Watch Out for Cemetery Wildlife!

Cemeteries are often thought of only as a final destination. A place of peace and a final resting place for those that have died before us. Of course, cemeteries are places of death, but they are also places of abundant life and beauty. Flora and fauna thrive in these places of solace and contemplation and we encourage you to visit a cemetery even if you’re not coming to spend time with one of the residents. But please be aware that things we do in the cemetery can be dangerous for the wildlife.

Helium balloons are fun and can be a wonderful addition to brighten up a grave. Just remember that once the balloon loses its loft, it will fall to the ground, and the string holding it down with it. These strings, if eaten by wildlife, present a choking or entanglement hazard that can be detrimental or even fatal. If a balloon gets loose and becomes stuck in tree branches it can become a hazard to the various birds that make their homes in our many trees. Be aware that items like these will be removed if they pose a danger to our living residents.

Chemical cleaners also pose a toxic hazard to all wildlife (and humans too). To avoid this the Ewing Cemetery has sourced a non-toxic chemical cleaner specifically for cleaning tombstones and statuary. This cleaner is also safe for use on softer marble stones and we are thrilled to be able to use it to keep the monuments honoring our dead always looking beautiful while not endangering our living friends.

While it can add a meaningful moment during an interment, the practice of releasing doves in our cemetery is dangerous to the doves themselves. We have many predatory hawks of various sizes that visit and take shelter on our grounds. It is sad to see a pile of white feathers at the bottom of a tree the day after a dove release ceremony

Shepard’s hooks and garden flags pose snagging hazards to both wildlife and our groundsmen and landscapers. Such items are not allowed in the cemetery for that reason.

One thing that our wildlife does that is hazardous to our visitors

We have many creatures that burrow to make their homes. While we try to do our best to fill in those burrows (without harming the animals) as they come to our attention, we need and encourage our human visitors to let us know when they come across one. Please be aware of this when you are walking and watch where you step so you are not injured by our resident wildlife’s (temporary) homes.

Please always feel welcome to visit our cemetery even if you don’t have a loved one residing here. We encourage you to enjoy all the beauty, solace, nature, wildlife, and sunshine anytime.