New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery

Floral Tributes

Day of Interment

• Floral wreaths, arrangements, bouquets, sprays, and similar displays may be placed on a grave or at the base of a columbarium in connection with a scheduled interment service ONLY and will remain for approximately two (2) days.
• Any containers used must be made of a non-breakable material (NO glass, ceramic, terra cotta, etc.).
• Support stands may be used during a scheduled interment service ONLY and may not remain on graves or beside columbaria.
• Floral displays must not hinder cemetery operations. Excessive floral displays will be removed.
• Floral displays placed without connection to a scheduled interment service are prohibited and will be removed.

Existing Graves

• Fresh-cut flowers may be placed beside headstones or at the base of columbaria throughout the year and will remain until they are withered, faded, or otherwise unsightly.
• Artificial flowers may be placed beside headstones or at the base of columbaria from November 1^st through April 30^th and will remain until collected.
• All artificial flowers in the cemetery will be collected by cemetery staff on the 1^st and 3^rd Wednesday of each approved month and stored in a publically accessible location until the next collection day.
• Any artificial flowers left in the cemetery from May 1^st through October 31^st will be removed.
• Plastic vases with a ground spike may be used from May 1^st through October 31^st and are provided to the public in wood-slatted barrels at watering stations located throughout the cemetery.
• Cemetery-provided green, plastic vases are for flowers and water ONLY. No dirt or other filler should be placed in cemetery vases.
• Other styles of vase are prohibited in the cemetery and will be exchanged and removed.
• Only two (2) vases may remain on a grave at a time. Excess vases on a single grave may be removed and the flowers consolidated.
• Vases provided by the cemetery are for use in the NH State Veterans Cemetery ONLY and may not be removed from the property.

Potted Plants

• Potted plants may be placed and remain beside headstones or in cemetery flowerbeds from May 20^th through May 31^st in observance of Memorial Day.
• Potted plants are prohibited on sidewalks or at the base of columbaria. Any found will be moved to a cemetery flowerbed.
• Potted plants will NOT be staked, weighted, or otherwise fixed in place.
• Containers must be made of a non-breakable material (NO glass, ceramic, terra cotta, etc.) and be no larger than ten (10) inches in diameter.
• Any potted plants in breakable containers or in containers larger than ten (10) inches in diameter will be removed and sequestered by cemetery staff.
• Any potted plants left in the cemetery from June 1^st through May 19^th will be removed and may be planted in cemetery flowerbeds by cemetery staff ONLY.

Holiday Wreaths

• Individual evergreen wreaths with a red bow may be placed on graves from Thankgsgiving through January 1^st.
• Wreaths for Boscawen is held on the first Saturday in December at 10:30 AM. No wreath events are authorized prior to this event. 
• Wreaths must be no larger than 24 inches in diameter and must either lean against the front of a headstone or lay flat in a cemetery flowerbed.
• Wreaths are prohibited on sidewalks or at the base of columbaria. Any found will be moved to a cemetery flowerbed.
• Wreaths will NOT be secured to headstones in any way.
• Wreath stands are prohibited in the cemetery and will be removed.
• Only one (1) wreath may remain on a grave at a time. Excess wreaths on a single grave will be removed.
• Any wreaths left in the cemetery from January 2^nd through November 30^th will be removed.

Flags

• The cemetery’s central flags provide perpetual honor to all veterans laid to rest in the cemetery.
• American flags are placed on all graves and occupied columbaria by cemetery staff and approved volunteers in observance of Memorial Day and Veterans Day ONLY and are prohibited at any other time.
• Other flags are prohibited on graves or columbaria without the explicit permission of cemetery staff and will otherwise be removed.

Unauthorized Decorations

• Personal items and decorations – except for specified floral tributes – are prohibited on graves or columbaria and will be removed.
• Personal items and decorations – including floral tributes – are prohibited in the Memorial Walkway or on flagpoles without the explicit permission of cemetery staff and will otherwise be removed.
• Personal items and decorations will NOT be taped, glued, tied, hung, or otherwise attached to headstones, niche covers, bronze markers, or monuments.
• Containers made from breakable materials (glass, ceramic, terra cotta, etc.) are strictly prohibited in the cemetery and will be removed.
• Support stands of any kind are ONLY permitted during a scheduled interment service and will otherwise be removed.

The NH State Veterans Cemetery is NOT responsible for damaged, lost, stolen, removed, or otherwise missing floral tributes, personal items, or decorations

Interpretations, exceptions, and modifications to these rules and regulations are at the discretion of cemetery staff

General Rules & Regulations

1. Cemetery grounds are open to the public during daylight hours, seven days a week.

2. All persons are to conduct themselves in a manner respectful of this hallowed ground.

3. The speed limit on cemetery grounds is 10 mph.

4. Vehicle movement and parking must be on paved roads or in designated parking spaces at all times unless otherwise instructed by cemetery staff.

5. Pets must be leashed and remain on pavement at all times.  Out of respect, please clean up after pets.

6. Planting trees, shrubs, or flowers is prohibited except as directed by cemetery staff.

7. Headstones and columbaria will not be marked, defaced, or damaged.

8. Unless attending, avoid entering or driving by a section while a service is in progress.

9. Cemetery roads are occasionally blocked in order to facilitate parking and allow for quiet during a service.  Please do not bypass traffic cones or interrupt any service.

10. Skateboards, roller blades, scooters, or anything similar are not allowed on cemetery grounds.

11. Firearms and explosives are strictly prohibited on cemetery grounds unless authorized by the cemetery to conduct military honors.  Hunting is also prohibited on cemetery grounds.

12. The cemetery staff is proud to serve veterans and their families.  They cannot and will not accept money or gifts for their services.  Feedback regarding work performance or service should be directed to the Cemetery Director.

13. Interpretations, exceptions, and modifications to these rules and regulations are at the discretion of cemetery staff.