Rules and Regulations

Vases and shepherd’s hooks are not disturbed. Artificial items removed by January 17, 2025 will be available for family pick up at the Maintenance Building grounds inside the gate from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm daily for two months.

General Clean-Up Days

Grounds staff will completely clear the entire cemetery including the mausoleums of all decorations and shepherd’s hooks on the following dates:

March 10-14, 2025

September 8-12, 2025

Arrangements frozen in vases will be removed when they thaw. Floral arrangements that are removed during March and September clean-up days are not saved; shepherd’s hooks pulled are available for family pick up at the Maintenance Building grounds from 7:00 am to 2:00 pm.

Decoration Requirements

St. Charles Memorial Gardens encourages the use of floral tributes. The beauty and continuity of the cemetery Depends on the cooperative efforts of all families who have loved ones entrusted in our care. Therefore, we ask that you adhere to some equitable standards in regard to decorations.

THE FOLLOWING ARE SPECIFIC RULES COVERING REQUIREMENTS & ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE

Wreaths and Grave Blankets

Wreaths and evergreen grave blankets are permitted after Thanksgiving Day and may be ordered through our Flower and Gift Shop. They will be removed January 12, 2025, weather permitting. We are not responsible for these items if they become missing from the grave; replacement requests will be at the cost of the lot owner.

Approved Containers & Decorations

Graves with memorial markers WITH bronze vase: Flowers and/or shepherd’s hook IN the vase

Graves with NO marker and/or NO bronze vase: Temporary plastic vase at the head of the grave with flowers and/or single shepherd’s hook IN the vase.

Only one arrangement per grave space is allowed (exception: see “Garden of the Little Angels”).

Approved Floral Arrangements

Fresh-cut flowers or artificial flowers made of silk, polyethylene, or similar material are permitted year round. However, they will be removed when, in the judgement of the grounds staff, they are unsightly. All arrangements must be within a vase or hang from a single shepherd’s hook (see Approved Containers & Decorations Allowed).

Approved Shepherd’s Hook

A single shepherd’s hook is allowed with a maximum height of 37 inches. Double hooks are not allowed.

Garden of the Little Angels

Because permanent bronze vases are not permitted in this Garden, one arrangement in a plastic vase and one other permissible item may be placed in a temporary plastic vase or on a single shepherd’s hook on each grave. Permissible items are not allowed to be placed on the ground. All other decoration regulations apply.

Special Day Floral Arrangements

One additional permissible arrangement is permitted on Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother’s Day, Memorial Day, and Father’s Day. The additional arrangements will be permitted to remain for seven days, after which time they will be removed by our grounds staff. Anniversary and Birthday arrangements must be labeled with a seven day “special day tag” which is available in our Flower and Gift Shop. U.S. flags outside the vase are ermitted one week before and after Memorial Day.

Temporary Grave Markers

Temporary grave markers designed and ordered by cemetery personnel at the request of the family are allowed until the permanent bronze memorial is installed or for a period of six months from the interment date, whichever occurs first; then the temporary marker will be removed. No other grave markings are allowed.

Private Mausoleums

Private mausoleum owners have purchased the right for additional decorations and plantings immediately around their mausoleums. Expensive or breakable arrangements are discouraged, and it is understood that we are not responsible for the safety of these items. All permanent plantings (perennials, evergreens, trees, or bushes) must be approved by the Grounds Superintendent. The family/mausoleum owner is responsible for the care of any annual flowers planted.

Tranquility Columbarium Suite

St. Charles Memorial Gardens reserves the right to open a niche and remove any (1) objectively offensive material or (2) items in niches that are overfilled. 

Urns or any other receptacles containing cremated remains may not be placed in a niche without prior approval from St. Charles Memorial Gardens. 

Temporary plastic urns, cardboard urns, or cremated remains placed solely in plastic or other bags are not allowed. Urns must be pre-approved by St. Charles Memorial Gardens.

Only St. Charles Memorial Gardens personnel may open a niche. To have personal items placed in a niche, please ask St. Charles Memorial Gardens personnel to assist with placement. 

St. Charles Memorial Gardens is not responsible for lost, stolen, or otherwise misplaced items. You are placing items in a niche at your own risk and understand that St. Charles Memorial Gardens cannot and does not guarantee or warrant that the niche will be fully secure at all times. Please consider the risk prior to placing high value items in a niche.

Items may not be placed outside of a niche on the glass or on the ground near a niche. Items improperly placed will be removed. This ensures a pristine and dignified experience for all loved ones and visitors at the cemetery.

St. Charles Memorial Gardens personnel will only open a niche 4 times per year. A fee will be charged for more than 4 annual openings.

Only the owner of a niche may authorize the opening of a niche and the placement of items within a niche. Items placed by someone who is not the owner are subject to removal. The owner must be present at the opening unless they provide St. Charles Memorial Gardens written authority otherwise. St. Charles Memorial Gardens may require the owner to be present at its sole discretion.



While we do everything in our power to protect personal property placed in the cemetery, St. Charles Memorial Gardens is not responsible for any decorations that become damaged, misplaced, stolen, etc., & have no control over seasonal changes affecting grass growth & appearance. 

Due to the absence of lighting features, and in consideration of the safety of our guests, the Cemetery closes for property owners and visitors at dusk.

Please stop by our office or call us at 636-946-6935 for more information. We are located at 3950 West Clay Street, Suite 200, St. Charles, MO 63301, and are open 7 days a week from 8:30 am – 4:30 pm

For our full list of rules and regulations, please click here.