She asked for help decorating graves at a historic West Allis cemetery. The response surprised her.
There’s been a bit more activity recently at Honey Creek Cemetery in West Allis, where residents have been busy putting holiday decorations next to the cemetery’s gravestones, making sure those departed are not forgotten this holiday season.
They’re responding to a request from Lois Pocian, the cemetarian at Honey Creek, who shared the idea Nov. 23 on Facebook.
“Not sure if anyone would be interested, but what if we would each bring one Christmas decoration to the cemetery to stick in by a marker,” Pocian wrote in her post. “It wouldn’t have to be fancy, maybe a poinsettia from the dollar store that could be pushed into the ground.”
Her post garnered hundreds of reactions and dozens of comments.
At first, Pocian wasn't sure how to interpret the reaction.
“I was worried, because sometimes you put stuff on Facebook (and) everybody likes it, but nobody really follows through,” Pocian said.
People are following through.
Pocian said she’s pleased with the turnout and things are “looking good” at the historic cemetery along 84th Street, just south of the West Allis Historical Society, as folks continue to filter in and place decorations by the stones.
Pocian’s idea doesn’t call for extravagant decorations, just simple items such as poinsettias, candy canes or snowmen that can be stuck into the ground next to the markers.
Decorations aren't being placed on or attached to the gravestones themselves.
“Some of these graves, if you think about it, are over 100 years old and probably haven't seen decorations in that long,” she said. “So it’s kind of nice for the respect for the person that's in the grave.”
The decorating started after Thanksgiving and Pocian said will likely last through the Christmas season.
Then, folks can come and collect the decorations if they want them back. Otherwise, Pocian will collect and store them for future use.
The activity is an offshoot of an effort by Pocian to improve the look of the cemetery; she approached the city about the idea in 2021 after noticing the cemetery had leaning headstones, markers obscured by overgrowth and areas of sinking soil.
Now it's about adding a seasonal touch.
That includes the gated entrance, which is now graced with two large candy canes, three oversized hanging ornaments and two decorative red wreaths.
They were purchased thanks to a donor who sought out Pocian this past summer at the cemetery and gave her a $200 gift card for The Home Depot to use for flowers or Christmas decorations.
Contact Bob Dohr at 262-361-9140 or bob.dohr@jrn.com. Follow him on Twitter at @BobDohr1.
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This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: West Allis residents place Christmas decorations at historic cemetery
