Cemetery Etiquette
Our cemeteries are places of peace, and a place for healing. Please be courteous to those around you and respect the cemetery grounds. Here are a few rules of etiquette visitors to our cemetery should follow.
Be sympathetic to others
Use quiet voices in the cemetery, and don’t use offensive language. Do not play loud music whether that be over Bluetooth speakers, or in cars - especially with the windows down for everyone to hear.
teach your children about the cemetery
Do not let children run over the graves, scream, or play on the headstones. Teach your children that the cemetery is not a park for them to play but a place of peace and mourning to those around them. Exposing children to paying respects at the cemetery is encouraged, but often they do not understand the meaning of everything in the cemetery and require the guidance of their parents.
do your best to not walk over the graves
Common sense leads you to know the basic shape of a grave; walk in between the headstones, and don’t stand on top of the place of burial.
follow the cemetery rules
Near the entrance of most cemeteries is a sign stating hours, rules about decorations, etc. Obey these rules. Rules about decorations are in place to make sure the cemetery doesn't collect too much debris that the caretakers need to clean up. Flowers and other items are susceptible to the wind, be sure to ground decorations.
It would be especially nice if any trash along the way was picked up, regardless of who left it.
Try not to remain in the cemetery after dark
Most cemeteries are open from dawn to dusk.
Don't litter
This creates extra work for the caretakers, and shows disrespect to the other families who come to mourn their loved ones. “Leave it better than you found it” is a good rule of thumb: take your trash with you when you go, or put it in designated trash receptacles. It would be especially nice if any trash along the way was picked up, regardless of who left it.
Don't touch any monuments or gravestones
Permanent memorials are very meaningful to the families who placed them there. Older memorials might be in disrepair and might fall apart under the slightest touch.
Don't take photos of other people or other funerals
This is a very private time for people. It's best to stay clear of any funerals occurring, and don't get in the way of funeral processions.
