Flowers and other decorations have been removed from all gravesites at St. Anthony?s Cemetery in Nanuet.

The New York Archdiocese says there has been a long-standing rule banning decorations from gravesites because of safety and neatness concerns.

Family members of loved ones buried at the cemetery have expressed their displeasure because the rule has never been enforced in the past. The diocese says all enclosures, railings, bricks, stones, statues, shrubs and artificial flowers are forbidden.