New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery

New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery Guidelines

• The Cemetery shall be open to the public during daylight hours, seven days a week.
• All persons within the Cemetery will conduct themselves in a manner respectful of a hallowed place. Indecorous behavior will not be tolerated and persons violating reasonable standards of behavior will be subject to removal from the grounds at the absolute discretion of the Director.
• Pets are allowed in the Cemetery provided they are on a leash; stay on cemetery roads and the persons walking the pet(s) will clean up defecation.
• Bicycles and motorized cycles are allowed on the roads in the cemetery if they are there for the purpose of visiting a deceased veteran and/or a deceased family member.
• Skateboards, roller blades, manual scooters and any other such type of recreation or transportation are not allowed in the Cemetery.
• Snowmobiles are not allowed on the Cemetery grounds, except in the designated locations where grave plots are not prepared. Snowmobile trails have been agreed to with the local snowmobile clubs.
• Visitors, except while acting as military escorts are prohibited from bringing firearms or explosives of any kind into the Cemetery. All hunting within the Cemetery is prohibited.
• Disposal of trash, flowers, containers or any other debris is prohibited except in the proper disposal containers provided by the Cemetery.
• Motor vehicles shall be driven at a speed no greater than 15 miles per hour and shall be kept to the right side of the roadways.
• Parking of motor vehicles shall be at the discretion and direction of the Director. Parking will be allowed in designated areas only and shall never block the roadways. Motor vehicles shall not be driven or parked on grass areas unless so directed.
• Motor vehicles shall not stop or park near an open grave while an interment is in progress.
• Planting of trees, shrubs, or flowers by any person other then the Director or his agents is prohibited.
• Refer to the Floral Tributes section of the Cemetery Rules and Regulations for information on what is or is not allowed on gravesites.
• All visitors are forbidden from damaging trees, shrubs, plants or lawns. The Cemetery grounds and/or grave markers may not be marked, defaced, or damaged in any way.
• Cemetery employees are prohibited from performing any work directly requested of them by anyone other then the Director. No money shall be offered or paid to Cemetery employees for personal services or as a gesture of gratitude. All inquiries regarding work performance should be directed to the Director.
• The Cemetery does not provide pallbearers, color guards, or other ceremonial activities.

Floral Tributes and Flags for Gravesites

• Flowers
       Fresh cut may be placed on graves at anytime. Containers for upright cut flowers may be used from Apr. 1 – Oct. 15 and are provided by the cemetery (located at water stations). Other containers (glass, ceramic, etc.) are not allowed.
       Artificial flowers are only permitted during the period of Oct. 15 – Mar. 31 and only then for a period not to exceed 10 days. Artificial flowers exceeding the 10 day limit will be removed and disposed of by cemetery personnel.
• Floral displays utilizing natural flowers may be placed on the day of interment to remain for a period not to exceed 48 hours.
• Floral displays and/or potted plants in suitable containers are permitted 5 days before through 5 days after Memorial Day.
• Wreaths Holiday wreaths (fresh or artificial) may be placed on the gravesites from Dec. 1 – Jan. 2. Wreath stands are not permitted at any time
• Flags will be placed on graves by the appropriate veterans organizations for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Flags are not permitted on graves at any other time. The Circle of Flags provides honor to all veterans buried in the cemetery.
• Unauthorized Decorations such as permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, upright metal grave markers (flag holders), support stands of any kind, breakable objects of any kind, and similar commemorative items are not permitted on graves. Unauthorized items will be removed and disposed of by cemetery personnel.
   
  Note: for a, b and c. above: Cemetery personnel will remove all floral tributes and containers at the expiration of permissible periods or when the flowers become withered, faded, or otherwise unsightly. Potted plants removed from gravesites may be used and planted in planting areas in the cemetery by the cemetery staff. The cemetery personnel will dispose of all containers in a method deemed appropriate. The cemetery will not be responsible for damaged or lost containers or lost floral tributes.

Floral Tributes and Flags for Columbarium

• Floral displays utilizing natural flowers may be placed on the ground in front of the niche on the day of interment to remain for a period not to exceed 48 hours. Artificial flowers are not allowed at any time in these locations.
• Flags will be only placed in the Columbarium area by the appropriate veterans’ organizations for Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Flags are not permitted at any other time. The Circle of Flags provides honor to all veterans buried in the cemetery.
• Unauthorized Items such as memorabilia, statues, vigil lights, flags, breakable objects of any kind, and similar commemorative items are not permitted at the Columbarium. All items will be removed and disposed of by cemetery personnel. The placing of items on the niche covers and or bronze markers can cause permanent damage. At no time will any items be placed on or permanently affixed to the face of the Columbarium or bronze marker.
• All unauthorized floral tributes and decorations will be disposed of by cemetery personnel in a method deemed appropriate. The Columbarium has planters that will be utilized by the cemetery personnel to plant flowers in season.