Louisiana City to Remove Driving Hazards From Cemetery

Rails, cement posts, railroad ties and other objects set on corner cemetery plots to prevent drive-overs will be removed from a Bogalusa, La., cemetery as hazards to cars and trucks.

People have been making claims against the city for damage to their vehicles from objects on city property in Ponemah Cemetery, The Daily News reported.

Public Works Director James Hall said he understands that people are just trying to protect their loved ones’ remains. That’s OK on the 20-by-20 plots they own, but not on city property, he said.

“They can’t put up a hazard that the city is responsible for,” he said. “Now we’re starting to get claims. I don’t know if it’s because of bigger automobiles or careless drivers, but even funeral homes are complaining. They can’t get a hearse around.”

The city is giving everyone until the new year to move the items onto their plots.

In January, the city will pull up any remaining hazards and fill the holes in with sand, Hall said. Anyone who “puts one back” will be ticketed, he said.