Flower & Decoration Policy

Rules

1. All flowers and decorations, including holiday decorations, must be placed in a permanent, cemetery-approved vase and be no taller than 30 inches. The vase may be integrated into an approved bronze or granite memorial or installed in an approved 10”x10″ granite base placed in front of an existing memorial. Only one vase is permitted per grave.
   
   
2. Fresh flowers may be left following a funeral (no glass, ceramic, or other breakable items) and will be removed once they are no longer fresh. If the grave does not have a memorial, a temporary marker will be placed. Flowers and decorations are not permitted until a permanent memorial and vase have been installed according to the guidelines outlined above.
   
   
3. When a memorial and vase are purchased through the cemetery, including a granite base for a military marker, (either paid in full or on payments) the cemetery will install a complimentary temporary vase. If a separate vase unit is part of the purchase and the account is paid in full, the permanent vase will be If a memorial is purchased without a vase, a temporary vase will be placed but removed once the memorial is installed.
   
   
4. The cemetery is open to the public; hence, we strongly encourage families to refrain from leaving items of sentimental or monetary value. The cemetery is not responsible for items that are displaced or stolen, including, but not limited to, flowers, decorations and vases.
   
   
5. Items that are not secured in a permanent cemetery-approved vase that are on, around, or above graves present serious safety hazards to visitors, staff, and equipment, particularly in grass sections, where lawn mowers and power edgers are regularly used. The same rules apply to the native landscaped sections where loose items increase the risks of trips and falls and create visual clutter that disrupts the natural beauty and peacefulness of the serene desert setting. Risks include, but are not limited to the following:
6. Projectiles (e.g. glass, ceramics, stones, beads, rocks, metal, statuary, breakables, lights, flags, balloons, and wires to name a few).
7. Equipment Damage (e.g. possible injury, costly repairs, and downtime).
8. Pest Infestation (e.g. food, candy and beverages attract ants, rodents, snakes, scorpions, and wildlife such as coyotes and javelinas).
   
   
9. To prevent fire hazards and permanent damage to memorials, benches, crypt and niche fronts, flooring, and other surfaces, the use of candles or adhesives – such as stickers, tape, or glue is strictly prohibited.
   
   
10. The following are not permitted: planting (flowers, grass, trees), artificial turf, digging, fencing, or decorative borders, as these interfere with the preparation of graves and routine maintenance.
    
    
11. Flowers and decorations removed by cemetery staff due to non-compliance, safety concerns, irreverence or during routine maintenance or the semi-annual clean up cannot be stored or returned.
    
    
12. Semi-annual removal of all flowers and decorations will take place between January 20th through 31st and July 20th through 31st. New flowers and decorations may be placed in a permanent cemetery-approved vase beginning February 1st and August 1st.

Thank you for helping us maintain a safe, clean, sacred and peaceful environment to honor, pray and remember our loved one.
– Diocese of Tucson Catholic Cemeteries

Policy subject to change. For most up-to-date version visit www.dotcc.org or call 520-888-0860.