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Cemetery Rules & Regulations

Cumberland County Veterans’ Cemetery

Beginning 15 March 2012 the Cumberland County Veterans' Cemetery began a campaign to re-establish proper adherence of the rules and regulations set forth at the inception of the Cemetery in 1999. As of 15 March 2012, all other objects such as solar lights, plants in pots, hanging and in-ground plants, personal items of sentiment, pictures and personally placed flags have been removed in accordance with the rules and regulations. In a spirit of cooperation, understanding and teamwork, the community, friends and family of those interred and the county administration have seen a vast improvement in the appearance of this special and revered place of rest for our local Veterans. There is a pristine and uniform appearance that truly honors the spirit with which each Veteran served while in the military. The vision by which the rules and regulations were originally created has been realized. Director of Veteran Affairs and Interment, Diana M Pitman, previously stated, "she envisions a cemetery with one or two cones with flowers placed at the top of graves above the marker. On special remembrance days, the cemetery (rather than individual families) will place flags beside the flowers.The vision is a pristine, simple appearance that lends integrity and honor to the military ways that each veteran participated in during their service.

The rules and regulations are not intended to be insensitive to families. “It’s the difference between a civilian cemetery and a veterans’ cemetery,” Pitman explained. “As a civilian, when you get up in the morning you are able to choose whatever outfit you want to wear that day. It can be any color, pattern or design. Individually it looks beautiful. But when you put a group of civilians together with all the different colors, patterns and accessories, it may look brash and out of sync by military standards. In the military, persons are taught uniformity. The same uniform is worn by all and it must be worn a certain way so that when seen as a group it is a portrait of a team rather than the individual.” Flags are placed on grave sites in compliance with the U.S. Flag Code (and in conjunction with all national, state and municipal veterans’ and military cemeteries). According to the Code, the American flag is only to be displayed from sunrise to sundown unless illuminated. Having a flag on each grave site 24/7 actually demeans the intent of its’ display. Flags are never to be used for any form of decoration and are only to be placed on veterans’ graves on Memorial Day, Armed Forces Day, Veterans’ Day and other specific dates designated as remembrance days. Pitman says flags will be placed on all graves during designated observances and notes that a flagstaff at the center of the Veterans’ Cemetery plaza will continue to have a 24 hour display of the large American flag in compliance with proper illumination during hours of darkness. “Our veterans will never be without Old Glory as it is our sincere intent to make sure that our county veterans cemetery is a place of pride, respect and final repose for our veterans to be watched over as she flies majestically in their honor.”

Important Notice Regarding Pets And Service Animals

No pets are allowed at the Cumberland County Veterans Cemetery. Service animals are permitted under the guidelines of the ADA, but they MUST remain with their handler at all times and be cleaned up after should they defecate. Handlers are not permitted to use the Cemetery as an exercise or playground for their service animals.

CUMBERLAND COUNTY VETERANS CEMETERY
Rules & Regulations

  • Fresh, artificial and small plants must be in floral cones.
  • Only 2 floral cones permitted at TOP edge of grave.
  • No in-ground planting of any type.
  • Potted plants, wreaths, flags, emblems or other decorative articles are NOT permitted on graves unless specifically authorized during defined holidays.
  • Flowers of any type may be removed at the discretion of cemetery personnel when they become unsightly, faded or wilted.
  • Evergreen blankets and wreaths permitted 15 December – 15 January.
  • Wreaths and/or floral arrangements are permitted up to one week during Specified Holidays:
    • Easter
    • Mothers’ Day
    • Memorial Day
    • Fathers’ Day
    • Independence Day
    • Veterans’ Day
  • No eternal and/or solar lights are permitted on graves.
  • No modifications or changes may be made to grave markers or concrete footings without authorization from the Veterans Interment Office.

Any items and/or displays that are NOT in compliance with these rules will automatically be removed by cemetery personnel.