SUNLAND PARK, New Mexico (KTSM) – Families with loved ones who are buried at Memorial Pines Cemetery were shocked to find that decorations and gifts were removed without notice.
Suracy Gonzalez has kept her daughter’s memory alive by decorating her gravesite with toys, solar panels, and lately, Christmas decor since she passed away in 2018.
Gonzalez said when she visited her daughter’s gravesite recently, all the decorations were gone.
“She had a rock that was made specially for her during her chemo treatment. And everything was thrown in the trash. All of a sudden, after six years that she has been buried there. And I just want answers. Why?” Gonzalez said.
Suracy Gonzalez’s daughter’s grave before and after decorations were thrown out. Photo courtesy to Suracy Gonzalez.
The cemetery recently changed ownership to a group based out of Houston. Signs in Spanish are posted on site, stating that only flowers in designated vases are allowed and that families will not be notified of any removals.
Anastasia and Isabella Varkonyi have been caring for their sister’s grave at Memorial Pines since she passed away in 2020.
While many family members didn’t get to collect decorations in time, the Varkonyi’s said they were able to rescue their items including a homemade cross.
“I don’t understand why, why around the holidays especially. I think that’s already a hard time enough for someone who’s lost a loved one. So, this is the last thing that we want you to think about. So, it’s very upsetting,” Isabella Varkonyi said.
KTSM reached out to Memorial Pines Cemetery, but we have not heard back.
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