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Residents reminded of Cemetery Adornment Bylaw

With Mother's Day coming up, staff at the Westlawn Cemetery are poised for a large influx of flowers and other adornments.

With Mother's Day coming up on Sunday, May 12, staff at the Westlawn Cemetery are poised for a large influx of flowers and other adornments over the days leading up to the holiday.

However, the city wishes to remind residents that only fresh cut flowers are allowed on memorials at Westlawn or alternatively artificial flowers in the mausoleum.

Any other adornments of any kind will be removed by staff.

This follows the adoption of the new City of Cranbrook Cemetery Bylaw by council in 2010 to comply with changes made to the British Columbia Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act introduced in 2004, that includes the issue of adornments.

Under the bylaw, fresh cut flowers, wreaths and floral offerings may be placed in the authorized flower container during the period of March 16 to Oct. 31 in any year.

Artificial flowers may be placed in those same authorized containers from November 1 to the following March 15 in any year.

At the Westlawn Mausoleum, only artificial flowers are allowed year round in the vase provided. Flowers placed on the floor will be removed by the caretaker without notice.

Fresh cut flowers, wreaths and natural floral offerings from a funeral procession, plant material and grave adornments associated with seasonal events or celebrations will be removed by the caretaker after seven days.

The public is invited to review the City of Cranbrook Cemetery Bylaw by visiting the City of Cranbrook website at www.cranbrook.ca.