Tributes

Tributes made of natural plant material may be left graveside at any time of year to remember a loved one when you visit.  This policy supports our value of environmental stewardship by helping to preserve the landscape and ensure the safety of staff, wildlife, and visitors.  All tributes are collected regularly, either when they become unsightly or during routine area maintenance.

Mount Auburn is not responsible for the safekeeping of any items left in the landscape. It is not advised to leave tributes of great sentimental or monetary value. Once removed, these items cannot be retrieved.

*Some areas, including those with community memorials, have special regulations and may not allow these larger Tribute items. Please contact us if you are not certain about the regulations in your area.

At private monuments, on request, Mount Auburn can provide and install an in-ground vase for cut flower bouquets.  Due to safety concerns, other permanently installed vases or fixtures are not allowed.

Mount Auburn reserves the right to immediately remove items that are prohibited. These items become litter or pose a serious safety risk when left in the landscape.

Tributes may only be set on the ground. Adhesives, like tape, and wedging items into crevices, or wrapping wire around stone to hang tributes from will cause damage. Do not attach anything to the surface of a crypt, niche, or monument, and do not insert anything into the crevices between crypt panels.

All in-ground planting must be done by Mount Auburn’s Horticulture staff. To find out if in-ground planting is available for your grave location, please contact our client relations team at 617-607-2424 or email clientrelations@mountauburn.org.

Community Memorial Ledgers - Due to the high concentration of burials in a small area, large tributes such as potted plants, vases, baskets, and wreaths are not permitted. Only natural single-stem flowers may be left either at the burial site or at the memorial inscription.

Crypts and Gardens – Please remember the shared nature of these locations and be considerate of others who also wish to leave tributes. Oversized planters and pots will be removed without notice. Glass vases are strictly prohibited, only plastic shatterproof vases set on the ground under the inscription may be allowed and the vase will be discarded when the flowers expire. Any tribute attached directly to a crypt panel or inscription wall will be removed and the family will be responsible for any cleaning or repair costs.

Memorial Trees and Memorial Benches – Tributes are not to be left at trees and benches. Please ask the administrative office for assistance to place your tribute in an appropriate location.

During designated periods, flags are also permitted as an approved tribute. Flags are currently permitted during celebrations of Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day, and Veterans’ Day and will be removed the following week.