0011 NCA Floral Policy.pdf

Department of Veterans Affairs National Cemetery Administration Washington, DC 20420

NCA DIRECTIVE 3425

Transmittal Sheet

July 16, 2025

FLORAL POLICY IN VA NATIONAL CEMETERIES

1. REASON FOR ISSUE: This issuance provides technical changes only and recertifies policy and responsibilities related to National Cemetery Administration (NCA) floral policy.

2. SUMMARY OF CHANGES: There are no substantive changes and provides only technical corrections. These changes involve streamlining the conditions/placement of authorized items and updating the related publication.

3. RESPONSIBLE OFFICE: National Cemetery Administration, Executive Director, Cemetery Operations (41A), 810 Vermont Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20420, is responsible for the contents of this directive. Please submit any questions to NCA Cemetery Operations mailbox at ncacemeteryoperations@va.gov.

4. RELATED PUBLICATION: NCA Directive 3000 – Operational Standards and Measures for VA National Cemeteries.

5. RESCISSION: This directive supersedes the previous issuance NCA Directive 3425, Floral Policy in VA National Cemeteries, (January 3, 2020).

6. RECERTIFICATION: This document is scheduled for recertification not later than five

(5) years from the date of issuance.

/s/

Ronald E. Walters Acting Under Secretary for Memorial Affairs

Distribution: Electronic Only

T-1

July 16, 2025 NCA Directive 3425

FLORAL POLICY IN VA NATIONAL CEMETERIES

1. PURPOSE/AUTHORITY:

a. This directive provides policy and assigns responsibilities related to NCA policy and procedures for the placement of floral arrangements, and the removal, storage, and disposition of floral and personal items placed at gravesites in Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) national cemeteries. The policy will assist NCA staff in fulfilling the mission to maintain its cemeteries as national shrines dedicated to honoring the memory of those who served in the Armed Forces.

b. Among the provisions in this directive is the requirement that cemetery directors dispose of personal property left at gravesites. Authority for this provision is found in the Federal Management Regulation (FMR) regarding the disposition of seized, forfeited, voluntarily abandoned, and unclaimed personal property in title 41 Code of Federal Regulations Chapter 102-41. Specifically, section 102-41.85(b) provides that an agency may retain or dispose of voluntarily abandoned personal property, including destroying the property without public notice when the estimated resale value of the property is less than $500. Floral and personal items left at gravesites generally cost less than $500. Cemeteries must adhere to the guidance on removing, holding and disposing of floral items found in paragraph 6(c).

2. POLICY: It is NCA policy that each national cemetery will allow visitors to place floral arrangements and other seasonal items on gravesites to commemorate and honor those interred while balancing NCA requirements to operate and maintain cemeteries as national shrines and to provide a safe environment for visitors and employees.

Note: This policy does not apply to flags left at gravesites. At the date of issuance of this directive, the authorized placement of gravesite flags is addressed in NCA Notice 2022- 03 Interim Policy Regarding Flag Displays in National Cemeteries. This policy will be incorporated in NCA Directive 3220 Flag Displays in National Cemeteries, which is currently being updated. NCA Notice 2022-03 will be rescinded upon issuance of the updated directive.

3. RESPONSIBILITIES:

a. Executive Director of Cemetery Operations is responsible for:

(1) Establishing floral policy for VA national cemeteries.

(2) Consulting with District Executive Directors concerning any variance not explicitly covered in this directive.

b. District Executive Directors are responsible for:

(1) Enforcing NCA policy in accordance with this directive at cemeteries within the District.

(2) Ensuring each cemetery has a standard operating procedure (SOP) for implementing the policies in this directive.

(3) Consulting with the Executive Director, Cemetery Operations concerning any variance not explicitly covered in this directive.

c. Cemetery Directors are responsible for:

(1) Enforcing NCA policy in accordance with this directive.

(2) Establishing and maintaining an SOP consistent with the policies in this directive.

(3) Establishing the period when artificial flowers are permitted.

(4) Establishing local floral pick-up schedules.

(5) Posting the floral policy at the cemetery in visually prominent areas accessible by the public.

(6) Posting the floral policy on the cemetery’s public-facing website and social media if applicable.

(7) Supervising and training cemetery personnel and cemetery designated personnel on the appropriate display of permissible floral arrangements and other seasonal items within the cemetery in accordance with this directive and the local SOP.

(8) Maintaining an adequate supply of approved cemetery-provided floral containers that are clean and in good repair for visitor use.

(9) Providing bins that are well marked, clean, and in good repair for adequately storing cemetery-provided vases to prevent the spread of insect-borne diseases.

(10) Establishing an appropriate area, away from public view, for temporary storage of items retrieved from gravesites.

(11) Removing, holding, and disposing of floral and other items left at gravesites in accordance with this directive.

(12) Consulting with the District Executive Director concerning any variance not explicitly covered in this directive.

4. AUTHORIZED ITEMS:

a. The following floral and seasonal items are permitted for placement at gravesites and memorial walls and sections in VA national cemeteries at designated times and subject to the specified conditions.

ITEM ALLOWABLE TIME CONDITIONS/PLACEMENT

Fresh cut floral arrangements Allowable any time of year. Visitors will use cemetery-supplied floral containers.

Fresh and artificial floral arrangements placed at gravesites can not completely cover the headstone or marker or encroach upon an adjacent gravesite. Fresh and artificial floral arrangements will be no taller than 24 inches, unless otherwise approved by the cemetery director.

On the day of interment, fresh cut flowers and sprays may be placed at or on gravesites without the use of cemetery-supplied floral containers.

Cemetery Directors may exercise discretion in the timing of the removal of these items with appropriate sensitivity to the families and visitors.

At columbaria, visitors may place floral arrangements at the bottom of a niche column.

To ensure space for other visitors, floral arrangements will be limited to one per niche in any given column.

Artificial floral arrangements

Allowable during time period established by the Cemetery Director based on operational requirements for grounds maintenance activities.

At a minimum, cemeteries will allow artificial floral arrangements five days before and after Memorial Day.

Wreaths and grave blankets

Allowable during December and January.

*Specific timeframe may be adjusted locally due to growing season or operational needs

Grave blankets must be no larger than 2 feet by 3 feet.

5. PROHIBITED ITEMS:

a. The following items are prohibited for placement at gravesites and memorial walls and sections in VA national cemeteries. If such items are left at gravesites, cemetery personnel will consider these items voluntarily abandoned property and will remove them upon discovery with appropriate sensitivity to the families and visitors. Published floral policy will advise visitors not to leave items of value at gravesites.

CEMETERY STANDARD PROHIBITED ITEM

To preserve the dignity and appearance of the cemetery:

Balloons, pinwheels, shepherd’s hooks, wind chimes, lights, statues, stuffed animals, alcoholic and tobacco products, or other similar items.

Offensive items or those deemed inconsistent with the cemetery setting.

Permanent, in-ground plantings.

Non-government supplied floral containers (e.g., pots, planter, vases, etc.).

Permanent in-ground floral containers (Existing permanent in-ground floral containers may stay at cemeteries established before 1974).

To maintain a safe environment for visitors and staff:

Breakable items of any kind, such as vigil lights, glass vases, or decorative glass or plastic items.

Candles, explosives, weapons of any kind, or ammunition.

Any objects that could become projectiles when caught in grounds maintenance equipment, such as rocks, coins, or other small durable objects.

*Note: Placement of rocks and coins on a gravesite may reflect religious and/or military traditions. Cemetery Directors may exercise discretion in the timing of the removal of these items with appropriate sensitivity to families and visitors.

To preserve the appearance and facilitate maintenance of government-furnished headstones and markers:

Any object placed on or attached to headstones, markers, or niche covers.

6. REMOVAL, HOLDING, AND DISPOSAL OF FLORAL ITEMS:

a. Floral and other items placed in a VA national cemetery are under the custodianship of VA and are therefore governed by rules for disposal of Federal property. Cemetery personnel will remove, hold, and dispose of items left at gravesites as outlined below that are in violation of the conditions stated in this directive.

b. Removal:

(1) Cemetery personnel or contractors will remove floral arrangements and other personal items from gravesites in accordance with floral pick-up schedules established by the cemetery and when conducting grounds maintenance activities.

(2) Fresh floral and artificial arrangements, wreaths, and grave blankets placed at gravesites will be removed in accordance with the cemetery’s pick-up schedule, or when they become withered, faded or unsightly.

(3) Prohibited items will be removed upon discovery with appropriate sensitivity to the families and visitors.

c. Holding: As a courtesy, personal items, removed prohibited items and artificial floral arrangements that are in good condition will be stored in an inconspicuous holding area for a period of not less than 30 days. During that time cemetery personnel will assist families who request to retrieve those personal items.

d. Disposal: Items that are not in good condition will not be placed in the holding area but will be disposed of immediately without notice. Personal items removed from gravesites which are not retrieved during the 30-day holding period may be disposed of consistent with the rules governing the disposal of Federal property. Cash found at gravesites will be deposited into the cemetery’s general gift fund.

7. REFERENCES:

a. 40 U.S.C. §121(c).

b. 41 C.F.R. §102-41.85, Voluntarily Abandoned Personal Property.

c. 41 C.F.R. §102-41.125, Disposition of Seized, Forfeited, Voluntarily Abandoned, And Unclaimed Personal Property.

d. NCA Directive 3000, Operational Standards and Measures for VA National Cemeteries (9/19/2024).

e. VA Directive 7348, Utilization and Disposal of Personal Property.

f. 38 C.F.R. §1.218, Security and Law Enforcement at VA Facilities.

8. DEFINITIONS:

a. Floral Arrangement: Floral and plant matter, real or artificial, and the container used to hold those items.

b. Floral Container: Containers provided by a VA national cemetery to hold floral arrangements.

c. Grave Blanket: A blanket of intertwined branches or man-made material in the shape of a blanket used as an alternative to flowers during winter months.

d. Gravesite: A burial location in a national cemetery; inclusive of all burial types (casketed, in-ground cremains, and columbaria).

e. Personal Items: Refers to any item left on gravesites by visitors, such as pictures, floral arrangements, coins, and other mementos, that may be of personal or sentimental value.

f. Vigil Light: A candle or small light kept burning before a shrine or gravesite.

g. Voluntarily Abandoned Property: Personal property abandoned to any Federal agency in a way that immediately vests title to the property in the Government. There must be written or circumstantial evidence that the property was intentionally or voluntarily abandoned, such as placement of the property at a gravesite. This evidence should be clear that the property was not simply lost by the owner.