General Decoration Information
We permit THREE ITEMS ONLY on each grave, near the headstone. If several persons want to participate in putting items at a grave, rotate the tributes—remove one old one when placing one new one.
All Funeral Flowers that are brought to Riverside for a Funeral Service are tastefully arranged over the grave site after the burial and remain there until the flowers are spent and subsequently removed. Appropriate personal planting privileges are permitted in most traditional sections.
Artificial or live flowers are permitted year-round.
A shepherd's hook can be placed against the headstone of a grave and hanging baskets can be used. A single hook and all decorations on it count as one item.
As of July 1, 2020, all shepherd hooks MUST be decorated or they will be pulled off the grave.
Styrofoam tributes are not recommended because they cannot withstand weather trauma; they typically dislodge from flimsy stands, break apart easily, and blow around.
No types of fencing, borders, or stones are permitted on graves.
No homemade headstones of any size or style are permitted. All memorial plaques are considered decorations and are subject to removal at the discretion of the grounds crew. Any memorial plaques, flags, etc… with dates of birth or passing are considered “homemade headstones” and are not permitted.
Grave Decorations
Riverside Cemetery strives to help you to keep your loved ones grave a place of remembrance.
(Please note: Total grounds clear-offs are done by our staff semi-annually on March 1 and October 15, weather permitting.)
Flag Tributes
Small American Flags, approximately 24 inches tall, are available, upon request, for free in our Office.
Silk Flower Bouquets
We have a nice selection of beautiful silk flower bouquets for our families and friends to purchase for grave sites. Our current selections are pictured above. The selections may vary from time to time. The total cost for the bouquet, tax, and placement is $30.00.
If you wish to order one of these bouquets, please call us or send us a request stating:
At whose grave(s) you wish to have the bouquet placed
The grave location (if known)
When you wish to have the bouquet placed
Which bouquet you would like placed (please reference the bouquet’s number)
A check for the correct amount
Your name, address, and phone number
Each bouquet comes with a small green plastic self-standing vase that will fit into the various fold-in vases. It can also be inserted directly into the ground using the spike included at the bottom of the vase.
We cannot assume responsibility for silk flowers after they are placed.
Crosses
Wooden name crosses are allowed throughout the cemetery year-round and should not exceed 3' tall or 2' wide. No building material larger than 4" x 4" is permitted. These can be purchased at the Cemetery Office. We have large and small cross-order forms in the office. Prices usually range from $180-$280 but may be more depending on the size and lettering that you choose. We also have an extra small cross for $15 (customization not available) that you can pick up at the Cemetery Office.
For more information on customizing a cross or to download our order form, click here.
In-ground Vases
We have two types of fold-in vases available for sale. One is made of aluminum and costs $45. The other is zinc which costs $70. Prices include tax and installation. Office.
Christmas Wreaths
We offer a nice selection of artificial Christmas Wreaths. A sample of each will be on display in the Office in early October. Wreaths purchased before Thanksgiving will be placed at your designated grave(s) on a sturdy stand during the first week of December. The cost, including tax and placement, varies.