The Eureka Springs Cemetery Commission tabled an agenda item at its monthly meeting that, if approved, would place stricter rules on what is allowed on a purchased plot.

Commission chair LB Wilson led discussion during the Oct. 13 meeting regarding a proposed “social activism” policy that would ban any grave marker “which singularly identifies, promotes, advocates, honors and memorializes a social issue, past or present.”

“They will not be allowed to be erected on a deeded plot for the purposes of internment of a human being,” Wilson said.

The proposed addition to the cemetery’s rules and regulations comes after a recent controversy regarding the erection of a Confederate monument.

“This is obviously about the Confederate monument,” said commissioner Glenna Booth, who was adamantly against the wording of the proposal.

“I think you’re getting into First Amendment,” she said. “I’m not in favor of this.”

Commissioner David Danvers said he was in favor of the idea of Wilson’s proposal but felt there needed to be a better definition of social activism.

“The point is, if any fixed structure is to be placed on a deeded plot for the singular purpose of promoting or honoring a social cause or activity should not be allowed,” Wilson said. “I don’t think the cemetery is a place for social activism.

“If they want to put on their headstone that they’re whatever they are, that’s fine … their name, their date of birth, date of death, that’s fine.”

Booth said having a such a policy could lead to legal issues.

“To me this is too hard to enforce,” she said. “We’re going to get into First Amendment. I appreciate your concern but I don’t want to go to court about this stuff. I’ve been to court on other stuff and I don’t see a reason to put something out there that’s going to be challenged.”

Danvers suggested that more research be done to see how other cemeteries handle similar issues.

“It would have to be further defined and then represented how other cemeteries deal with it in such a wording that would be palatable to go into our rules and regulations that our city attorney wouldn’t just strike down before we even get there,” Danvers said.

No motion was made on the issue and Wilson said it would be tabled and possibly discussed at a future meeting.

Also tabled was a discussion on whether the cemetery would allow “motion-activated noisemakers” on graves.

Wilson said at least one person has inquired about placing a noisemaker on a plot. It was unknown what kind of noisemaker was potentially proposed, he said.

“This is all just weird stuff,” Booth said. “Who would want to do this?”

Danvers responded: “Well, this is Eureka Springs.”

CLEANING SERVICE OK’D

The commission unanimously approved offering a headstone cleaning service for families who own plots at the cemetery.

Headstones become encrusted with things such as algae and need to be cleaned in specific ways in order to prevent damage, commissioners said. An example was given of someone elderly not being able to maintain a headstone.

The cost for the cleaning service will be $60, with $40 going to the individual doing the cleaning and $20 going to the cemetery, Wilson said.

“I just love the idea,” Danvers said.

Even small headstones take work and time, Booth reminded commissioners.

“As somebody who has scrubbed these monuments, even the small ones, if they’re heavily encrusted … it can take you 30, 40 minutes.”