FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Date: 05/12/2021 Contact: Russell Buffington, Cemetery Supervisor Phone: 319-356-5105
Memorial Day Avenue of Flags; grave decoration guidelines for Oakland Cemetery
Memorial Day decorations are allowed at Oakland Cemetery, located at 1000 Brown Street. Decorations may be placed on graves beginning Thursday, May 27, 2021. Friends and family members who wish to keep their gravesite decorations after Memorial Day should remove them no later than Sunday, June 6, 2021.
During this period, wreaths and decorations of all kinds may be left at gravesites, with no restrictions on the types of containers or materials used. If flags and emblems are still in place after June 6, Cemetery staff will remove and store them, although they cannot assume responsibility for preservation of these items.
On Monday, June 7, staff will begin picking up and disposing of other grave decorations that are typically restricted, and will revert to these standard regulations:
Only live or dried flowers in plastic or papier-mâché containers may be used.
Glass or tin containers, toys, boxes, and other decorations that might create a mowing hazard are not allowed.
Annuals and perennials may be planted adjacent to the stone, if the lot owner and/or family members provide ongoing plant care.
The annual Memorial Day Program produced by the Johnson County Military Affairs Association and the American Legion Post 17 and Auxiliary for the last 38 years has been canceled. Organizers of the event honored those who fought and died for our nation. Although the memorial event is canceled, the cemetery plans to display the Avenue of the Flags along the main entrance road throughout the Memorial Day weekend.
Oakland Cemetery is the City of Iowa City’s public cemetery. For more information, contact Russell Buffington, Cemetery Supervisor, at russell-buffington@iowa-city.org or 319-356-5105.
