With Mother’s Day, Father’s Day and Memorial Day quickly approaching, Assemblywoman Nicole Malliotakis has been reaching out to local cemeteries in an effort to get them to reopen their gates to visitors. If they cannot open completely due to burials, the assemblywoman would like them to at least open for limited hours. Local funeral directors agree that cemeteries should be open this Mother’s Day so loved ones can visit mothers, grandmothers, aunts and others no longer with us. New York State has deemed cemeteries essential and they can be open, however, most on Staten Island have chosen to remain closed to the public.
“People are rightfully going to want to visit those they have lost and I think it would be appropriate, with social distancing guidelines in place, to ensure that cemeteries in our community are open, but especially on these significant weekends,” said Malliotakis. “COVID-19 has taken a mental and emotional toll on so many and visiting a loved one to pray, meditate and express feelings is important and their right.”