City Cemeteries to undergo enhanced cleanup

Palatka Public Works administrator Amanda Turbeville meets with area funeral directors in the City’s Oak Hill West Cemetery. 

The City of Palatka is committed to maintaining the dignity and beauty of City-owned cemeteries as a place of remembrance and reflection for families. To ensure the cemeteries remain a peaceful and respectful final resting place, the City will conduct a cleanup to remove all mementos and items not permanently attached to headstones.

The City cemetery's rich history and significance to our community have provided solace and comfort for grieving families for many years. Over time, the tradition of leaving mementos, such as flowers, trinkets, and personal items, has become common among visitors. While these items serve as a heartfelt expression of love and remembrance, they can also accumulate and impact the overall appearance and maintenance of the cemetery. Items, such as flowers, may be left in vases that are attached to headstones. 

In response to these concerns and in consultation with cemetery caretakers and local funeral directors, the City has increased its efforts to clean up the properties and enforce existing rules. This program aims to ensure the cemetery's grounds remain well-maintained, safe, and accessible to all visitors.

The enhanced cleanup will begin on Nov. 20th and quarterly moving forward. Cemetery staff will carefully remove items not permanently attached to headstones during this period. Families are urged in the weeks before the cleanup effort to collect their cherished mementos around the resting places of their loved ones.

"We understand the sentimental value of these mementos, and we want to ensure that families have the chance to retrieve them," said Amanda Turbeville, Public Works administrator. "Our priority is to maintain the dignity of the cemeteries while being sensitive to the feelings and traditions of those who have loved ones interred here."

Families and individuals who wish to retrieve their mementos and cannot do so themselves are encouraged to contact the City of Palatka Public Works Department at [contact email] cemeteries@palatka-fl.gov or (386) 329-0107 to make arrangements for collection.

The City cemeteries included in this effort are Oak Hill East, 2900 Crill Ave., Oak Hill West, 712 South Palm Ave., and Westview, 317 Osceola Street. 

The City appreciates the understanding and cooperation of the community as it strives to preserve the City's cemeteries as places of respect and tranquility for all generations to come.

For more information or inquiries regarding the cleanup operation, please contact:

Amanda Turbeville
Public Works 
cemeteries@palatka-fl.gov
(386) 329-0107