Placing artificial cemetery flowers on a loved one's grave is as honorable as using live plants. While natural flowers may tend to look prettier and smell better, synthetic ones are not only less expensive, but they last longer, especially in climates where the weather takes its toll on greenery.
Respect the Graves
Don't touch any monuments or headstones; this is not only disrespectful, but may cause damage to the memorials, especially older ones. Never remove anything from a gravestone, such as flowers, coins, or tributes that have been left by family.
You can place flowers on the ground by the headstone or in front of it. You can also place a fresh bouquet on top of the headstone. You can lay a wreath or cross on the ground near or against the headstone. Most cemeteries allow plastic vases that are secured with a self-stake into the ground by the headstone.
There are many ways to use events to honor parents who have passed away. Hold a fundraiser for a cause they cared about. Plan a celebration of life or an annual celebration on their death anniversary. If your mother or father loved the theatre, ballet, or symphony, gather loved ones to attend in their memory.
A headstone inscription is usually made up of a top line, the person's name, date of birth and death, and a few short words to pay tribute to them.
Spiritual teachers and biblical references suggest that our beloved departed ones may know when we visit their grave, and people may feel a sense of being watched or comforted when they visit a loved one's grave.
Don't remove the original surface
As the surface roughens, it will soil more easily. The inscriptions can be eroded away, making the headstone harder to read. Never aggressively scrub the surface or use wire brushes or mechanical methods such as sanders or grinders to clean the surface.
For example, the ancient Romans laid down flowers and other mementos at the site of tombs because they believed the spirits of those who passed remained in the area of the grave site; continuing to decorate these graves was a way to show the spirits that they were remembered and honored.
Decorating a gravesite of a loved one is a part of personalizing their memorial and commemorating them. Friends and family tend to decorate their loved ones' monument on the anniversary of the deceased person's life, their birthday, or other special occasions.
“Dearest Name, happy birthday in Heaven! I miss your smile every day, and I carry your love with me everywhere I go. I know it's not always easy to share these things on social media, but I want to make it clear that it's normal to grieve. Together, we'll get through this.”
No running, yelling, or rolling around on the ground. This is not a place for childhood games. Don't let them play on any of the monuments. While it is good to get children used to paying respects at a cemetery, they often don't fully understand the meaning of everything in the cemetery.
To Symbolize Their Visit
Many people leave stones on a loved one's grave or memorial to mark their visit. The symbol of the stone can bring comfort to family and friends, letting them know their loved one has been visited, grieved and prayed for by others, too.
Leaving flowers at a gravesite to show your respect for the dead is a time-honored tradition, with the flower-leaving starting right at a person's burial. Just be sure to check the cemetery's rules on what types – and even what sizes – of flowers and flower arrangements you can leave at the grave.
When standing at the grave recite the following: Peace be with you, (my masters and teachers/Father/Mother, as appropriate). May your souls be bound up in the bond of life with the Lord our God. Peace be with you and may your rest be perfect and peaceful.
"Talking or being on your phone during the service is one of the most disrespectful things you could do at a funeral," says Myka Meier, Beaumont Etiquette founder and etiquette expert. It's important to be as present as possible. " Silence your phone, shut off your phone, or even just leave it behind.