CARING FOR GOD’S ACRE

In conjunction with

The Catholic Cemeteries Association of

The Archdiocese of Hartford

Cemeteries, like homes and neighborhoods, can be beautiful and attractive, or cluttered and untidy.  This appearance depends in part on the cemetery regulations. Only by your cooperation and adherence to these rules and by our strict enforcement can we attain our common goal.

The cemetery has established fair and reasonable rules and regulations.  They are essential for the cemetery to be attractive and well maintained without placing an unfair financial burden on our families. Rules and regulations are subject to change. Any conflict between rules and regulations previously adopted shall be resolved in favor of current rules and regulations. Removal and disposal of decorations is an every increasing operating expense without any source of revenue. Environmental controls do not permit burning, so all debris must be hauled away from the cemetery.  Mowing and trimming expenses are greatly increased by decorations. We ask you not to over decorate, both for aesthetic reasons, and to help keep maintenance and disposal costs within bounds. It is not necessary that graves be decorated at all times.

Many people visit the cemetery. It is therefore, very difficult to control the activity of every visitor.  We regret we cannot guarantee decorations from damage or disappearance.

Knowing of our mutual desire to have a well kept cemetery, listed are some of the applicable regulations.

 SUMMER

1. Upright Monument Lots: When burials are in front of the upright monument, the planting of annual flowers is permitted only in the 10 inch area directly in front of the monument, not to exceed the length of the monument base. When burials are both in the front and rear of the monument, the planting of annual flowers is permitted in the front and rear of the monument within the 10 inch area, not to exceed the length of the monument.

2.  Flush Marker Lots: Planting of flowers is prohibited.

3. Artificial Decorations of any kind are not permitted between April 15 and November 20.

4. Potted Plants and flower boxes on both monument and non-monument lots are allowed only during the ten day period following Palm and Easter Sunday, Mothers and Fathers Day and Memorial Day. Potted plants dug into the soil will be immediately removed.

5. New Shrubbery is not permitted on individual lots. Existing shrubs will be removed by the cemetery at such time as they become overgrown.

WINTER

Winter decorations are permitted November 20^th to March 15^th  These decorations may consist of wreaths, artificial flowers or boughs or evergreens placed in a flower box. No decoration can exceed 2 feet in length x 2 feet in width x 2 feet in height. These dates were chosen for good reason. It is mid-November before all leaves have fallen. It takes several more weeks to remove them. If decorations are placed before leaves are removed, the leaves would become enmeshed in the decorations making it impossible to remove them. In addition, power blowers are used to collect leaves, which may damage decorations.

Placement of decorations. On upright monument lots decorations are confined to the 2 foot area adjacent to the monument on the burial side of the monument. When burials are in front of the upright monument the decoration is to be placed directly in front of the monument. When burials are both in front and rear of the monument, a decoration is permitted in front and rear of the monument. Decorations on the side of the monument base are prohibited.

Decorations improperly placed make it impossible for equipment to excavate graves and clear snow. Decorations and wires freeze to the ground and cannot be removed without breaking. Frequently, they are buried in the snow and cannot be seen. Sometimes, damage occurs during winter interments despite exercising all reasonable caution and, therefore, the cemetery cannot be responsible for damage.

Removal of winter decorations. All decorations are removed and disposed of beginning March 15^th. Decorations will not be retained by the cemetery. If you wish to retain any of these decorations, you must remove them prior to this date. If weather conditions do not permit removal at this time they will be removed as soon as practical after this date.

Palm Sunday-Easter. When Easter occurs prior to April 15^th, artificial flowers may be used. They will be removed 10 days after Easter. We urge families to remove them prior to this time, as they can be used for several seasons. Artificial flowers are not allowed after April 15^th. Palm has been blessed and therefore, should not be used as a cemetery decoration.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL ALLOWABLE GRAVE DECORATIONS ARE STATED ABOVE. NO OTHER ITEMS ARE TO BE PLACED ON GRAVES.