Davidson Town Council would like to extend a sincere apology to those families who were upset or hurt by the recent removal of decorative items from gravesites in the Davidson Cemetery.

We recognize that many of these items were placed with love and care to honour and remember family members and friends. We understand that the removal of these items caused distress, and we regret that this occurred without prior communication to the community.

These items were removed in accordance with Davidson Cemetery Bylaw No. 814, which prohibits vases, statues, solar lights, flags, stepping stones, and other decorative items that are not part of an approved monument and provides for their removal and disposal by the Town. While this regulation has been in place for many years, its enforcement had not been consistently applied in the past.

In hindsight, communication should have occurred before any action was taken, and for that we apologize.

As Council continues to review the operation and maintenance of the cemetery, we believe it is important to apply cemetery regulations consistently and fairly. The purpose of this bylaw is to help ensure the cemetery remains safe, accessible, well-maintained, and a peaceful place of reflection and remembrance for all visitors. Decorative items can create challenges for mowing, trimming, and ongoing maintenance and may present safety concerns for staff and visitors.

Moving forward, the Town will be enforcing this regulation. We respectfully ask that families remove any vases, statues, solar lights, flags, stepping stones, or other decorative items that are not part of an approved monument by July 20, 2026.

After this date, any remaining items will be removed and disposed of by the Town in accordance with Cemetery Bylaw No. 814.

We appreciate the community’s understanding and cooperation as we work to maintain the Davidson Cemetery as a respectful, beautiful, and serene place to honour loved ones. If you have questions regarding cemetery regulations, please contact the Town Office.

Thank you for your understanding and continued support.

Davidson Town Council