Church Faces Criticism Over New Regulations On Grave Site Decoration

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) – A Coon Rapids church is facing a lot of criticism for changes made at its cemetery.

The Church of the Epiphany updated its rules for decorating grave sites.

Families had to remove all items for fall clean-up by Oct. 15 or maintenance crews would pick up the items and throw them away.

A number of families said they didn't know about the change and found their belongings in piles on the side of the cemetery.

For Amy Johnston and her dad, Robert, a trip to Epiphany Cemetery is never easy.

Sixteen years ago, Amy buried her baby boy, Ian.

"He was my first born," Amy said. "He was stillborn on his due date."

But Friday's visit was especially painful because Ian's grave has never looked so different.

"I look through this whole thing and it's empty," Amy said.

An area once filled with grave site decorations is now clear of all mementos because of new rules put in place by the Church of the Epiphany, which runs the cemetery.

"The updated rules, and the enforcement of them, are the result of maintenance and safety concerns," Parish Administrator Jay Tomaszewski wrote in an email.

Last week, clean-up crews went through the cemetery and picked up items at every single grave site. They were left in the back of the cemetery for families to come and claim.

"It hurts because that's all you have left of your child and you don't expect it to end up here," Amy said.

"I see, pretty much I see disrespect," Robert Johnston, Amy's dad, said.

The hundreds of crosses, angels and candles left in piles all violate the new fall clean-up rules.

The cemetery always clears the decorations for winter months, but the Johnston's say the infant area was always the exception.

"What would have made me much happier is if we would have been told that this year it includes baby land," Robert said.

"The fact of the matter is that the cemetery is much more full than it used to be. So, while strict enforcement may not have been required for these reasons in the past, the sheer volume of decorations now necessitates it. Additionally, the updated regulations align well with best and standard practices for cemeteries, "Tomaszewski said, via email.

After searching the piles of meaningful mementos, Robert found the grave site remembrance most important to his family.

Friday it was back in place, but only temporarily.

"We're going to take it with us. I'm afraid they'll take it away again," Robert said.

For the Johnston's this is more than a change to the rules.

It's changed the way they see their place to grieve.

"This is all I have of my child and it's like now I don't even want to come here," Amy said.

Tomaszewski said the church ran news of the updates in its weekly bulletin since March and posted signs at the cemetery entrances.

Visitors are allowed to decorate the graves with two items in the Spring.