MARION — The Marion Cemetery Commission is reminding those who tend cemetery plots of its policies and procedures for all town cemeteries. 

Plot tenders may plant annual flowers, but must do so within a foot of gravestones. All plants must be miniature or dwarf species and the Commission reserves the right to remove or prune overgrown plantings.

The Cemetery Commission may remove and dispose of holiday baskets, pots and flower after 14 days if they are not picked up by the owner. Artificial flowers, Christmas decorations, greens or ornaments may be used from Nov. 1 to March 1 only and should be removed before March. 

Bird feeders are not allowed in cemeteries because they may attract too many birds to neighboring headstones.

Permanent decorations and or benches must be approved by the Cemetery Commission.

With these policies in mind, the Department of Public Works will spend time in the cemeteries (starting with Evergreen Cemetery) to clean up and remove unintentional plantings such as yucca, cherry, oak, bittersweet and any other plantings that obscure a headstone. Fallen or leaning headstones will also be repaired.

Any questions can be directed to the Department of Public Works.