Woodside Cemetery and Arboretum

Decoration Policies

Graves & Lots Decoration Policies

In years past the placing of real flowers on the graves of our beloved did not present too great a problem to the cemetery even on special occasions such as Easter Day and Memorial Day. By the time the grass needed its next cutting the flowers had withered and were removed. With the advent of beautiful, lasting artificial flowers maintenance has become a serious problem for every cemetery, including ours. We find it impossible to first remove flowers then mow the grass and finally replace them to their proper place. Errors in replacing them are bound to occur. Wind alone blows many from the graves for which they were intended.

Floral decorations are welcome at Woodside Cemetery. Fresh flowers are not only welcome, they are appreciated. They add to the natural beauty of the cemetery.

Woodside has added green plastic vases on a stand at each entrance for use by our lot owners to place live flowers on your loved ones grave site. When live flowers had withered the vase will be recycled and placed back in the stand at each entrance.

Cutting and trimming of grass is one of the largest and most costly maintenance activities of your cemetery

However, to maintain the beauty of Woodside Cemetery and its reputation of careful maintenance, a few simple rules must be followed:

No more than two bouquets of flowers in a suitable container will be permitted at each grave.
Beautiful, and expensive, too, as artificial flowers and decorations are, we have no alternative but to restrict their use. Seasonal artificial decorations in good condition are permitted on monument stones only (or extensions where applicable) when securely attached or in permanently installed urns or vases and do not interfere with cemetery maintenance.
Winter decorations such as natural wreaths and other approved arrangements, placed on easels or in other approved containers, will be permitted from December 1 to March 1.
1. Winter Decorations may be removed if the become unsightly.
2. All winter decorations will be removed beginning March 1.
Decorations placed upon lots and graves on special holidays during the growing season - Easter, Mother's Day, Memorial Day, Father's Day, etc. - will be removed and discarded after a period of seven (7) days. If they are allowed to remain too long, they burn the grass.
Funeral flowers will be removed by the cemetery after a period of three (3) days.
The concrete border surrounding memorials is placed to aid in the maintenance of the grass and affords protection from damage by mowing equipment. Floral decorations placed on this border jeopardize its intention and create a hazard.
The use of pieces of wire, iron or steel to secure decorations in place is prohibited. Power mowers hitting easily broken objects, wires, etc., sometimes throw sharp pieces through the air for 100 feet or more, endangering the lives of workmen and visitors alike.
The placing in the cemetery of boxes, toys, shells, ornaments, bottles, vases, glass, wood or iron cases, plastic blocks, styrofoam, artificial animals, tin cans, wire, crockery, and bric-a-brac of any description will not be permitted.
Articles made of concrete - benches, urns, boxes are not permitted.
The cemetery reserves the right of preventing or removal of all floral designs, structures, and objects of any kind from the cemetery, if in the judgment of the General Manager, they shall be deemed injurious, to the general good appearance.

If in doubt about any decorations, please consult the cemetery office for information and assistance. No liability is assumed by the cemetery for decorations.

Trash containers are placed throughout the cemetery for your convenience. On holidays we are unable to keep them from overflowing and would appreciate your assistance by taking with you all paper, boxes, etc., which you brought.

Your assistance and cooperation in helping to keep your cemetery beautiful at all times is greatly appreciated.

Mausoleum Decoration Policy

Updated April 1, 1984

In the past few years, Woodside Cemetery Association has observed a relaxed decoration policy at the Woodside Cemetery Garden Mausoleum. However, in response to complaints received around Memorial Day 1983, due to the large numbers of decorations related to the increase in occupied crypts, the Board of Trustees has reviewed the decoration policy. It is the desire of this Board of Trustees to give crypt owners maximum latitude while maintaining the Mausoleum as a sacred and dignified memorial dedicated to the departure of loved ones. WIth this thought and concern the new decoration policy will be as follows.

All decorations must be tagged with the name of the entombed person on an appropriate tag. If they are not tagged they may be removed. Only one decoration per entombment will be permitted. Glass or metal containers, or stands are not allowed at any time.

Artificial decorations in front of the crypt are allowed only during November thru April.

All live decorations will be removed every Thursday morning, except after a Holiday, when live decorations will be removed after three days.

All Christmas decorations will be removed by March 1st.

This policy will be posted in front of the Mausoleum for the information of family and friends. If this policy does not resolve the overcrowding, the Board of Trustees feels that further action may be necessary.

If in doubt about any decoration, please consult the cemetery office for information and assistance. Your assistance and cooperation in helping to keep your cemetery beautiful at all times is appreciated.

Cremation Scattering Garden Decoration Policy

Updated January 1, 2006

No artificial decoration in ground cover will be permitted at any time.

Artificial decorations will be allowed only during November thru April around center monument.

A clean-up will occur every Thursday. Any decoration deemed to be unsightly will be removed.

No glass or metal containers, or stands are permitted at any time. All Christmas decoration will be removed by March 1st.