Outrage has sparked among families in East Tampa as personal tributes at Rest Haven Memorial Park have been forcibly removed from gravesites this week, items that included grave coverings were found scattered around the cemetery's dumpster, as reported by FOX 13 News. Visitors like Shalenea Gainous were left emotional upon discovering possessions like her father's grave cover unceremoniously piled near trash, with Gainous stating, "These are still graves, they better not disturb the old and kids."
Leroy Washington Jr., who discovered his son Leon's grave emptied out, expressed his discontent at the lack of notification from Faithful Heritage Holdings, the cemetery's new owners since May, not to mention that last year the company faced two public reprimands for inconsistent cemetery upkeep in South Carolina, per 10 Tampa Bay News, and reports emerged about rising concerns from the company taking over a cemetery in North Carolina in 2022 detailing poor maintenance and escalating issues.
In a similar vein, individuals like Mark Christopher Williams, who's son DeMarcus had a photo cover on his grave, said that the removal without warning was akin to treating these tributes like trash, articulating the emotional connection the gravesite covers held for many. Vanessa Carswell and Cleo Billups, upon visiting their loved ones' graves and finding removed covers, were struck with grief as well, with Billups stating, "It's heartbreaking" according to an interview by 10 Tampa Bay News.
While cemetery manager Greta Harrison claimed the action was to ensure safety and maintain the dignity of the cemetery, asserting, "We understand that in recent years, some items may have remained in place without enforcement," as told to Tampa Bay 28; Monica Woods, however, whose son's grave was affected, emphasized the lack of direct communication and her willingness to adhere to rules if given the chance for personal retrieval of items, expressing her distress by saying, "Thrown in dirt like trash thrown away."
