State Veterans Cemetery Flower Rules: How They Differ From VA National Cemeteries

Many veterans are buried not in a VA national cemetery but in a state veterans cemetery, run by the state's department of veterans affairs with VA grant money. They look alike, with the same upright white headstones or flat markers in straight rows, and families assume the flower rules are the same. They are not. Each state writes its own, and the differences decide whether your flowers are still there next week.

What VA national cemeteries allow

At VA national cemeteries, fresh-cut flowers are allowed any time of year, artificial flowers only in a window the cemetery sets, and nothing may be attached to a headstone or taller than it. Long Island National Cemetery, for example, allows artificial and potted flowers from October 10 through April 15; Wood National Cemetery in Milwaukee allows them from October 1 through April 1. Our guide to flowers at a national cemetery has the full list.

How state cemeteries differ

Three state policies, quoted from the states' own documents, show the range:

• Kentucky allows artificial flowers "only from November 11th to March 1st," removes them for mowing season, and requires all flowers to be displayed in the vases the cemetery provides. Christmas wreaths are permitted from December 1 until January 20. Saddles, grave blankets, vigil lights, shepherd's hooks and flag standards are removed immediately, and flowers are not permitted in the columbarium area at all.
• Washington State Veterans Cemetery in Medical Lake allows artificial flowers "only during the period of November through March," limits a grave to three vases, allows potted plants only ten days before and after Easter and Memorial Day, and permits wreaths and grave blankets from December 10 to January 10. Flags go out on Memorial Day only, placed and removed by staff.
• Idaho State Veterans Cemetery in Boise does not allow artificial flowers, potted plants or glass vases at any time of year, because they interfere with maintenance and can damage markers. Fresh flowers go in the green cone vases the cemetery supplies. Coins, mementos and balloons are removed.

So the same silk arrangement that is welcome in Kentucky in December is removed in Idaho the same week, and allowed in Washington only if it is one of three vases.

What is the same almost everywhere

• Fresh-cut flowers are allowed year-round and removed when they wilt.
• Nothing may be attached, taped or glued to a headstone or niche cover.
• No permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, glass or breakable items.
• Removed items are held for a short period, often a month, then disposed of. Staff are not responsible for anything left at a grave.

How to check your cemetery

Search for the cemetery's name with "floral regulations" or "floral policy"; most states post a one-page PDF. If you cannot find it, the rules are posted at the entrance and the office will read them to you over the phone. The VA's cemetery locator lists every state veterans cemetery with its phone number. When in doubt, bring fresh flowers in the cemetery's own vase; that is allowed everywhere.

For a national cemetery's rules in detail, see Fort Bliss National Cemetery.