Shepherd hooks not allowed in city-owned cemeteries

(From the City of Joplin)

Beginning June 6, 2016 shepherd’s hooks will no longer be allowed at the City’s cemeteries due to safety and maintenance concerns. Signs are posted in the City’s four cemeteries to alert citizens to this new policy. Cemeteries owned and operated by the City of Joplin include: Fairview Cemetery, 13th & Maiden Lane; Forest Park Cemetery,4th and Range Line; Osborne Memorial Cemetery, 33rd and McClelland Boulevard – west side; and Parkway Cemetery, 33rd and McClelland Boulevard – east side.

On June 6, the hooks will be removed along with Memorial Day decorations.

“Shepherd hooks are often in areas that our cemetery crews have to access when opening new sites, and some of these have been placed within concrete,” said Dickie Gray, cemetery supervisor for the City. “We are respectful of items placed at the gravesites, however this makes it very difficult for the crews to remove these without damaging them.”

Gray also said that the hooks are not always stable, sometimes leaning or falling due to winds or the weight of items hanging on them. During the mowing season, the hooks create difficult maneuvers as well as an unsafe environment due to the instability.

The City also reminds the public that Memorial Day flowers will be removed on Monday, June 6. Citizens who would like to keep these decorations should remove the decorative items prior to that date.

“Due to the mowing of the cemeteries, flowers need to be removed from gravesites to provide a clear path for the mowers,” he said. “We appreciate the public’s understanding of these policies and encourage them to remove shepherd hooks and flowers from loved ones’ graves prior to June 6.”

For more information about Joplin cemeteries, please call 417-623-7990 or click on the link at the end of this article.

Additional Info on City's cemeteries...