Blog Post

Proper Cemetery Etiquette

sfgate • Feb 22, 2019

What to Know Before Planning Your Next Cemetery Visit

Funeral Pre-Planning & Cremation Services in Colma, CA


Familiarize Yourself and Inform Those You Are Visiting With On the Cemetery Rules

While you may know the rules of the cemetery grounds, those travelling with you may not. Keep all visitors informed on the proper etiquette of the cemetery. Be sure to read the cemetery rules posted at the entrance on the large wooden sign.


Keep Any Children Close

We know it can be difficult to calm down an active child, but it is important to help them understand that the cemetery is not an area for running, yelling, or being physical with others. Climbing on or bumping monuments, may cause them to fall and severely injure a person.


What to Do with Pets

At Greenlawn Memorial Park, we prefer animals not be brought with you on your visit. However, if you do happen to have an animal with you, we always request that it be on a leash. Defecation and/or urination by your pet(s) is not permitted on the grounds.


Photography

To respect the privacy of our deceased family members, we ask that no photographs shall be taken on cemetery grounds. Please contact our office prior to your visit if you have special circumstances regarding photography or videography.


Drive Carefully & Cautiously

While cars are permitted on the roads of Greenlawn Memorial Park, we ask that you use caution when driving and keep a watchful eye out for any other visitors that might not be paying attention. Be sure NOT to drive on the grass. If there is any point where the road narrows and another car is approaching, be courteous, and pull over to allow them to pass before continuing. Remember, it might be a mournful or distracting time for others, so please be respectful.


Respect the Graves

When it comes to cleaning, you should never try to use untested methods on monuments. While your intentions may be good, this could cause long term damage such as chips, cracks, or fading. You never know how monuments will react to certain cleaning materials until you ask.

At Greenlawn Memorial Park, maintenance of the monuments are performed by the owner. However, we do offer maintenance services. Please inquire in our office if you wish to have your monument professionally cleaned.

If you wish to decorate your loved one’s monument with flowers, we offer many water spigots throughout the cemetery for watering. However, this is not to be used as drinking water.

Please do not leave unapproved plastic vases sticking out of the ground. We offer more long-term solutions for flowers. Inquire in our office.


Be Respectful of Other Mourners

There may be a funeral in progress during your visit. Keep in mind that this is a fresh time of mourning for a group of people that have recently lost a loved one. Do your best to stay out of their way and respect their privacy. This also includes ensuring that your cell phone ringer has been muted or turned down. While you might wish to be friendly to strangers you encounter, others may wish to be alone. Be mindful of this on your visit.


Clean Up After Yourself

If you find yourself with food or drink while visiting Greenlawn Memorial Park, we do have trash cans on the roads throughout the cemetery. We ask that you leave the cemetery as clean as you first encountered it. Leaving a mess shows disrespect to the cemetery’s residents, as well as those that are visiting their lost loved ones.



Greenlawn Memorial Park is dedicated to preserving the memory of your loved ones. We want to make your visit as calm and respectful as possible. If you are in need of funeral pre-planning services, memorial services, cremation services or more, feel free to contact us today.

01 Apr, 2024
Funeral pre-planning helps to ease stress while grieving. Learn more about the importance of these services with Greenlawn Memorial Park in Colma, CA.
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