Raetihi cemetery adornments causing problems

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 14, Issue 672, 4 February 1997, Page 1

Raetihi cemetery adornments causing problems

Adorning of graves at the Raetihi cemetery is causing "serious concerns and dismay" in the local community, leading some to contact the council. Adornments and plantings on existing plots in berm cemetery areas are "in contravention of the district bylaws", explains council chief executive officer Cliff Houston in a report to the Waimarino Community Board. At the board' s meeting on Wednesday, possible solutions to what is seen as a problem are to be discussed. Since in 1950's, Raetihi has had designated 'berm cemetery plots, where flowers and ornaments can only be placed near the headstone which is placed on a metre-wide concrete strip. The main reasons for having berm cemetery plots is for easier and less costly maintenance and for the reduction in the numbers of deteriorating above-ground tablets untended by family and relatives, "generally through the Turn to Page 2

Cemetery adornment problems

FROM PAGE 1 passing of time rather than an intentional decision by surviving relatives not to continue upkeeping the grave site," states Mr Houston. He outlines two options for fixing the problem: • Setting aside an area of "general cemetery" where "plots could be developed for use by those wishing to create memorials which would not be acceptable within the berm/lawn area". This area could be at the south eastern corner of the cemetery. • Not issue burial warrants "where the bylaw conditions are unacceptable to surviving relatives and (the council) request the burial take place at some other cemetery". However, Mr Houston states in the report that this approach is "not considered appropriate considering the , council' s mission statement and policy goals". Adornments and plantings "prevent the vegetation control contractor from efficient mowing and spraying regimes" and "have provoked an understandable dismay amongst those who accept the concept of a berm or lawn cemetery and whose relatives are interred within". Mr Houston suggests that relatives are approached and asked to remove the adornments, within a given time frame. "If, after the given time frame, the adornments and/or plantings have not been removed, council will carry out the work to reinstate the lawn," writes Mr Houston.