Cd'A Memorial Gardens pulls keepsakes from cemetery grounds

If you’re planning to visit the grave of a loved one at the Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens cemetery this weekend, don’t be alarmed if your recently-placed flowers or memorabilia are missing.

The Government Way cemetery announced on its Facebook page that its staff is in the process of removing all grave decorations, as well as flipping vases to their resting positions, in the annual winter preparations.

“This is done so we don’t hit vases and decorations,” the Friday post reads, “or damage our equipment during our snow seasons.”

Sam Harris, manager of Coeur d’Alene Memorial Gardens, told the Coeur d'Alene Press loved ones can retrieve personal items for the next two weeks.

“We actually keep the items out back,” Harris explained, “section by section, so families can come and pick up what they need to pick up.”

Those personal items will be kept out back for loved ones to retrieve over the next two weeks. Any items placed on graves between now and April 15 will be removed, according to the cemetery post. Those having trouble finding personal items are urged to contact cemetery personnel on site or by calling the cemetery’s office at 208-772-4015 to help identify the correct pile.

Some residents with loved ones resting in peace at the Memorial Gardens cemetery said they were stunned to learn of the winter preparations when they visited the grounds this week to discover their personal belongings missing from the gravestones.

“I wish we would have known,” said Jill Monroe of Coeur d’Alene. “I wish we would have been notified in advance. I was shocked when I went there. I’m glad it wasn’t Monday night when I brought the grandkids to their Dad’s anniversary.”

Harris said the cemetery only posts clean-up notices on its social media account and does not notify families individually.