Gravesite Decoration Tips

 What do you do with a gravesite after a   funeral home service in Chicago Ridge, IL   ? A wonderful way to recognize your lost loved one’s passing and   celebrate their life   is to personalize their graveside with decorations. Keeping their grave beautiful can also go a long way towards   helping you work through your grief   and loss. 

 But how do you decorate or personalize a gravesite? Use these tips to help guide you as you decorate your lost loved one’s gravesite and honor their memory: 

• Choose Durable or Permanent Decorations – Don’t leave anything on the grave that will become dirty or damaged if left outside in the elements. Instead, opt for materials that are tough in the face of wind, rain, sun, heat, or cold. 

• Consider the Weather – You want to avoid leaving something that will spoil in the hot sun during the summer, or something that will freeze and break during the cold winter. Think about the season and the weather when choosing your décor. 

• Think About the Season  – A great place to start with gravesite décor is with the season. For example, create a Christmas or Hannukah decoration around the holidays or set up a pumpkin-inspired scene in the fall. 

• Keep It Well Lit and Visible – Small items left on gravesites are often accidentally stepped on or destroyed by the cemetery caretakers. Make sure your items are either big enough to attract attention or well-lit. 

• Consider Faith and Culture – Another great way to find gravesite decoration inspiration is to look to the deceased’s faith and culture. Honor their heritage and beliefs with décor, and be sure not to leave something that would be offensive to their faith. 

• Come Back and Check – If you choose to leave décor on your lost loved one’s gravesite, be sure to come back and check on it regularly. Replace worn out or damaged decorations so the grave doesn’t become an eyesore. 

• Check Cemetery Rules – Most cemeteries have guidelines for what can and cannot be left on graves. Be sure to check with your cemetery before leaving any decorations. 

 While every cemetery will most likely have their own unique rules and guidelines for what can and cannot be left on gravesites, there are common items that you should always avoid using in gravesite décor: 

• Glass  – Glass can break and cause injuries. 

• Unsecured or Lightweight Décor  – If the decorations won’t stay put, they could end up all over the cemetery, which is disrespectful to other mourners and causes extra work for the staff. 

• Mylar or Latex Balloons – These materials are very dangerous for animals. Instead, try blowing bubbles, leaving garden spinners, or using biodegradable materials. 

• Fences  – Don’t put up a fence or blocker of some kind around the grave as it will prevent the employees from performing maintenance. 

 At the end of the day, whatever décor you choose should be focused on the deceased and their life. Want more tips on decorating gravesites or Chicago Ridge,   IL funeral homes  ? Colonial Chapel Funeral Home & Crematory is here to help. Call or visit us today.