Daughter upset by cemetery’s Christmas rules
West Vancouver’s municipal cemetery is acting like a Grinch when it comes to Christmas memorials at grave sites.
Tiffany Bromley, whose mother Rhonda Bromley is buried at Capilano View Cemetery, wanted to put a small Christmas tree on her mother’s grave but was told by staff last week no such seasonal displays were allowed until Dec. 15.
“What got me upset is they put their Christmas lights around their office up there,” Bromley said on Sunday, her voice cracking with emotion.
Last year she put a small potted Christmas tree on her mother’s site and this year she had planned to put a little pink artificial tree on the site.
“Our mother’s favourite colour, and mine, was always pink,” said Bromley. “It was so cute.”
But she delayed those plans when told about the ban until Dec. 15, a prohibition she can’t find in the cemetery rules.
“I’m sad,” she said. “I just don’t think it’s right. It doesn’t show any respect.”
Longtime West Vancouver councillor Bill Soprovich hadn’t heard about the Christmas ban at Capilano View.
“It’s certainly something I would check into,” he said.
“We wouldn’t go out of our way to create a problem for anybody,” said Soprovich.
But Soprovich was cautious about the situation.
“I wouldn’t like to comment right now until I see what the rules are but even if the rules are there, I think there should be some flexibility,” he said.
Nina Leemhuis, chief administrative officer of West Vancouver, was also surprised to hear about the situation.
“I agree wholeheartedly that when it comes to the cemetery it’s a hugely sensitive issue,” she said. “I’m surprised by the Dec. 15 (limitation).”
The ban also appeared to be at odds with the Christmas lights on the cemetery office.
“That doesn’t seem right,” said Leemhuis. “We certainly don’t want inconsistent practices.
“The only reason we’re there is to serve the community. This is one of the ways we serve the community, through the cemetery.
“I don’t like to hear about any issues like this. We will be investigating.”
The Capilano View office is closed on the weekend.