Cremation Garden Decoration Policy

Cremation Garden Decoration Policy

The following information is provided as guidelines for cemetery procedures.

We ask for your cooperation by visiting your loved ones in a reverent and respectful way. Please abide by these rules and regulations so that all families may feel welcome when visiting the Catholic Cemeteries.

To maintain a neat and uncluttered appearance in the garden, the decorations that are placed in the garden will be checked periodically and any dead or unsightly decorations will be removed and disposed. Any decorations that do not conform to the above rules and regulations will also be removed and disposed.

• Please limit decorations to one per lot.
• Black or bronze shepherd’s hooks not to exceed 60 inches high and containing only one hook are permitted. They may not be homemade and must be placed firmly in the ground adjacent to your memorial.
• Pin vases with artificial flowers are permitted (live flowers are not permitted because standing water can lead to increased mosquito growth).
• Flower pots of 6 to 8 inches in diameter are permitted. Height of entire decoration not to exceed 18 inches.
• All containers should be constructed of wood or plastic.
• All additional decorations items (such as flags, statues, flameless candles, or other personal items) must be contained in the flower container and not placed directly into the ground.
• Catholic Cemetery Memorial Portraits may be affixed to most of the cremation memorials. Please contact the office for more information.
• Bronze Veteran's medallions provided by the Veteran’s Administration are permitted.
• No other items may be affixed to the cremation memorials.
• Candles are not permitted.
• Bird feeders and wind chimes are not permitted.
• Removing, changing, added to or altering the natural landscape of trees, plants, mulch etc. is not permitted.
• Please refrain from feeding the Koi fish (at the Cremation Garden of St. Francis at All Saints Cemetery in Des Plaines, IL)

Reverence and Respect

We encourage the placement of decorations. We will be as careful as possible with our normal interment and maintenance activities. We regret that we cannot guarantee that all decorations will be free from damage or loss, and we cannot accept responsibility for these occurrences.

Please remember that cemeteries are open to the public, we are not responsible in the event that placements are moved, stolen, or damage/loss sustained from natural occurrences.

The Catholic Cemetery is a Sacred Place. These sacred grounds are blessed by the Church and dedicated as a place of prayer and dignity for our faithful departed.

Some behaviors are prohibited because they can disturb the sacredness of the cemetery.

The following are not allowed on cemetery grounds:

• Alcoholic beverages
• Grilling
• Coolers
• Loud / live music
• Picnics
• Lawn games
• Tents or canopies
• Unlicensed vehicles
• Firearms or weapons
• Pets roaming free

The Catholic Cemeteries reserves the right to change the following policies and procedures without notice.

To download the Cremation Garden Decoration Policy, please click here.