Catholic teaching holds two places as sacred: Churches and Cemeteries. Catholic cemeteries carry out the sacred religious function of burial and caring for the resting places of our beloved dead. The Catholic Cemetery, then, is sacred not only because of a blessing or consecration, but also by the sacred function that it performs on behalf of the entire Christian community: It holds the bodies, once temples of the Holy Spirit, until the Lord comes again in glory.
As a sacred place, a Catholic cemetery is a place that serves the faithful and witnesses to the entire world the Good News of Jesus Christ and the hope we share in the resurrection. To this end, it is a place where the signs and symbols of our Catholic faith are displayed with pride and reverence.
It is for this reason that rules and regulations are written to provide a just and fair environment consistent with our gospel calling. These regulations provide for the good order of the cemetery for the benefit of lot holders and the preservation of the identity as a Catholic Cemetery.
General Regulations:
Decorations for Monument Lots
Flowers
Albany Diocesan Cemeteries welcomes a total of two bouquets of flowers in approved vases placed on any lot. Fresh cut flowers are encouraged. Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna and certain sections of St. Agnes, Menands and St. Mary’s, Troy allow fresh cut flowers only in approved vases except during the Christmas season. Christmas decorations are removed and discarded annually beginning January 15.
In some cemeteries, an artificial floral piece attached to a freestanding wire easel 30”-36” may be placed on a lot from May 1 to one week after Father’s Day.
Potted plants are permitted on the base of a monument, not in or on the ground, from May 1 through one week after Father’s Day.
One standard floral saddle may be placed on a monument.
Two non-ferrous, composite vases, Metalcraft ™ or equivalent, of an appropriate size, may be placed on a monument base in a non-permanent manner. Approved method of installation is either strap between die and base or two-sided tape.
Memorial Day
For Memorial Day, an American flag may be placed on graves. Flags will be removed shortly after Memorial Day as recommended by the American Legion.
Christmas
Christmas decorations of floral pieces on a wire easel 30”-36” high, or Christmas decorations in an approved vase, and evergreen blankets may be placed on graves from November 15 to January 15. Can’t get to the cemetery to place decorations for loved ones? Albany Diocesan Cemeteries offer a Christmas Decoration program that takes care of the decoration and removal of decorations.
Contact Albany Diocesan Cemeteries for further information
Decorations for Shrine Graves
Flowers
Albany Diocesan Cemeteries welcomes a total of two bouquets of flowers in approved vases placed on any lot. Fresh cut flowers are encouraged. Most Holy Redeemer Cemetery, Niskayuna and certain sections of St. Agnes, Menands and St. Mary’s, Troy allow fresh cut flowers only in approved vases except during the Christmas season. Please return bronze vases to the flush inverted position when not in use. For safety concerns, bronze vases should be in the flush inverted position from November 15 until March 21.
Memorial Day
For Memorial Day, an American flag may be placed on graves. Flags will be removed shortly after Memorial Day as recommended by the American Legion.
Christmas
Christmas decorations of floral pieces on a wire easel 30”-36” high, or Christmas decorations in an approved vase, and evergreen blankets may be placed on graves from November 15 to January 15. Can’t get to the cemetery to place decorations for loved ones? Albany Diocesan Cemeteries offer a Christmas Decoration program that takes care of the decoration and removal of decorations.
Contact Albany Diocesan Cemeteries for further information
Decorations for Mausoleums
Albany Diocesan Cemeteries welcomes fresh cut flowers in an approved vase inside mausoleums, or green cone-shaped tin or plastic placed at edge of the sidewalk outside a mausoleum.
Granite urns at St. Anthony’s Cemetery may be filled with artificial or fresh cut flowers.
Decoration Removal in Cemeteries
Any article placed in the cemetery in violation of these rules and regulations will be removed and discarded without notice. Common violations include, but are not limited to: urns and flower boxes, corner posts, wooden or plastic crosses, plantings of any kind, statues, figurines, toys or stuffed animals, crushed stone or wood chips, fraternal symbols, flags and flag holders, trellises, shepherd hooks, solar lights, and glass.
General Clean Up
General cleanups take place twice a year, beginning on or about April 1 and November 1. All decorations will be removed and discarded at these times. Christmas decorations are removed and discarded beginning January 15, time & weather permitting.
A lot owner is responsible for removing decorations that they wish to save prior to these dates.
