Activation of Cemetery Management Bylaw #5767 5.4 (b) “from March 15th, to October 15th, Only fresh cut flowers may be placed on a lot in a manner prescribed by the City”

 

This part of the Bylaw was not thought out properly and was done so at the reaction to a report the City commissioned as part of the Cemetery Master Plan report dated September 7th, 2018. This was never brought to the community in any type of Forum before the Bylaw was drafted in 2019. Further some recommendations such as “An information kiosk will be installed in 2022 at the corner of Elm street and Maple Avenue, which will provide visitors with the information regulations and a wayfinding map”  has not been implemented further a lack of transparency in this matter.

 

I am asking you to sign this petition so the public and Citizens of Vernon, BC  can have their say on whether or not can properly mourn their loved ones without the restraints of an ill thought out and incentive plan. 

 

MY PETITION:

 

We the Citizens of Vernon  ask you to involve the public in the decision not to restrict artificial flowers, Veteran Insignias, or War Related Items, and other trinkets placed on grave sites.  While we mourn our loved ones that are at their final resting place. There has been neither a public consultation, referendum or any public input from any source to comment on this Bylaw. The Citizens of Vernon deserve a voice in changes like this in our City. We ask this part of the Bylaw be rescinded.   

 

Information:

 

Between March 15th and October 15th, only fresh cut floral arrangements may be placed on Cemetery Plots and between October 16th and March 14th, potted plants, wreaths , artificial floral arrangements and seasonal floral tributes may be placed on Cemetery Plots. 

 

All floral arrangements must be placed in approved tribute holders. These holders are available for purchase through the cemetery office located at City of Vernon, City Hall.

 

Non-floral items (trinkets) can be placed at interment site, including but not limited to ceramics, statuary, frames, photographs, glass, boxes, shells, toys wire screens, baskets or stands are not permitted on plots and will be removed.

 

“The City of Vernon understands and respects the need for families to honour loved ones through of offerings at gravesites,” said the release:  This is part of the grieving and healing process. The City welcomes these tributes within the regulations and guidelines that are listed above and which are common in many other communities. 

 

 

 

 

If you look at the cities of Merritt, Trail, Salmon Arm and Lakeview Cemetery by the Kelowna Airport. You will see this has resulted in where they look like fields because nothing is allowed cut flowers last may one or two days at the most due to out hot climate.

 

Hope BC removed “trinkets and other articles of mourning and the offerings” and then they were all placed in a big wooden box. Even a simple item like religious articles ie: Rosaries are NOT Permitted, which is a religious article.

 

What is common about this is all resulting from the same consulting firm. Contrary to where the city claims

 

“Regulations regarding the placement of and removal of offering were designed to help maintain a peaceful and orderly atmosphere for all who visit the cemetery and to ensure the safety of all who visit and maintain the grounds”. Research seems to indicate this has been done to the opinion of a single consulting firm. This should be done in the respect of faiths. This part of the Bylaw does NOT respect this.

 

Please sign the PETITION if you agree with our views on this important matter.