Losing a loved-one is a tragic and sad occurrence in our life.  We never fully recover from the loss, no matter how much time passes. One of the ways we morn is to honor our dead with an attractine, dignified resting place as they await the ressurrection. Unfortunately this can mean different things to different people. Beauty really is in the eye of the beholder.

Following a series of expressed concerns from visitors to St. Michael Cemetery, and considering the old adage that less is more, our Cemetery Committee has renewed their commitment to follow the Rules and Regulations set down when the cemetery was first established.

Naturally, some updating of these Rules and Regulations was needed.  Therefore the cemetery no longer bans ox-carts. We have also implemented a 15 MPH speed limit, which would have been an unthinkable speed in 1889.
 
The photo below was taken at Arlington National Cemetery. Here we see the markers of men killed during the Civil War.  The lack of a hodgepodge of eclectic bric-a-brac, overgrown plants, fencing and tiny pieces of artificial flowers struck by a lawnmower blade only add to the beauty and dignity of these hallowed grounds.  

There is beauty, dignity and honor in the simplicity of cemeteries like Arlington.  

The ability to efficiently maintain these hallowed grounds only serves 
to enhance benefit
 
St. Michael Cemetery Committee believes that we owe it to those resting with us, those who come to visit, and those who will someday be buried here to provide a dignified, holy setting.           
   

Rocks, fencing, mulch and perennials, evergreens are indeed decorative. They are attractive to some,  but an eyesore to others.  They not only hinder maintenance and damage cutting equipment, the mulch ends up scattered and the evergreens take much needed moister from the grass.

Obstructing the view of an expensive and beautiful granite monument with brick pavers and overgrown perennials that continue to spread certainly must have meaning for the one who placed these things here, but it is unattractive to the majority of visitors.

Watching the the lawn mowers zig-zag around all the obstructions might be humorous to watch if it were not so time consuming and costly.

If you have any decorations that do not meet the criteria of St. Michael's Rules and Regulations, and you would like to preserve these items, please take these things home or to another suitable location.

Thank you for understanding and God Bless.

St Michael Cemetery Committee
Richmond, Michigan