Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 18, September 16, 2024
(1) The executive
director shall hire a Veterans Cemeteries Program director who shall have the
authority and responsibility for the planning, implementation, and operation of
the Veterans Cemeteries Program.
(2) The Veterans Cemeteries Program director
shall hire the professional, technical, and support staff necessary to operate
the cemeteries program. This staff shall be responsible for providing interment
services to eligible Veterans and their dependents in Missouri, maintaining
cemetery grounds and facilities, performing outreach activities to promote
awareness of the Veterans Cemeteries Program, and cooperating with the National
Cemetery Administration and other states' Veterans Cemeteries
Programs.
(3) Operations.
(A) Flowers and Flower Containers. Fresh cut
flowers may be placed on graves at any time. Cemetery personnel will remove and
discard flowers which have become withered, faded, or otherwise unsightly. No
permanent plantings may be on the grave site. It is recommended that
inexpensive metal or plastic floral containers be used to display flowers. The
use of glass containers is prohibited. Vases are available from the cemetery
staff upon request. The cemetery is not responsible for lost or damaged
containers.
(B) Artificial Flowers.
Artificial flowers are permitted on graves from October 15 through April 15.
Potted plants will be permitted on graves ten (10) days before and ten (10)
days after Easter Sunday only.
(C)
Christmas Season. Christmas wreaths and floral grave blankets will be permitted
from December 1 through January 15.
(D) Unauthorized Decorations. Permanent
plantings, statues, pictures, balloons, vigil lights, breakable items of any
kind, and similar commemorative items are not permitted on graves, markers, or
niche covers. Upright metal grave markers (flag holders) are not permitted.
Unauthorized items will be removed and disposed of by cemetery
personnel.
(E) Memorial Day. Graves
will be decorated prior to Memorial Day with small flags. These flags will be
removed immediately after Memorial Day and are not permitted on graves at any
other time. Only one (1) flag per grave is permitted.
(F) Prohibited Activities. The following
activities are prohibited in Missouri Veterans Cemeteries:
1. Littering;
2. Cutting of trees, shrubs, grass, or other
plantings by unauthorized persons;
3. Allowing pets to run loose;
4. Recreational activities such as fitness
walking, jogging, skating, bicycling, etc.;
5. Public gatherings of a partisan nature;
and
6. Sitting or standing on grave
markers.
(G) Visiting
Hours. The cemetery is open to the public for visitation from sunrise until
sunset daily. The cemetery office is open from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm, Monday
through Friday with the expection of state
holidays.
*Original authority: 42.010, RSMo 1996, amended 1998 and
536.023, RSMo 1975, amended 1976, 1997,
2004.
