| It's quite customary in nearly every culture, to | | | | In the case of excessive flowers, you can |
| place flowers at a gravesite during the funeral. At | | | | remove any extras immediately after the funeral, |
| the actual service, it's not uncommon for a large | | | | once people have gone. This is fairly common |
| number of people to bring flower arrangements | | | | when the number of floral arrangements have |
| and the family may also have a funerary wreath | | | | spilled off the gravesite and onto the lawn. Since |
| or arrangement created to remember their loved | | | | most cemeteries don't allow this, you'll need to |
| one. The question remains, however, when to | | | | get rid of any extra flower arrangements. Simply |
| actually remove these flowers. | | | | rearrange the ones on the grave so that the best |
| Cemetery Rules | | | | or most sentimental blooms are still there and |
| It's important to follow the rules of the cemetery | | | | then take the rest away. |
| first of all. If they don't allow flowers to remain | | | | It's acceptable to remove large showy |
| after the funeral, then it's a good idea to know | | | | arrangements from the grave immediately after |
| this ahead of time. You can ask people to refrain | | | | the wedding, particularly if the flowers are not in a |
| from bringing floral arrangements and make sure | | | | vase. Keeping them fresh for as long as possible |
| that you remove the funerary wreath when you | | | | by placing flowers in vases will ensure they still |
| leave. | | | | look decent a week later when you return to |
| Some cemeteries have rules as to how many | | | | remove them. |
| flowers can be placed on a grave or whether or | | | | Artificial Flower Removal |
| not they have to be on the name plate. Check | | | | Many people opt for fake or silk flowers since |
| with your graveyard before making any decisions | | | | they will last longer, but these aren't going to |
| about flowers to find out what the rules are so | | | | stand up to years of weather unscathed. These |
| you can pass them on to others. | | | | artificial flowers are often not allowed in more |
| Cut Flower Removal | | | | modern cemeteries, so be sure you check the |
| For cut flowers, a week after the funeral is a | | | | regulations beforehand. |
| good time to start removing them. At this point, | | | | While artificial flowers certainly help keep a grave |
| the flowers will be fading and dying. Many | | | | cheerful for longer, these, too, need to be |
| cemeteries will have a staff that automatically | | | | removed after a time. This type of flower can be |
| removes dying flowers, but in some cases, you | | | | left longer, but as soon as it shows signs of |
| may want to do this yourself. Many people will | | | | becoming dirty or bedraggled, usually a couple of |
| show up after the funeral to bring flowers, so | | | | months after the funeral, it's time to retire the |
| these might not be in bad shape yet. However, | | | | flowers. |
| unless you want to be continuously returning to | | | | It's best to clear away any old flowers on a |
| dispose of the blooms that have died, then it's | | | | regular basis after the funeral, to keep the grave |
| better to remove them at the one week point. If | | | | neat and tidy. Adding fresh new flowers to the |
| you aren`t up to the task or don't want to return | | | | gravesite from time to time will ensure that your |
| to the grave at this point, then have someone | | | | deceased loved one is remembered and the |
| else go in your place, or find out if the cemetery | | | | removal of any old or dying flowers is simply a |
| will get rid of any dead and dying flowers. | | | | respectful thing to do. |