03/30/2026
IMPORTANT NOTICE:
CHANGE TO FLORAL REGULATIONS
EFFECTIVE 2026 POTTED PLANTS WILL NO LONGER BE ALLOWED FOR EASTER.
ONLY FRESH CUT FLOWERS WILL BE PERMITTED. FLOWERS MUST BE PLACED IN THE PROVIDED PLASTIC CONE VASE.
No decorations, etc. allowed in the vases. Wrapping paper, other packaging material must be removed.
Vases are not to be removed from the CEMETERY. Vases are, and will remain, the property of the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery. Only vases provided by the CEMETERY are allowed.
FULL FLORAL rules and regulations are available below or in our administration office.
The placement of floral items on graves, other than on the day of interment, is subject to the following conditions:
ALLOWED DECORATIONS:
• Fresh cut flowers are permitted at any time—flowers will be removed at the discretion of Cemetery personnel. Flowers must be placed in the provided plastic cone vase.
• A potted plant, no larger than 8 inches round, will be permitted on the gravesite 5 days before through 5 days after the following holidays: Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and Father’s Day.
• Memorial Day – The Cemetery will place a United States Flag on each gravesite, traditionally, the Wednesday before the holiday and will remove the Flag the Wednesday after.
• Veterans Day – Individuals may place United States, POW/MIA or Armed Forces Service Branch flags no larger than
12x18 inches on individual gravesites from November 6th to November 12th. Any flags not picked up by the end of the day on November 12th will be picked up by Cemetery staff.
• Freshly cut green wreath, with one bow, allowed from November 1st through January 15th. Wreaths must be laid on the ground in front of headstones / Wall niches. The bow must not touch the headstone as the dye will discolor the granite. Wreaths are not to be attached in any way to the headstone.
To ensure the safety of all who visit, the following are prohibited on Cemetery grounds at all times:
PROHIBITED DECORATIONS:
• No artificial flowers.
• No cemetery logs, window boxes, or potted plants (except as stated above).
• No pinecones, branches, berries, palms, potted plants/dirt in cone vases.
• No permanent plantings, floral containers, balloons, pinwheels, beverage containers, commemorative items, coins, pictures, statues, candles, flammable items of any sort, vigil lights and breakable objects.
• No grave blankets or grave pillows.
• No flags (other than those placed by Cemetery personnel or subject to the Veterans Day exemption above) are permitted, including placement in the provided plastic cone vases. The large United States, POW/MIA, and Branch of Service Flags flown at the Cemeteries provide year-round honor to all veterans buried in the cemeteries.
• No flag standards or grave medallions.
• Flowers, potted plants and wreaths are not allowed to be attached to, lean against, or placed on top of a headstone or niche cover.
PROHIBITED ACTIVITIES:
• No pets (with the exception of trained service animals)
• No alcoholic beverages.
• No smoking.
• Any form of sport or recreation, including jogging and bicycle riding, is prohibited.
• No public gatherings of a partisan nature.
• No littering or picnicking.
• No cutting, breaking, or injuring trees, shrubs, grass or other plantings.
• No marking, defacing, or damaging headstones and/or niche covers in any way.
The Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemeteries focus on the adoption and enforcement of rules and regulations to ensure uniformity, protect the common interest, and preserve the beauty of the final resting places of those entrusted to our care.
We thank you in advance for your cooperation in observing Cemetery regulations. Copies of Cemetery policies, procedures, rules and regulations regarding, but not limited to, interment, eligibility and floral regulations are available upon request.
“The Price of Freedom is Visible Here”
