Att 3 - San Antonio National Cemetery Floral Policy.docx

SAN ANTONIO NATIONAL CEMETERY

FLORAL POLICY

Fresh cut flowers are permitted on graves year round. Flowers may be removed to facilitate cemetery operations such as lawn mowing and grounds maintenance.

Flower pick-up dates are posted on “Next Flower Pick-Up” signs posted at cemetery entrances. During flower pick-up dates, all items, including flags, will be removed from graves and will not be retained. Persons who placed items on graves may recover those items from their loved one’s gravesites prior to the scheduled pick-up dates.

In order to preserve the dignity of the cemetery, items placed on graves must be floral in nature.

NO GLASS or METAL of any kind is allowed. This includes but not limited to items such as statues, vigil lights, shepherd’s hooks, breakable objects of any nature, and other commemorative items which are not permitted on gravesites. Items NOT PERMITTED on gravesites will be removed.

Artificial flowers may be placed on graves but may be removed as soon as they become faded and unsightly or interfere with grounds maintenance operations, particularly during the grass growing season.

All fresh cut and artificial flowers must be in plastic vases - No other containers are allowed. Plastic vases are provided at the cemetery and are located in receptacles throughout the cemetery and should be returned to the receptacles when no longer needed. The Cemetery provides plastic vases and are Federal property and should not be removed from the cemetery. Please limit to two vases per gravesite.

All flowers should be displayed in a manner so as not to completely cover the headstone. Floral items and other types of decorations may not be secured or adhered to headstones, markers or niche covers at any time. If found they will be removed.

Plantings are not permitted at any time. Potted plants are only permitted on gravesites 10 days before and 10 days after Easter.

Christmas wreaths or grave blankets are permitted on graves during the Christmas season from December 1st until January 20th of each year. Grave floral blankets may not be larger than 2 feet by 3 feet. Christmas trees of any kind ARE NOT permitted on the gravesites.

Cemetery trees, shrubs and/or any other plants may not be decorated with any ornaments of any kind at ANY TIME.

The Cemetery Director reserves the right to remove and destroy, without notice, anything left on graves that violates the intent of these policies/regulations, offends the sensibilities of the public, or the dignity of this cemetery, is an eyesore, or threat to the safety of the public or cemetery personnel.

Headstones are Federal property. Altering or marking by paint, marker, lipstick or any other means is considered vandalism and may be subject to penalty as defined in Title 38 U.S. Code of Federal Regulations, Sec. 1.218 Security and law enforcement at VA facilities.

Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery assumes no responsibility for items left on gravesites. Due to the open nature of the grounds, we cannot guarantee against theft, vandalism or the effects of nature. Anyone caught removing items from gravesites not their own will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Questions concerning cemetery floral policy should be directed to cemetery staff.