Why are vigil lights, small statues or other similar decorations not permitted?
Planting regulations reflect the need to address both safety and maintenance concerns. Besides the possibility of loss or damage, such items impede the care and maintenance of the cemetery by interfering with our trimming crews. Also, hard plastic or metal objects hit by a trimmer can become a flying projectile capable of hitting another worker or a visitor. As part of a community, our desires need to be balanced in consideration of those around us and we appreciate your understanding.
Why can’t artificial flowers be used all year long?
Though permitted during the winter months, artificial flowers impede maintenance during the growing season. A planted flower bed will help to restrict the growth of weeds, while artificial decorations do not. Weeds can also grow through the artificial decoration, making it extremely difficult to maintain the site.
It doesn’t appear that the area around my monument has been trimmed lately.
St. Agnes Cemetery follows a regular maintenance schedule which includes mowing at least weekly and trimming around memorials at least once every two weeks. However, since weeds do thrive during peak periods of spring rains as well as during the dry summer season, it may appear that your site hasn’t received recent care. Should you feel particular attention is warranted, please feel free to call our office.
When we visited our gravesite, fresh soil is now where grass had previously been established. Was my gravesite opened or disturbed?
Our field office staff take very seriously their responsibilities for those entrusted to our care. It is possible that some natural settling may have occurred and your site has received additional soil. If an interment has occurred nearby, the turf of your and neighboring sites may have been disturbed due to the sandy nature of the soil as well as the depth and equipment used to open that site. When your grave was originally opened, the turf layers of adjacent sites were similarly affected. However, please note that only the uppermost turf layer is disturbed. If field staff consider it necessary to remove plants or your monument to protect them from damage, they will be replaced as soon as possible. Monuments will be replaced after the interment is completed, and wherever possible, plantings are replaced as soon as weather conditions allow us to re-seed/restore the site. While full restoration is not possible during the winter months, all needed sites are reseeded as soon as weather conditions permit.
Why is my monument sinking and is there a charge to raise it?
Unfortunately, even with the newest technology of installing beams/piers to support memorials, over time, it is still possible that a granite memorial will begin to sink into the lighter-density soil/sand earth. Should you wish to have a memorial raised, the Cemetery can raise and recap the foundation at a reasonable fee.
Is it necessary to bury/entomb the cremated remains of a loved one?
In keeping with the Church’s tradition, cremated remains are to be treated with the same respect we give to the body of the deceased. Scattering, dividing or keeping cremated remains at home are not considered the reverent disposition that the Church requires. Cremated remains are to be buried/entombed, preferably in a Catholic Cemetery, and following all the rites provided by the Order of Christian Funerals.