Must just be a Utah thing (Bountiful, Roy: home, buy, camp)

[Hiruko]

Originally Posted by kletter1mann

False. It may be done by some people all over the country, but it's not widely practiced everywhere.

Much of my family is from the northeast, dating all the way back to the 17th century. My great-aunt from Manhattan has always visited and decorated the graves of her relatives from Ohio up through New York. I have never done it, but there are a lot of people that do it. Enough people do it that you should be aware of the tradition.

[SouthernBelleInUtah]

Originally Posted by kletter1mann

False. It may be done by some people all over the country, but it's not widely practiced everywhere.

Not where you lived and not in your culture, but widely done in the country and other cultures.

[motormaker]

It's some what of a tradition in So CA and where I lived on OH.

[stiffnecked]

Originally Posted by MtDreamer16

I remember it being called Decoration Day by my mom, who was from the South. Memorial Day was originally Decoration Day shortly after the Civil War. It was called that for a long time, and didn't officially become a holiday until 1971 I believe. I think a lot of folks from the South still refer to it as Decoration Day, but it's for all those who have died in all American wars.

Growing up in the Midwest it was definitely a really big thing. It got to where we couldn't even go to the national cemetery, Jefferson Barracks, where my dad and mom are buried because the crowds are huge. Boy Scouts start a couple of days before putting flags on every grave - thousands of them. It's really beautiful to see. Now, there are bands and speeches by politicians and stuff, and they have to bus people to the cemetery.

One of the things we like about SLC is how graves are attended to. We live across from a cemetery, and it's been loaded with flowers and flags for days. Just waves of them. But, cemeteries here are regularly decorated and attended, which I appreciate as a sign of respect and remembrance.

My grandmother called it Decoration Day and we've continued that tradition.

[Geo-Aggie]

Confirming that this is also a thing in Southern California and the Upper Midwest. I figured it was done nationwide. Based on comments here it sounds like it may not be done in the Northeast and New England?

[irman]

Originally Posted by Geo-Aggie

Confirming that this is also a thing in Southern California and the Upper Midwest. I figured it was done nationwide. Based on comments here it sounds like it may not be done in the Northeast and New England?

Considering that it is probably done in every State of the USA, except not by every household in that State.

"it may not be done in the Northeast and New England.", may mean that nobody does it at all in those two States, which I doubt. There is probably at least household that may do it?
Just because an individual does not know anybody who does it, does NOT mean it not done at all in that State.

What affects me is that this Holiday is often "celebrated" by "fun" events.
Only shows me that those who do that, have forgotten what it really was, and still is, all about.

To *me*, it is a very Solemn Occasion where I reflect on what the people who died for our Freedom have done for us.

I do not decorate the graves of my fallen comrades with flags, because somebody else did that for me. I usually bring some small flower arrangements and sit down near the grave and try to remember the good times we had and how bad I feel now because they are NOT here anymore.
I was just one lucky guy who came back from the war but many of my Army buddies never made it back ...


https://www.patspulpit.com/2018/5/29...edelman-thuney

A sad example of what Memorial Day means to some people
http://thehill.com/blogs/pundits-blo...f-memorial-day

[SWFL_Native]

Originally Posted by Katzpur

Last night my husband and I went out to dinner with a couple we met a few months back. He's originally from Philly, and she's originally from New York City. They met in Florida, returned to Philly and got married. They've been here in Salt Lake for five years. So, we were getting caught up on stuff and I mentioned that I'd spent most of the day with my sister driving up to the cemetery in Bountiful and then back to one in Salt Lake, just decorating graves. They both looked at me like I had just landed here from another planet. "You do what?" they asked, incredulous expressions on their faces. "Well, that's where our parents and grandparents are buried," I explained. They were still absolutely baffled. They had no idea in the world that this is what people do on Memorial Day (or at least the Memorial Day weekend). I had to explain how we cleaned the headstones and got rid of any dead grass, leaves, etc. that were covering them, how we went about getting the flowers and arranging them, how we put flags by the graves of the ones who's served in the armed forces, and would return to the cemetery in a week to pick up the vases and flags so that we could use them next year. They had never heard of such a strange custom! It blew my sheltered little mind!

Cremation if very common back east. Essentially everyone in my family in NY, OH, and FL has been cremated upon passing. We have a one time service/ceremony "celebration of life" and then that is move along with your day/life.

[irman]

Originally Posted by SWFL_Native

Cremation if very common back east. Essentially everyone in my family in NY, OH, and FL has been cremated upon passing. We have a one time service/ceremony "celebration of life" and then (that is) move along with your day/life.

This is done by almost all families.

Many others honour their ancestry by "remembering" them on certain days.
Even tho my Mum mentioned, before her death, "Let the Dead take care of the Dead", I *remember" her on her birthday.

Since there really is NO official day set aside for civilian persons who have passed away, Memorial Day (set aside for military personnel only) is used by civilians.

[bgrasser]

I recall my Mothers older Sisters visiting
the graves of family, my mother and my immediate
family didn't, never felt the need to.

[Katzpur]

Originally Posted by bgrasser

I recall my Mothers older Sisters visiting
the graves of family, my mother and my immediate
family didn't, never felt the need to.

Not everything is about "need."