The Only Catholic Diocesan Cemetery Serving San Diego County

Rules & Regulations

The Rules & Regulations of Holy Cross Catholic Cemetery & Mausoleum play an important part in the beautification and preservation of the sacred resting place of the faithful departed. They are not intended as restraining, but rather as defining an orderly plan of operation, care and maintenance.

Catholic cemeteries are holy places of prayer and remembrance. The Church honors the custom of families and
visitors expressing love and devotion for departed loved ones by decorating graves. However, decorating must
not create a safety hazard, impede proper maintenance, infringe on other graves, diminish the Catholic
character of the cemetery, or offend others. For these reasons, Holy Cross employs these Rules & Regulations
for the common good and sanctity of the cemetery and mausoleum.

These Rules & Regulations are subject to change without notice.

Visitor Conduct

All persons entering the cemetery, for whatever reason, must display proper respect for the deceased and for the sacred spaces in which they are interred.
Except for the purpose of a military salute by a military honor guard, firearms are not permitted on the cemetery grounds.
Dogs are not permitted on cemetery grounds, except for service dogs. Per California regulations, the cemetery is not required to allow access to service animals that pose a direct threat to others, are not under the handler’s care and control, or would fundamentally alter the nature of the sanctity of the
cemetery.
Dog walking, bicycle riding, jogging, loud music, barbeques or similar recreational activities are not permitted on cemetery grounds.
Use care when driving in the cemetery and do not block roads, walkways or other cars when parking.
The speed limit in the cemetery is 15 mph.
Alcohol is not permitted on cemetery grounds.
Children must be supervised by an adult at all times.
No persons shall loiter in the cemetery or any of the buildings. Any person found on the grounds after closing hours will be considered a trespasser.
Anyone disturbing the sanctity, solitude or orderliness of the cemetery or engaging in other improper conduct which violates the rules and regulations of the cemetery will be asked to leave the cemetery.

Decoration Rules

The cemetery has established regulations which govern the decoration of graves, crypts and niches. These regulations preserve the common good and, as broadly as possible, recognize customs and meet the needs of families while preserving the dignity of the cemetery and assuring safety of all who visit
or work within the cemetery.
The cemetery is not responsible for any decorations or other items/property placed on graves, crypts or niches. Items deemed by management to pose a safety hazard to either employees or visitors, or are not in keeping with the sanctity or appearance of the cemetery will be removed by cemetery employees as soon as identified and without notice.

Annual Decoration Schedule

The cemetery will allow more elaborate, temporary decorations on the following holidays:
o Easter – additional decorations can be placed one week before Easter Sunday and they will be
removed one week after Easter Sunday.
o Memorial Day – patriotic flags can be placed one week before Memorial Day and they will be
removed one week after Memorial Day.
o All Souls Day – additional decorations can be placed one week before All Souls Day and they
will be removed one week after All Souls Day.
o Christmas – additional decorations can be placed beginning December 16 and they will be
removed January 7.
If decorations are to be kept, they must be retrieved prior to the end of the holiday schedule. All
decorations will be removed and discarded the day after the schedule.

Prohibited Decorations

Prohibited decorations are too numerous to list. The most common include, but are not limited to, border enclosures, fencing, decorative stones and shells, glass and glassware, wax candles, votive candles, landscape lights, toys, pin-wheels, balloons, porcelain, bric-a-brac, shepherd’s hooks or other hanging devices, sprinkling cans, fraternal flag holders, sporting items, hats or similar articles. These are not permitted on any grave, lot or in trees.

Crypts and Niches

Fresh and artificial flowers are allowed on crypts and niches which have flower vases. Fresh flowers are removed when wilted. Artificial flowers are removed in July of each year or when faded. If a visitor wishes to retain artificial flowers, they must be retrieved before the end of June.
For uniform appearance, beauty and safety, no other decorations may be placed on crypt or niche fronts unless purchased through the cemetery. Prohibited items include, but are not limited to, stickers, decals, adhesives, cards and signs, writing with markers or staining with lipstick. Decorations placed on the floor in front of a crypt or niche are prohibited and will be removed and discarded.

Graves

Only fresh flowers, in a cemetery approved in-ground vase, are allowed on flat-marker graves.
Artificial flowers are never allowed on flat-marker graves.
No other decorations are permitted on flat-marker graves.
Flowers on flat-markers will usually be removed each Thursday for mowing.
Fresh or artificial flowers may be placed on monument graves in a cemetery approved vase.
Any other decorations on monument graves must be placed on the monument base and not on top of the monument or on the ground around the monument.
No more than two decorations per monument grave – exclusive of flowers. The cemetery reserves the right to remove and discard any excess decorations for the overall maintenance and appearance of the cemetery. These decorations cannot be glass, ceramic or metal flower vases of any kind as they are hazardous for the groundskeepers and visitors. Please see Prohibited Decorations above.
No tree, plant, flower or anything of a similar nature may be planted on any grave or in any area of the cemetery.
No digging is allowed anywhere on the cemetery premises.

Wind and Theft

Decorations may also be removed by either of these causes. The cemetery cannot assume liability for decorations. When items are blown about, the grounds crew has no choice but to dispose of them as replacement at specific sites is not possible.

Decorations Not Complaint With Rules

Cemetery employees work in the various sections of the cemetery on a regular basis. As part of their responsibilities, they maintain the beauty and safety of the cemetery. As instructed by these rules & regulations, to ensure their safety, and the safety of all who visit the cemetery, they are expected to remove decorations, which are not in compliance.
Flowers and all grave and crypt decorations will be removed periodically by cemetery personnel in order to maintain the appearance of the cemetery.