17968 Van Buren Blvd Riverside, CA 92508

(951)789-6375

(800)789-6375

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This section of our website was created to help our customers better understand how Riverside National Cemetery runs their funeral services. Many of our customers call in and express their concern for prompt delivery of their flower arrangements. Not to worry! We can assure you we deliver there on a daily basis and most often more then one service per day. We have years of experience delivering to the cemetery and have good communication with the cemetery representatives.

Here's how it goes:

First you will be asked for a date and time along with a staging area number. Please have the name of the deceased (Full legal name) and not of a family member. We (the florist) will be needing this information to deliver.

When you arrive at Riverside National Cemetery you will pull up the information booth.They will direct you to the service are attending.

SERVICE TIME: Please note that there are up to 30 services running a day. The actual time of the service is very important. If you do not know please call us or indicate this when you are checking out on the special instructions line of our shopping cart. We will call and confirm with the cemetery later.

STAGING AREA: Please note the staging area is just used as a parking lot- a place where family and friends can park and gather minutes before the actual service. For instance, if you were told to meet at staging area 2 , you will look for a posted sign which reads Staging Area 2 .Then if you look on the pavement you will see a red zone ( do no park in the red zone- this is parking for the Hurst and/or representative of the cemetery) keep this area clear and park behind this zone. Do not park ahead or across because you will be in the wrong service.

TIME: For example, if you were told the service is at 10:15 thats when the representative drives up and parks in the red zone. He/she will get out and talk to the immediate family. This is the time were all family and friend return to their vehicles and get ready to follow the representative.(Do not carpool from here ,take your vehicle).You will then follow the representative to a committal area. (Note: Do not arrive more then 30 minutes ahead of schedule because you will be asked to wait else where).

COMMITTAL AREA: Also known as a shelter is just like an out door patio. Each shelter has a name A through G. The letter of the shelter is not known until the very end. The representative will then count all cars in your service and decide which shelter your service will be held at because all shelters have drive ways with different lengths.

Once you arrive to the shelter the actual service runs 20-30 minutes long. Be sure to quickly exit your vehicle and take a seat upon arrival. When the service is over make sure to take all your belongings with you as well as any flower arrangements you may want to take home and exit the location right away. All other flower arrangements will be taken to the grave site and placed on top or near by. ( This is why the cemetery rules say a limit of 5 arrangements, they do not want an excessive amount) but on the contrary, we have delivered to services that have over 30 flower arrangements.. so they will not turn flowers away ,they would most likely ask you to take some home.

GATHERING TIME do not stay there at the shelter. If you would like to gather it would be best if accommodations were made else where, like at home or at a near by restaurant, for example.

*Flower Arrangement Recommendations :

#1: Standing sprays, wreaths, crosses, open hearts, solid hearts. ( recommended because of the wide open space where the services are held.) most likely these types of arrangements will go to the grave site.

#2: If there will be an urn present (cremation) a centerpiece or wreath to go next to or around the urn is our next suggestion. This arrangement ,along with the urn will go on top of a table.(table dimensions: top is square 2ft x 2ft - covered in green grass like material and is approx 3.5 ft in height )

#3: Basket arrangements of fresh flowers ( these will most likely be set on the floor) Easy to transport, can take home or leave at grave site.

#4: Plant/Garden basket , or a single potted plant . Easy to transport, Intended to be taken home. Fresh flowers may also be added.

**Extras!!**

*Weekly , bi-weekly, monthly, holiday deliveries to plots are available, please call us for more information. 951-789-6375 (We can also take pictures of delivered arrangements for you!)

*Visit our Floral Vending Machine on site: To be installed September 2011. This machine has 16 different flower arrangements to choose from. It has a touch screen & takes most major credit cards as well as cash( No change will be given , but credit vouchers will be awarded) . Located in the lobby of the main office building. Fast, easy & convenient.

*Floral policy rules for cemetery grounds as posted :

Cemetery policies are conspicuously posted and readily visible to the public.

Floral arrangements accompanying the casket or urn at the time of burial are limited to five arrangements and will be placed on the completed grave. They will be removed when they become unsightly or within three days of the burial.

Natural cut flowers may be placed on graves at any time of the year. They will be removed and disposed of when they become unsightly or when it becomes necessary to facilitate cemetery operations. Visitors may contact the office staff to learn when upcoming grounds maintenance activities will require removal of floral tributes. Regular floral removal schedules are posted at the temporary floral vase trees located throughout the cemetery.

Artificial flowers and potted plants are not permitted on graves at any time.

Privately owned, permanent in-ground flower containers are not permitted on gravesites.

The cemetery will provide temporary metal containers to the public for displaying floral arrangements.

When placing floral items, please do not use glass containers, rocks, wire or other objects that could cause injury to cemetery staff or visitors. Mowers and trimmers can cause unseen items to become dangerous projectiles.

Permanent plantings, statues, vigil lights, breakable objects and similar items are not permitted on the graves. The Department of Veterans Affairs does not permit adornments that are considered offensive, inconsistent with the dignity of the cemetery or considered hazardous to cemetery personnel. For example, items incorporating beads or wires may become entangled in mowers or other equipment and cause injury.

Permanent items removed from graves will be placed in an inconspicuous holding area for one month prior to disposal. Decorative items removed from graves remain the property of the donor but are under the custodianship of the cemetery. If not retrieved by the donor, they are then governed by the rules for disposal of federal property. They will not be sold, collected for sale or recycling, or removed.