Christmas decoration clean-up for all Albany Diocesan Cemeteries

Christmas decoration clean-up in our cemeteries and lots will begin on Monday, January 16, 2023 for all Albany Diocesan Cemeteries. Lot owners are requested to remove any Christmas decorations they wish to save before January 16th.

Due to snow and frozen ground conditions, clean-up could possibly be delayed for some cemeteries or lots. To be sure, please remove any Christmas/holiday decorations you wish to keep by January 16th.

Fresh cut flowers in an approved vase are always permitted provided they are in good condition. Also any new (non- Christmas) seasonal decoration may be left providing the decoration is in accordance with the current Cemetery Rules and Regulations. All other decorations will be removed during the cleanup. The cleanup of all cemeteries takes some time, and depending on weather and the number of burials, may take a week to complete. During the cleanups, cemetery staff removes and discards all items from graves.

Employees are instructed to leave any permitted seasonal decoration that appears to be newly placed. Of course, this is a judgment call for our staff, so it is better to wait until after the cleanup to place decorations. Items placed in violation of cemetery rules and regulations or in disrepair may be removed and discarded at any time.

Annual clean-up dates start:
 Jan. 15,  Apr. 1,  Nov. 1

Read more information regarding our cemeteries decoration regulations.

Thank you for helping to keep our cemeteries beautiful and safe for all.