Nearly five years ago, we lost our daughter, Adley, at just 3 years old.

Since then, our family has done everything we can to honor her life and keep her memory alive.

At her resting place in Concord Memorial Cemetery in Bloomsdale, Missouri, we created a small, meaningful space around her grave, decorated with rocks and seasonal items that reflect the love we still carry for her every single day.

For nearly five years, we have cared for and maintained this space ourselves. It has brought us comfort, connection, and a sense of peace in the face of unimaginable loss.

Now, we are being told that everything must be removed.

After years of this being allowed, we are being asked to take away the very things that help us feel close to our daughter.

We understand that cemeteries have rules. However, we believe there must also be room for compassion, consistency, and understanding, especially for grieving families who are simply trying to honor their loved ones.

We are not asking for special treatment. We are asking for a reasonable solution that allows families like ours to continue maintaining and decorating their loved one’s resting place, especially when it has been done respectfully and without issue for years.

No parent, no family, should be forced to remove the symbols of love and remembrance from their child’s grave without thoughtful consideration.

We are asking Concord Memorial Cemetery to:

Reconsider and revise policies regarding grave decorations
Allow families the option to maintain and care for their loved one’s space
Work with families on compassionate, case by case solutions

This is about more than decorations.
This is about grief, love, and the right to honor those we’ve lost.

Please sign and share to help us bring awareness and encourage a compassionate resolution, for Adley, and for every family walking this path.