When a loved one is buried in a cemetery, you can continue to visit long after their interment and celebration of life services are complete. This often provides solace to grieving family and friends, particularly when they’re able to leave mementos or decorate the gravesite with personalized items. While you should always check with the cemetery first to make sure you comply with their rules and regulations, here are meaningful ways to decorate your loved one’s final resting place. 

What to Use for Grave Decoration

Flowers & Wreaths 

People often leave flowers and wreaths at a loved one’s gravesite. It’s a beautiful way to continue to pay tribute to a person after their celebration of life ceremony, and cemetery staff will typically take them away when they begin to wilt. Consider leaving a personalized arrangement for your loved one, such as a bouquet filled with their favorite flowers, colors, and fragrances. Alternatively, bring them a seasonal arrangement to celebrate holidays, such as poinsettia at Christmas or tulips and hyacinths at Easter. Circular wreaths, sprays, and floral pillows or blankets are also lovely. 

Pebbles & Stones

Placing a stone on top of a gravesite began as an ancient Judaic practice meant to symbolize respect. The tradition has since been adopted by many other faiths and is still popular today. Think about leaving a stone that would serve as a celebration of life for your loved one, such as a crystal, a piece of turquoise, or a rock painted in their favorite color. Memory stones can also be engraved with touching and meaningful phrases. 

Flags & Fabrics

American flags are often placed on the headstones of veterans for holidays such as Veterans and Memorial Day, but you can also use a flag to decorate any gravesite at any time of the year. In addition to commemorating military service, small cemetery flags can be used to celebrate a loved one by featuring special sayings, images, or symbols. Stuffed animals, fake flowers made of cloth, or fabric ribbons can also be used. 

Dealing with the loss of a loved one is challenging. In your time of need, turn to the compassionate experts at DiPonzio Funeral Home in Rochester, NY. For more than 80 years, this family-run funeral home has helped grieving Monroe County residents make funeral arrangements, organize celebration of life services, choose caskets and cremations urns, and decorate gravesites. They also offer funeral pre-planning and cremation services. Visit their website to learn more about their burial services, and call (585) 429-6700 to speak with a caring and attentive caretaker today.