Union Cemetery

Cemetery Decoration Guidelines & Graveside Maintenance

Cemetery Decoration Guidelines

To better serve all who entrust their beloved to our care and visit this cemetery, and to maintain Union Cemetery in a neat and presentable manner, the Board has instituted the following guidelines:

• Decorating the grave with fresh cut flowers is welcomed and encouraged.    

• Glass containers are not permitted at any burial site at any time.

• Artificial flowers, decorations or other ornaments are allowed at the discretion of the Union Cemetery Committee.

• Natural evergreen wreaths are permitted. 

• No planting of any kind may be done in the ground at grave sites; decorations deemed objectionable can be removed at the discretion of the Union Cemetery Committee.

• Flowers, plants and decorations placed on graves during the mowing season may be removed in order to carry out the normal lawn care and maintenance procedures.

• Special occasions such as holidays or holy days may necessitate special rules and instructions.

• Flowers placed at the time of an interment will be left a maximum of three days. It is suggested that potted plants from funerals not be left in the cemetery since they will be discarded. Union Cemetery cannot accept responsibility for ensuring that flowers and other decorations remain in place.

• Union Cemetery may remove unsightly (wilted flowers) decorations from graves, crypts and niches. Normally, spring clean-up begins in early March, weather permitting, and all winter decorations are removed at this time. Fall clean-up begins in October and all summer decorations are removed at this time.

•  Union Cemetery will not assume any liability for decorations placed on burial sites. We recommend that families take this into consideration when selecting flowers or decorations for graves, crypts or niches.

Schedule for Placement and Clean-up of Decorations/Flowers at Union Cemetery

                                   Placement         Clean-up

Christmas:              December 1st    January 15th

Valentine’s Day:    January 15th     February 28th

Spring/Easter:        March 1st          May 31st

Summer                   June 1st             September 30th

Fall/Thanksgiving  October 1st       November 30th

Decorations that are not holiday-specific are allowed at any time. However, those decorations must be kept neat, within the boundaries of the gravesite, and as close to the headstone as possible. This will allow grass cutting to take place without obstructions. Any decorations that hinder the upkeep of the gravesite/cemetery will be relocated on the gravesite or removed entirely. Unkept/unsightly gravesites will be cleaned up at the discretion of the Union Cemetery Board of Directors. A more exhaustive list of rules regarding gravesite upkeep is available upon request.

Grave Maintenance

A continuous process that is often affected by weather and vandalism or actual routine grooming of the cemetery itself.  

• The Board will contract services for the maintenance of grass and beautification projects.  

• Headstone Repair and Maintenance: Union Cemetery will not be responsible for the deterioration of or broken headstones. Each headstone event will be discussed by the Board to ensure uniformity.

• Power washing and annual clean-ups will be approved by the Board.

• Any installations that require construction will need approval by the Board.

•  Individual grave site agreements are subject to Board approval. 

• Any long term agreements to decorate or honor loved ones must be approved by the Board.

• Please review the decorations guidelines in this operation manual.

• The goal of Union Cemetery is that each week during the growing season cemetery personnel remove unsightly (wilted flowers) decorations from graves, crypts and niches. Normally, spring clean-up begins in early March, weather permitting, and all winter decorations are removed at this time. Fall clean-up begins in October and all summer decorations are removed at this time.

Interactive Cemetery Database Map