Historical Grave Plantings at Riverside

One widespread practice in older, garden-type traditional cemeteries like Riverside was, and still is today in our case, to permit families the opportunity to personally plant appropriately-sized annuals and/or perennials in graves or on lots within sections permitting such opportunities. This practice is still followed by many here, but it has been significantly reduced in scale.

During earlier years the planting of annuals on an entire grave(s) was very evident in most areas where higher headstones and monuments are allowed. Some planted very traditional annuals, while others were quite artistic by creating various geometric designs with the small red and green ball-like plants so common at that time. Some larger lots had magnificent steel planter vases several feet high and wide. Families then visited the cemetery more frequently to water, weed, and trim their plantings which became very colorful and attractive. Today, people tend to visit here less than generations earlier, and few create full-grave flower beds; most plant smaller areas at the head of the grave(s) each spring. Where space allows, small shrubs are also sometimes planted. Very few major-sized cemeteries still permit such broad personal planting opportunities.