Va.gov: Lynchburg’s Old City Cemetery urges families to clear decorations for Clean-Up Week
va. gov readers tracking local government notices should know this: Old City Cemetery (OCC) in Lynchburg, Virginia will observe Clean-Up Week from April 1–7 as part of ongoing maintenance and preservation efforts. Families and visitors are being respectfully asked to temporarily remove personal decorative items from gravesites and the Scatter Gardens during that window. The City of Lynchburg says the temporary removal will allow staff to complete necessary grounds maintenance tied to long-term care and the dignity of the cemetery.
What the City of Lynchburg is asking visitors to do
The City of Lynchburg’s message is straightforward: during Clean-Up Week, personal items placed at gravesites and in the Scatter Gardens should be temporarily removed so crews can work through the cemetery efficiently. The city frames the request as part of established cemetery policies and procedures, emphasizing that the work is connected to preservation, ongoing maintenance, and keeping the grounds cared for in a way that reflects the cemetery’s purpose.
City officials also stress that items are not being permanently prohibited. The city states that items may be returned following the conclusion of Clean-Up Week.
Why the clean-up is being prioritized, including Potter’s Field
The city describes Clean-Up Week as an effort designed to support “long-term care” and the “dignity of the cemetery, ” language that underscores the preservation focus beyond routine mowing and trimming. In its notice, the City of Lynchburg highlights Potter’s Field as an area where the request is “especially important, ” explaining that regular upkeep there is essential.
For residents who want details on what is covered by cemetery policies and procedures during the April 1–7 period, the city directs questions to Old City Cemetery staff through the contact information provided in the notice.
Immediate guidance: timing, returns, and how to contact staff
Clean-Up Week is scheduled for April 1–7, and the city’s request applies throughout that period. The notice indicates that once the week ends, families and visitors can return decorative items they had temporarily removed.
Anyone needing additional information is encouraged to contact Old City Cemetery staff at occ@gravegarden. org or 434. 847. 1465. The City of Lynchburg is located at 900 Church Street, Lynchburg, VA 24504, with a main phone line listed as 434-856-2489 and hours of operation Monday through Friday, 8: 30 a. m. to 5: 00 p. m.
For va. gov audiences watching for public-service updates, the city’s direction is clear: remove items during the April 1–7 clean-up window, then return them after the work is complete, while using the cemetery’s staff contacts for any case-specific questions.