Mementos removed from grave sites at Finley Cemetery in Harrison County

Loved ones are speaking out after they say mementos were moved from the graves of family members at one Harrison County cemetery.

For Megan Saucier, finding out that items of remembrance were removed from her grandmother’s gravesite brought on a wave of emotions. “It’s devastating for us and everyone else that has stuff missing and broken and taken.”

Saucier and her family found out via Facebook that items on some graves in the back portion of Finley Cemetery were moved to one location. However, they were unable to locate their specific items and Saucier described the search for them. “When we first got notified of it, it was just thrown in a pile. There was stuff broken, angels broken in half and the little LED lights were broken.”

A sign at the back of the cemetery states that after 30 days wreaths, flowers, and other personal items will be disposed of by the county.

Harrison County Board Attorney Tim Holleman tells News 25 the items are placed in a select spot for loved ones to pick them up if they wish, but families still would like to see even more notice before things are removed. “If they’re going to do this again, put a notice out in the news or wherever they can get it out to everyone to give them a date to come get their stuff rather than just taking it upon themselves to come out here and throw it back here,” said Saucier.

A sentiment echoed by Lisa Wales after taking a trip to see if her mother’s grave was affected. “People pay for these plots. We pay to have our family buried here. I feel like we should have an option on what we put on them.”