Artificial flowers not a grave concern, says city

They say you can’t fight city hall, unless maybe you use plastic flowers.

City council is considering amending a long-standing by-law to allow loved ones to leave artificial flowers at grave sites, when previously only fresh flowers were allowed.

A report to council says there has been an increase in the use of artificial flowers in front of grave markers.

Rachel Tyczinski, deputy city clerk, said city staff discovered an increase in people leaving artificial flowers at city cemeteries, despite the practice being prohibited.

“It became apparent what was in the by-law was not necessarily actual practice,” said Tyczinski.

She cited safety concerns as one possible reason the by-law prohibiting artificial flowers was enacted in the first place.

“[Cemetary staff] try to be compassionate about what people want to do, but they have to be careful about where things are in terms of their weed-whacking, worker safety and such,” Tyczinski said.

Fresh flowers are currently allowed in the area immediately in front of graves with markers, no wider than 16 inches and no longer than the base of the marker and only in certain cemeteries.

The proposed changes to the by-law will change the wording to ‘fresh or artificial flowers.’

Shirley Richards, co-owner of Mann Florist, said she remembers the uproar when the by-law prohibiting artificial flowers was first enacted in 1993.

“A lot of people were upset but they said it was for the safety of the staff. To see they are changing their mind, I think that’s really good,” said Richards.

Mann Florist, which sells fresh and artificial flowers, has also seen an increase in sales of saddle-style artificial flowers that sit above the grave marker.

Richards said she welcomes the city allowing artificial flowers in the bed in front of the marker.

“It’s always nice to see people go to the cemetery bringing flowers. It’s such a personal touch,” said Richards.

The city has been examining the existing cemetery by-laws as a result of legislative changes the province made in 2012.

That led to recent changes to the city by-law which will allow dogs to be walked in cemeteries if on a leash and a previous change which allowed people to resell unused burial plots.

If adopted by council, the recent by-law changes will then have to be approved by the province.

(FILE PHOTO: Donna Hopper/SooToday)