City Rules Will Force Removal of Grave Decorations

Link: Austin American Statesmen: City Rules Will Force Removal of Grave Decorations

Category: Environment, Community

Level: Local

Concerning: An “enacted” policy that has been passed.

Why is this important/how does this affect individuals/families?  The enforcing of the removal of grave decorations will have a negative affect on families with loved ones buried in the Austin Memorial Park Cemetery. It could also potentially negatively affect graves in other cemeteries that may follow the initiative.

My Views: I strongly oppose the rule enforcing the removal of grave decorations. I think it is a completely senseless rule that will have only negative reactions. The Austin Memorial Park Cemetery hosts 25,000 graves, many of which have been decorated with flowers, stones, and personalized items by family members and friends. These decorations serve as commemorations and remembrances of their loved one’s life. For many people, decorating a loved one’s grave is a way to reconnect with them and honor their life. Sharon Weintraub, whose father is buried in the Austin Memorial Park Cemetery, described personalized grave decorations as a way to, “show(s) that these people aren’t forgotten, that people remember them and still care about them”. I completely agree with that statement, and I believe that it is entirely ridiculous for the city to take that away. The reasoning behind the removal of the decorations, however, is even more ridiculous. Gilbert Hernandez, the city cemeteries manager, stated that the decorative items “caused problems with mowing and other maintenance”.  In short, it would be cheaper and easier to have one huge lawn mower mow over the entire cemetery without worrying about destroying decorative items. I think that is a lazy and selfish alternative. This entire situation saddens me greatly. Although my grandfather is buried in Houston, in a cemetery where this absurd rule does not apply, the thought of being unable to take flowers and personalized items to his grave is heart wrenching. I cannot imagine how the families and friends of loved ones buried in the Austin Memorial Park Cemetery must be feeling.