Landscaping items such as blocks, bricks, borders (concrete/plastic/wood), edging, stones and tile are prohibited in all municipal cemeteries. They create obstacles for burials, become abandoned/unmaintained and can present safety concerns. They also increase the cost of grass cutting.
While landscaping is not allowed, by-laws do permit interment rights holders to install a flower bed. Flower beds are not to exceed the width of the monument base and can extend up to 12" in front of upright monuments. While flower beds cannot be edged with landscaping materials, they can contain natural mulch with annual flowers. Trees are not permitted on any lot. Any planting of shrubs must be pre-approved by the cemetery office.
Signage is posted in all cemeteries describing what is considered a prohibited item. The Municipality will not be responsible for damage to prohibited items during routine cemetery business, or when snow is present because they cannot be seen. Should a garden or prohibited item become a hazard, neglected or an obstacle to burial, we will remove it without notice.
A complete list of cemetery by-laws is available in the Helpful Links section of the Cemetery Information page, or by emailing ck311@chatham-kent.ca
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Spring Maintenance
Harsh winters and heavy rainfalls can result in ruts and settled graves that will need to be filled. Seeding and levelling of interment sites occur in the spring and work will commence as weather and ground conditions permit. These areas will be a priority to our staff as the ground dries up and tractors are able to access sections in need of topsoil and seed.
Dogs in Cemeteries
Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times in the cemetery for the safety of workers and visitors. Any violations of this rule will be reported to P.A.W.R.
Decorations
Cemetery Operations works hard to keep municipal cemeteries tidy. Interment rights holders and cemetery visitors are reminded that any Christmas/winter floral arrangements, artificial flowers placed on the ground, or wreaths are to be removed by April 1. Any unclaimed items left on lots after April 1 will be removed and discarded to allow access for maintenance equipment and grass-cutting crews because they can become caught in mowers and leave debris throughout the cemetery. Only artificial flowers in monument saddles are permitted.
Personal items cannot be left on the ground as they become a hazard to visitors and prevent proper maintenance to be completed. The cemetery is not responsible for damage to any items that are left on lots, in accordance with Cemetery By-law 38-2016. The by-law also prohibits benches, statues, posts, wood/metal/glass memorials, borders, fences, stones/tile, artificial flowers/stands/wreaths. Seasonal items are allowed from November 1 through April 1.
