qathet Regional District (qRD) staff will be directed to take a look at the matter of flowers at the Powell River Regional Cemetery mausoleum.
At the January 11 regional district committee of the whole meeting, Don Villani made a presentation about the inability to place flowers in front of the crypts in the mausoleum. He said according to a regional district bylaw dated 2016, placement of flowers is not allowed.
“It’s just inhuman,” said Villani.
He said he had reserved six crypts in the mausoleum nearly eight years ago. His parents are resting in the mausoleum as they were members and founders of it. Spots have been reserved in the glassed-in area so his family will eventually be together again, he added.
“At no time, when I was purchasing this, was I ever told nor shown that we would not be able to lay flowers in front,” said Villani. “When I was reserving these crypts I was told, and I vividly remember, if you wanted to put a picture inside the glassed area, you would have to purchase and conform with this bylaw with a frame from the regional district at a cost of over $300. That was seven and a half years ago.”
He said he has brought flowers periodically to the mausoleum in the past and nothing was ever said. He said his wife passed away 15 months ago and he visits regularly.
“I take flowers because I need to,” said Villani.
On the first anniversary of his wife’s passing last October, he took flowers and four days later he went again to visit. The flowers had been removed and had been put on the far side of the mausoleum on a bench, according to Villani.
“I regarded that as disrespectful, not called for, and upsetting,” said Villani. “I asked for a reason and was told to pull out the bylaws for the cemetery. Sure enough, there is actually a paragraph there that says no flowers allowed beyond two weeks of interment. It was a surprise to me.
“I was told that having flowers in front created a safety hazard. I kind of had to shake my head. Accidents do happen and people could trip I suppose, but when I look outside at the cemetery, I see well over a third of the graves with a vase and flowers protruding out. I have never seen anyone fall down or get hurt.”
Villani said he had suggested making a space in front of the crypts and roping off the area so flowers can be placed. Another solution would be building a shelf on casters so it could be easily moved if work has to be done, he added.
“There are different ways this can be achieved in a respectful way and allow what is done all over the world in front of the crypts,” said Villani.
City of Powell River director George Doubt made a motion to refer Villani’s suggestions to staff for a report.
Fellow city director Cindy Elliott said Villani’s request is reasonable and she is in favour of hearing from staff on how to remedy the situation.
The motion to refer the matter to staff carried.
