Anyone who has lost a loved one in their family knows the pain one suffers. Sadly, for some, and understandably, that pain never goes away. Many feel the need to visit the gravesite regularly, bringing flowers to decorate the site. This, too, is understandable.
However, flowers do create more work for the employees who are not “just gardeners.” These workers see families grieving every day. They dig the hole, lower the casket, then put the dirt and sod back into place. They bury somebody’s loved one every day, including occasionally their own friends and family members. Not just a regular job!
These are special people. They do their best to make every family as comfortable as can be with their loss. Grounds maintenance is a huge part of this process, and Santa Maria has one of the most beautifully kept cemeteries around. I have read letters to the editor about workers falsely accused of stealing flowers off of graves, and not happy about rules being enforced. First, these workers do not steal flowers! However, there are people in this area who will and do steal or “grave rob” flowers, and I do hope they are reading this letter because they are “grave robbers.”
Furthermore, rules are needed in such cases as excessive artificial plants that do not decompose, adding to future problems of disposal if not put into proper recycling. In addition, they also interfere with machinery required to keep the grounds pretty and add to labor and machinery repair cost. Furthermore, offering families the opportunity to get their flowers or other items back is a voluntary option. Let’s look at the entire picture. These are honest, hardworking people, just like you and me.
These workers see and share grief on a daily basis. Unfortunately, sometimes employees get a few false accusations. How about a little consideration and respect for them?
This article appears in Mar 1-8, 2012.
