CATHOLIC CEMETERIES DIOCESE OF SAGINAW
General Rules & Regulations
Flowers & Decorations
The Catholic Cemeteries Diocese of Saginaw reserves the right for the good of all to regulate the method of decorations of graves and crypt or niche faces. It is important to understand that decorations must be done in such a fashion that it does not infringe upon adjacent spaces or create either a hazard or an unattractive situation, which may be offensive to other families with adjacent spaces.
The rules and regulations are as follows:
- No planting of any kind may be done in the ground at gravesites without consulting the cemetery office. Live floral arrangements in approved ring stands with clay or plastic 10” pots are the norm for all Diocesan Cemeteries. Ring stands are limited to one per grave space.
- No ring stands, baskets, potted plants or vases may be placed on the inside or outside area surrounding the Mausoleum or Cremation Columbaria areas. This includes the cement walkway and grassy areas around the Mausoleum or Cremation columbaria.
- Care must be taken to protect both visitors and cemetery workers from injury. For this reason, artificial flowers are not permitted on graves in the cemeteries during the growing season (March 31 thru October 31). Because of the danger from breakage, glass containers will not be permitted to remain at any burial site.
- Only approved flower vases may be placed within the cemetery and must be installed by cemetery personnel only. For ground burials, the vase is either a retractable permanent type that is integrated within the memorial or placed separately in front of the memorial, or an upright permanent type attached to the monument base. The Catholic Cemeteries cannot be responsible for replacement or repair costs for vases or personal items at the site.
- Artificial flowers may be placed at gravesites from November 1 thru March 31. Artificial flowers are allowed on mausoleum crypts and cremation niche fronts all year round, except during spring and fall cleanup.
- Potted plants that are not in ring stands are allowed on special occasions such as birthdays, the anniversary of death or marriage, Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day and Father’s Day. These will be removed in seven days from the date of the holiday. Potted plants not in ring stands placed for birthdays, anniversaries or any other special occasion must have approval from the cemetery office. The office will issue a special tag to be placed on the arrangement.
- Cemetery approved vases are available at the cemetery office for both mausoleum crypt and cremation niche fronts.
- Flowers placed at the time of service will be left a minimum of three days except when weather conditions significantly affect the appearance of flowers based on the judgment of cemetery personnel. The Diocese of Saginaw Catholic Cemeteries cannot accept responsibility for ensuring that flowers and other decorations remain in place.
- Boxes, sea-shells, toys, cans, balloons, cards, glass items, edging, mulch, bricks, patio blocks, landscaping stones etc., are not allowed on graves, lots, trees, crypt fronts, niche fronts or anywhere in the cemetery.
- Vigil lights are permitted directly in front or at the side of the marker/monument, at grave and lawn crypt sites only. They are not allowed in or around the mausoleums or cremation columbaria. Proper maintenance of vigil lights is the sole responsibility of the owner.
- Solar powered vigil lights with a steel stake are allowed, but must be approved by the cemetery office. They are to be placed directly in front of or to the side of the marker/monument, at grave and lawn crypt sites only. They are not allowed in or around the mausoleums or cremation columbaria.
- Statues are permitted on upright monument bases only and must be adhered to the base (one statue per monument). Statues must not extend beyond the base (for safety reasons). Any infraction of this rule will result in immediate removal of statues not in compliance. Before placement check with office to make sure you are in compliance with this regulation.
- Flags are permitted on Memorial Day, Flag Day, Veterans Day and Fourth of July and should be removed within twenty-four hours after the holiday or they will be removed by cemetery personnel. Flags placed at any other times will be removed without notice.
- Our staff begins Fall Cleanup October 15th. Please remove all articles by October 14th. Any personal items left after October 14th will be removed and discarded.
- Grave blankets and wreaths are allowed on graves only November 1st thru March 31st.
- Articles must be removed by March 31st to allow for Spring Cleanup. Anything left after March 31st will be removed and discarded. Please place any decorations as close to the marker/monument as possible.
- Any item not allowed in the cemetery will be removed without notice.
- Animals (except “seeing-eye” or “physical assistance” dogs) are not permitted on cemetery grounds at any time.
- Skateboarding, roller-blading, ice- skating or cross- country skiing are not permitted in the cemetery.
- Only cemetery personnel or contractors employed by the Catholic Cemeteries Diocese of Saginaw may perform work or use power equipment on our grounds.
- The cemetery is not responsible for the loss or damage to ring stands, vigil lights, vases and any other items placed at the cemetery.
- Shepard hooks of any variety are not permitted anywhere in the cemetery.
Grounds/Mausoleum: The cemeteries are open seven days a week from dawn to dusk for the convenience of individuals and families wishing to visit. You may obtain a key from the cemetery office for the mausoleum so you may visit at your convenience.
Cemetery Offices: Office hours are Mon-Fri 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. (noon) and 12:30 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Kawkawlin Office: Mon-Fri 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. and 12:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Midland Office: Wed,Thurs, & Fri, 8:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Times other than those listed are by appointment only.
June 2018