FLORAL DECORATION RULES
Nellie May Burrier's grave (1886-1909) is adorned with a floral relief sculpture. (Area OO lot 61)
Victorian Style
Symbolism and the Language of Flowers
Mount Olivet’s grounds are made up of thousands of individual lots, each belonging to or shared among individual families. Though little more than cleared farmland in the beginning, hedges were installed to delineate property lines and 300 young trees were quickly planted to break the heat of the summer sun. Today some of these surviving saplings are towering giants that pay homage to all who have passed beneath them.
Families continued developing their lots, primarily through planting flowers. Vintage photographs from the turn of the century show the refinement that had occurred. Walls, fountains and ornate iron fences had been added to grace the gardens.
The Victorian period brought with it a fascination with the natural world, and a keen interest in plants was an integral part of this passion. Plant collectors explored remote parts of the world to bring back new and exotic specimens. It became quite fashionable to decorate your home with exotic, often tropical, plants. So, why not your cemetery? Mount Olivet's first greenhouse was built in 1868 to grow flowers for the cemetery but it was also used to overwinter these tender plants.
Symbolism and the Language of Flowers
Mount Olivet’s grounds are made up of thousands of individual lots, each belonging to or shared among individual families. Though little more than cleared farmland in the beginning, hedges were installed to delineate property lines and 300 young trees were quickly planted to break the heat of the summer sun. Today some of these surviving saplings are towering giants that pay homage to all who have passed beneath them.
Families continued developing their lots, primarily through planting flowers. Vintage photographs from the turn of the century show the refinement that had occurred. Walls, fountains and ornate iron fences had been added to grace the gardens.
The Victorian period brought with it a fascination with the natural world, and a keen interest in plants was an integral part of this passion. Plant collectors explored remote parts of the world to bring back new and exotic specimens. It became quite fashionable to decorate your home with exotic, often tropical, plants. So, why not your cemetery? Mount Olivet's first greenhouse was built in 1868 to grow flowers for the cemetery but it was also used to overwinter these tender plants.
1909 view of the Superintendent's house showing a number of potted plants such as ferns and palm.
Victorian Style
Symbolism and the Language of Flowers
Many plants and flowers were symbolic to the Victorians, either through their ‘language of flowers’ or religious beliefs. Lilies, symbolizing resurrection, weeping willows for sorrow and palm fronds to indicate triumph of the soul are frequently seen on grave markers. You will often see these plants growing nearby. The many Victorian era books on the ‘Language of Flowers’ gave meaning to each flower and a bouquet could be used to send a private message telling of one’s love, or hate. Such bouquets can also be seen carved on the stones.
Symbolism and the Language of Flowers
Many plants and flowers were symbolic to the Victorians, either through their ‘language of flowers’ or religious beliefs. Lilies, symbolizing resurrection, weeping willows for sorrow and palm fronds to indicate triumph of the soul are frequently seen on grave markers. You will often see these plants growing nearby. The many Victorian era books on the ‘Language of Flowers’ gave meaning to each flower and a bouquet could be used to send a private message telling of one’s love, or hate. Such bouquets can also be seen carved on the stones.
You're welcome to use a wide variety of floral decorations in Mount Olivet Cemetery. However, flower and ground cover planting on lots requires lot owners (or legal representatives) to fill out a permit which lists all guidelines to be followed in order for planting to be done. Live Plants
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Artificial Flowers or Designs
- No artificial flowers or designs that are placed on the ground will be permitted from May 1-December 1. Artificial or silk flowers will be permitted if placed atop a monument or are placed in vases attached to the base of the monument.
- Placement of artificial or silk flowers in hanging baskets from shepherd's hooks is allowed, but provided that only one be placed per each grave site and are placed at the side of the monument and in line with the monument. Where only footstones or flat markers are allowed, a hanging basket can be placed on a shepherd's hook provided the hook is placed at the side in the center of the width of the footstone or marker.
- All artificial flowers or designs that are placed on the ground will be removed by cemetery employees on or after May 1.
- In the mausoleums, artificial or silk flowers are only allowed in the vases that are attached to bronze markers. They cannot extend beyond the individual crypt or niche front onto an adjoining crypt or niche front that obstructs another marker.
- All live flowers from funeral services must be placed in a designated area located outside the mausoleum.
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Special Decorations
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