Families asked to take away personal items

Ahead of what the city calls a “major cleanup” of the city cemetery, families are being asked to remove personal items from burial places.

The cleanup will be conducted April 1-12, and workers from the Parks and Recreation Department, along with cemetery staff and the cemetery commission, will be removing all items not in compliance with cemetery rules and “either boxed or bagged for families to pick up,” the city said. The items will be held for pickup for 30 days behind the maintenance shop at the cemetery.

In general:

• Fresh cut flowers are allowed on lots and mausoleums and near the columbarium, but must be removed within two weeks or when they become unsightly
• Artificial flowers, sprays and wreaths are allowed but must be removed when they become unsightly or hinder maintenance
• Glass containers are prohibited
• All decorations must be firmly secured or fastened to the ground or monument.