Decorations & Visitation Policies

General Policy

From the earliest times in the Church's tradition, believers have decorated the places of interment of their loved ones with words and symbols reflecting their strong faith in the continuing presence of the Lord in life and death and their firm hope in the resurrection as the promise of everlasting life. The properties maintained by the Association are Sacred Places and as such must be maintained in a manner which is respectful of all those who have entrusted their loved ones to us. In order to maintain the condition of the cemeteries and to be considerate of one another, it is necessary to limit the nature and type of decorations permitted throughout these Sacred Places. It is the policy of the Association that any item or object other than a flush bouquet holder, marker or monument is considered a decoration or grave accessory (hereinafter collectively "decoration"). It is imperative that all decorations be placed in compliance with these Rules and Regulations and any amendments thereto promulgated by the Association from time to time.

Flowers at the time of Interment: Immediately following an interment, the flowers from the funeral may be placed on or near the place of interment. Placement and removal of flowers shall be as follows: (i) in the case of an interment in a grave, the funeral flowers may be placed directly on the grave, the flowers will be removed and discarded after forty-eight (48) hours; (ii) in the case of a columbarium, due to the small area, not more than three (3) bouquets may be placed near the place of interment and they will be removed and discarded at the end of the work day; (iii) in the case of an interment in a mausoleum, not more than three (3) bouquets may be placed inside the mausoleum either near the place of interment or at the entrance to the mausoleum and the flowers will be removed and discarded at the end of the work day. Due to the fact that Mausoleum space is limited, it is necessary to limit the number of flowers placed in a mausoleum or near a columbarium after an interment.

Decorations

From March 16 until October 31, only fresh flowers in approved bouquet holders are permitted, other than holidays as noted. Please contact the front office for information regarding approved bouquet holders. Wilted flowers will be removed every Tuesday to allow the Cemetery staff to cut the grass without as many obstacles. Artificial flowers will be removed immediately and discarded. The Association maintains fresh flowers throughout the cemetery in the cutting beds. The use of the fresh flowers located in such beds is encouraged to minimize the non-biodegradable materials being discarded.

Artificial Flowers or Decorations: Artificial flowers and decorations are permitted from November 1 until March 15. Due to the danger to persons and property, artificial decorations are not permitted during the growing season, other than certain holidays, as noted. Any artificial flowers found at a place of interment between March 16 and October 31, will be removed and discarded.

Winter Season: From November 1 until March 15 artificial decorations and live winter decorations are permitted. Grave blankets, mounds, cones and other similar grave accessories are not permitted because they become a shelter for animals.

Seasonal Crosses: During those occasions when artificial decorations are permitted and between November 1 until March 15, families whose deceased loved ones are interred in a flush marker section may place a seasonal cross to better identify the place of interment. To protect the safety of all our visitors and our employees, and to assist in the reduction of incidents of equipment damage, all crosses with spikes or stakes which are not securely fastened to the cross are prohibited and will be removed immediately.

Christmas Decoration Removal: All Christmas decorations will be removed and discarded on January 31, with the exception of live wreaths and live crosses that have not browned. The live wreaths and live crosses will be removed when they have browned or on March 15. Seasonal crosses and artificial wreaths, artificial flowers, including poinsettia plants will not be removed prior to March 15th, if they comply with these Rules and Regulations.

Decorations which are in glass or metal cans are subject to immediate removal because of the danger they present to persons and property. Only approved bouquet holders may be used for decorations. Federal Law requires us to make working conditions as safe as possible for Association employees.

Glass: All glass decorations and any lights, such as Christmas lights, are never permitted and will be removed and discarded.

Candles or Flame Decorations: Votive candles of any kind and any decorations which include a flame, either live or solar powered, are prohibited on places of interment and will be removed. The Association has established certain areas in various mausoleums and other locations for low voltage, electric votive lights. To protect persons and property from injury or damage, only those lights provided by the Association may be used. Please contact the cemetery office for further information.

"Natures Beauty Makes the Best Decorations.": Plastic and Styrofoam grave decorations do not decompose nor are they good for the earth. Due to limited space, many landfills are no longer accepting such materials. The Association recommends using only fresh flowers which can be obtained in the cutting gardens located throughout the cemetery. Please use natural products to honor your loved ones.

The Association recommends that all decorations be clearly marked with the name, section and lot for identification purposes. In the event of a burial near any place of interment, it may be necessary to move some or all decorations. Proper marking of the decoration will facilitate its return to the appropriate location. Should an item be removed from a place of interment by the employees of the Association, every reasonable effort will be made to return the decoration to its appropriate location as work load and labor constraints permit. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Association is not responsible for any items which are lost, stolen or misplaced.

Planting of any kind in any area of the cemetery is prohibited and will be removed.

Decorations, including but not limited to, marble chips, stones, wood chips, bricks, lucky stones, etc, are not permitted around the place of interment.

The Association shall not be responsible for any decorations or personal effects left on any part of the cemetery property, including but not limited to any place of interment.

Trees and shrubs are for the beautification of the entire cemetery and for the benefit of all of the families, therefore, decorations placed on any trees, shrubs or cemetery structures will be removed.

Height and Width: Decorations in excess of 36 inches high or 34 inches wide are not permitted and will be removed. In the case of baby graves, the width of the decoration shall not exceed 22 inches.

Crypt and Niche Decorations: As crypt and niche fronts are a part of the building structure, only Association approved and installed crypt and niche front decorations are permitted. Fresh flower arrangements are not permitted as decoration in the mausoleums, as their deterioration can damage the crypt and niche fronts.  The use of non-approved adhesives or tape can cause damage to the granite crypt and niche fronts. Moreover, non-approved decorations, which may cause discoloration and other damage, can diminish the beauty of the entire building, affecting the rights of others. Items attached to the crypt and niche fronts will be removed and the cost of repair may be assessed to the owner of the place of interment or their surviving heirs.

All items which are deemed by the Association to be in violation of the Rules and Regulations will be removed and discarded. The Association is not responsible for any item which is discarded. Further, neither the Association nor the Roman Catholic Diocese of Cleveland is responsible for any item placed on a place of interment and/or removed from a place of interment.

Grave accessories not covered by these Rules and Regulations are subject to removal.

Visitation Policies & Procedures

In order to promote the safety and comfort of all visitors to the Catholic Cemeteries, the Association requires that visitors comply with all the Rules and Regulations contained herein and any amendments to the rules and regulations as may be promulgated from time to time.

Persons not otherwise refused admission to the Cemetery shall be invitees of the Cemetery to whom the Association only owes a duty to maintain, in a reasonably safe condition, those portions of the Cemetery open to visitors, including portions used for travel.

Persons visiting the Cemetery should exercise caution while walking over the grounds, as circumstances beyond the control of the Association may affect the conditions of the grounds. It should always be presumed that the ground is uneven and the granite markers are slippery.

Persons within the Cemetery grounds shall use only the avenues, roads, walks and paths therein designated for public use. Anyone who shall leave these designated passageways and enter a portion of the Cemetery restricted to use by the Association or its employees shall be considered trespassing.

Children: Children under sixteen (16) years of age are not permitted within the Cemetery unless accompanied by an adult.

Animals: No animals shall be permitted within the Cemetery at any time.

A complete copy of the "Rules and Regulations of the Catholic Cemeteries Association, Diocese of Cleveland," may be obtained at each cemetery location.