The Crossville City Council approved some important changes to the cemetery policy recently. The City Cemetery is located at the corner of Cook Road and First Street. The original rules and regulations were adopted by City Council on July 14, 1998. This amendment occurred in August of 2012.

The memorial policy was amended to include:

Flowers placed on graves must be in vases or monument saddles. No loose flowers or arrangements will be allowed, except a two week period during the immediate time following internment and “out of vase” periods beginning May 25 through June 15, and December 15 – 31.

An announcement of these “out-of-vase” periods will be made on the City’s website, local radio stations, and in the local newspaper.

Some of the general regulations that apply to the appearance of the property include:

• Funeral flowers will be removed from graves when they become unsightly.

• The right is reserved by the City to prevent the construction of, or to remove any structure, monument or other object which shall be considered unsightly or injurious to the immediate locality or prejudicial to the character or general appearance of the grounds, or which shall prevent the easy and proper care of graves or lots. The City reserves the right to fill and sod sunken graves on neglected lots and do whatever is necessary for the care and good appearance of the lots and grounds.

• All grading, landscape work, sodding or seeding and improvements of any kind, all care of lots, shall be done by the City. All trees and shrubs and herbage of any kind shall be planted, trimmed, cut or removed by the City.

• No enclosure of any kind, such as a fence, wall, hedge or ditch, shall be permitted around any grave or lot. Grave mounds will not be allowed and no lot shall be raised above the established grade.

• Special cases may arise in which the literal enforcement of a rule may impose unnecessary  hardship. The City of Crossville, therefore reserves the right, without notice, to make exceptions, suspensions or modifications in any of the rules and regulations, when in its judgement, the same appears advisable, and such temporary exemptions, suspensions or modifications shall in no way be construed as affecting the general application of such.

To review the entire Rules & Regulations, go to www.crossvilletn.gov.