Kalamazoo Times

Comstock Township is looking to keep its historic cemeteries clear of debris by enforcing ordinance #524, which allows the township the ability to remove displays that have the potential to become a maintenance issue.  

“The cemetery committee put a lot of time, effort and thought into this ordinance,” said Comstock Township Clerk Nicole Beauchamp. “We listened to and considered the concerns of the grieving families while thinking of the safety and maintenance of our cemeteries. The ordinance provides clarity and is fair for all families who use and visit our cemeteries.”

According to a news release, the measure will allow for gravestones to be decorated with a container and one shepherd’s hook that can have flowers or a decorative piece. Additionally, a holiday decoration will be allowed two weeks prior and after the holidays of New Year’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, Father’s Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Halloween, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas, Kwanzaa or Hanukkah.

“We deeply appreciate that visitors at Comstock Cemeteries deserve to honor their loved ones with displays throughout the year,” the news release states. “However, we also recognize that the township has an obligation to maintain our historic cemeteries. Enforcing the Comstock Charter Township Cemetery Ordinance is our way of making sure we honor the lives of those buried there and the importance to our community’s heritage.”

The township reports that utilizing plastic cones or fake flowers will not be permitted, along with jars and glass to display flowers and that the areas around new graves will need to be cleared of displays not permitted by the ordinance within 10 days of burial.

Cemetery lots purchased after June 15, 1980 have the ability to return to the township if not used within 50 years, according to the news release. It also stated that owners would be notified if they wished to keep the lots or sell them back to the township at the original purchase price.