Dear Fellow Parishioners,
As Memorial Day is quickly approaching and our thoughts turn to those who have gone before us, we thought it would be a good idea to highlight the St. Philip Neri Cemetery rules relating to the adornment of our loved one’s grave sites.
The Cemetery Rules and Regulations regarding grave site decorations and adornments currently reads:
CEMETERY DECORATIONS
Safety and moderation are the two principles that govern the adornment of grave spaces. The planting of trees, shrubs and perennials is not allowed. No statues, wire racks, solar lights, chimes, etc. The only permitted Cemetery decoration on the grave site is annual flowers in approved ground containers from May to November, a wreath or artificial flowers from December to April, and an American Flag, in honor of our Veterans. No artificial flowers from May to November. Present statues must be maintained in good repair. Cemetery Management always has the right to remove any or all decorations when deemed necessary.
Each monument/memorial marker may have either a shepherd hook or a planter/flower pot.
A flower pot or planter, not to exceed 12 inches in height and 12 inches at its widest width, must be placed directly in front (west face) of the monument/memorial marker, or may be located to either the right or left of the monument/ memorial marker as grave site space allows. Shepherd hooks may only be utilized to support a single hanging basket, whose pot height may not exceed 8 inches and 12 inches wide at its top, and the top of the shepherd hook arch may not exceed 36 inches in height, measured from the ground. All shepherd hooks must be placed either to the immediate right or left and in line with the monument/memorial marker. Only one shepherd hook is allowed per monument/memorial marker. Alternatively, within sections 1 through 120 ONLY, each monument/memorial marker may have a permanent concrete planter/flower pot which may not exceed 18 inches in height and 18 inches in width and must be placed on a concrete foundation, not less in width and length than the base of the permanent planter/flower pot, abutting directly to the center of the foundation of the monument/memorial marker. This permanent planter/flower pot must be located on the back (east face) of the monument/memorial marker.
All planters/flower pots, whether on the ground or hanging from a shepherd hook, which are broken or otherwise not maintained, will be removed and discarded. All planters/flower pots and shepherd hooks must be removed by October 1st. Permanent concrete planter/flower pots are not required to be removed, however, all plants must be removed by October 1st. All permanent concrete planters/flower pots are required to be in good repair as determined by the cemetery management, and those in disrepair or not used by June 15th of each year shall be tagged and removed. If not claimed by the owner within six (6) months, the containers shall be considered abandoned and may be disposed of by the cemetery management.
St. Philip Neri Cemetery is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the area and a true blessing. These rules help to ensure the maintenance of its beauty and the safety of its visitors.
If you become aware of a memorial stone or foundation that requires attention, please notify John Dalton or the Parish Rectory.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Kim Hanchosky at the Parish Office, 231-326-5255 or contact John Dalton at 231-590-9877.