Cedartown to start strict enforcement of rules of what can be left on gravesites

The city of Cedartown will start this week to require that only those items specifically listed can be left at gravesites within local cemeteries.

An increase on prohibited items on gravestones has seen an uptick according to city of Cedartown Public Information Officer Aimee Madden, and it's been causing problems for Public Works employees who are responsible for the upkeep of local cemeteries.

"We've seen an increase in the items that are left on the graves," Madden said. "Not flowers and things, but atypical things that you'd see."

She cited examples such as unopened beer cans, flowers that aren't in proper containers, mardi gras beads, teddy bears and toys and much more have been left behind on gravesites as memorials, and the city is trying to remain sensitive about the issue.

Signs have been posted to list what can be left behind at burial sites, Madden said, and that the city is giving people time to go to gravesites and remove items that aren't specifically listed.

"People get very sentimental, and they leave things. But the problem is when our public works department employees go to mow the grass, they run into issues. We don't want to move anyone's items off the graves, but in reality we have to do that in order to mow."

The items allowed at gravesites, set via an ordinance first in 1969 but since updated in the 1990s and 2000s, are specific and include headstones, coping walls, stone or marble foot markers, flowers, and lighted candle holders. All flowers are to be in a container after the preparation and completion of the initial internment.

No flowers, trees, shrubs or other plants can be planted on any burial lot within city cemeteries either.

The rules will be strictly enforced beginning Tuesday.

Items will be removed from gravesites without notice after the Tuesday deadline. The cemetery department will be taking the items up.

"We've noticed an increase of items, and we don't want it to get any worse," Madden said. "If there's something that is specific and would be sentimental to the family, the cemetery department will likely hold onto it if people leave it and want it returned to them."