Cemetery

The Spirit of Saint Joseph Cemetery

St. Joseph Cemetery symbolizes the Spirit of remembrance. As Catholics, we believe that
though the body dies, a person's resurrected body and spirit live on eternally. This belief uplifts
the downhearted with the hope of seeing the departed again in the fullness of Christ. As we
sojourn in life, we participate in the glory of God who sacrificed His life as recompense for all
sin. It is vital to keep this divine teaching in mind to preserve this extraordinary gift of self-giving
when visiting any cemetery.
Therefore, cemetery guidelines protect this sacred invitation by proclaiming who paid the
ultimate price for salvation. Having a predisposed spirit sets free the bondage of death with a
renewed sense of hope and reverence awaiting the glory of His kingdom. Adhering to these
principles; cemetery guidelines garment the deceased with respect and honor for years to
come.
Then, with anticipation, we share in the consecrating beauty of St. Joseph Cemetery as we
recount the celebration of Corpus Christi, sacramentally transfiguring bread and wine into the
body and blood, soul and divinity of Christ.
May Joseph our patron Saint, find favor as intercessor in heaven whom on earth we venerate;
as the Pillar of families, Comforter of the Afflicted, the Sick, and of the Dying; protect all souls
who live and reign forever and ever.
Amen.

Michael Frey
Manager of St. Joseph Cemetery

SAINT JOSEPH CEMETERY RULES AND REGULATIONS

Thousands of people visit St. Joseph and St. Thomas Cemetery annually. The cemetery has established fair regulations to preserve Catholic tradition and reduce its overall operating cost. To ease the mowing, trimming, and leaf removal season, cemetery rules will be enforced to maximize ongoing upkeep.

  FLAT MARKERS & MONUMENTS

• Flush marker lots - NO potted plants, NO perennial planting of flowers (cut flowers placed in 1 vase per-flush marker only)
• Planting of flowers at monuments is limited to 10” and not to exceed the length of the monument base. Decorations on either side of the monument are NOT ALLOWED
• Monument Christmas wreaths, artificial flowers, or boughs of evergreens placed in a flower box permitted November 20th through March 1st

ARTIFICIAL FLOWERS, POTTED PLANTS OR ANY BRIC-A-BRAC DECORATIONS

• Perennial plantings are NOT PERMITTED
• Artificial flowers – allowed  November 20th through March 1st   
• Plants must be below the height of the monument – no taller than 10”
• Potted plants are allowed during 10 day period following Palm Sunday, Easter, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and Memorial Day only
• The following are NOT ALLOWED: candles, balloons, borders, bric-a-brac, Christmas
• trees, concrete products, fencing, lights, pictures, pinwheels, pumpkins, statues, etc.
• NO shrubbery, bushes, or trees are allowed - will be removed without notice
• NO rubber or wood chips are permitted
• Please do not drive or park on the grass
• Pets MUST remain in the vehicle

MAUSOLEUM

• The following are NOT ALLOWED below or on any crypt or niche cover:Bric-a-brac decorations, potted plants, artificial flowers, photos of any kind, etc.  

NATIONAL CATHOLIC CEMETERY FLAG GUIDELINES

• Only cloth American flags with wooden dowels are allowed. Non-cloth flags will be removed immediately according to flag laws
• 1 flag permitted per monument throughout the entire year
• 1 flag is permitted on flat markers on Memorial Day through Flag Day, 3 days before Veterans Day, and 7 days thereafter

EXCERPTS FROM WINTER RULES AND REGULATIONS

     1. WINTER FLORAL DECORATIONS

         Winter floral decorations are permitted during the period November 20th through March 1st

     2. PLACEMENT OF FLORAL DECORATIONS

         In front of upright monuments and on markers

     3. REMOVAL OF FLORAL DECORATIONS

         All winter floral decorations should be removed and disposed of before March 1st in preparation for the Easter Season

     4. PALM SUNDAY - EASTER – MOTHER’S DAY – FATHER’S DAY – MEMORIAL DAY

        Palm Crosses, potted plants are allowed beginning on the holiday(s) and may remain for 10 days thereafter  

EXCERPTS FROM SUMMER RULES AND REGULATIONS

      What is attractive to one may be offensive to another. Strict adherence to these rules and regulations will be enforced. 

     1. ARTIFICIAL FLORAL DECORATIONS

     Are NOT permitted from March 1st through November 20th

     2. PLACEMENT OF FLORAL DECORATIONS

     Planting flowers is prohibited for FLUSH MARKERS! Cut flowers are allowed in a plastic vase only. NO glass vases are allowed

     3. UPRIGHT MONUMENT LOTS

         Planting of annual flowers in a 10” area directly in front of the monument is permitted.  Planted perennial flowers will be immediately removed without notice

     4. POTTED PLANTS

         Flower boxes and potted plants are allowed only during the ten (10) day period following Palm and Easter Sunday, Mother’s and Father’s Day. NO perennials are to be planted in the soil

    5. PROHIBITED

        Shrubbery, concrete products, crucifixes, candles, rosary beads, photos, balloons, figurines, borders, bric-a-brac, lights, pumpkins, artificial flowers, pinwheels, statues, Christmas ornaments, flags (other than an official cloth American flag) will be removed 

Visit our website at: https://stjosephbristol.org/cemetery

Cemetery rules and regulations are subject to change without notice

Revised November, 2022