Silk flowers stolen from graves becoming ‘widespread problem’ in Anderson County, florist says

CLINTON, Tenn. (WATE) — Thieves have been stealing silk flowers from gravestones at cemeteries in Anderson County . A flower shop owner shared silk arrangements that had been stolen from all four cemeteries in the county, leaving families heartbroken.

Marilyn Moore ensures there are always new silk flowers adorning her father’s gravesite in Clinton. Her dad, Scott Melton, a business owner, passed away 11 years ago. Moore visits the site replacing the silk arrangement at least every other month. However, she is disheartened that the flowers have been stolen.

“Oh, it is devastating. This is sacred ground to me. It’s my dad. He doesn’t deserve this. This is where we are supposed to come in peace,” said Moore. “This is the fourth time.”

It’s not the monetary value of the flowers that bothers Moore, but the sentimental value.

“It is stealing from my dad. It is heartbreaking that someone would actually do that,” said Moore.

Moore said the thieves simply twist the unattached arrangement out of the vase and they can make a tidy profit.

“They resell them at flea markets, online, yard sales,” said Moore.

Florist Lisa Mott said families buy colorful and sturdy silk flowers like these and place them on the graves of loved ones because the arrangements can last for months. She sells hundreds of them every year, but unfortunately many are stolen.

“Well, people get very disgusted that they pay for flowers for their loved ones and they go back to visit the grave and they’re gone. So, it has become a widespread problem,” said Mott. “They think they are honoring their loved ones by keeping their graves decorated and to have someone come along and remove that, it’s is very devastating for them.”

Mott added that she has heard reports of the flowers being stolen from all four cemeteries in Anderson County.

“When they come to a cemetery and remove flowers off of somebody’s grave — that’s a crime,” said Moore.

Moore said she is always amazed at the brazen porch pirates who steal packages from people’s homes. With those crimes caught on camera, it is fairly easy to identify the thieves and eventually file charges.

The owner of Grandview Garden told WATE that since the cemetery is so big nearly a dozen security cameras would have to be set up for authorities to properly identify would-be thieves. In addition, putting up a gate to keep thieves out is not an option either because a cemetery is supposed to be a peaceful and open environment. Nevertheless, Moore believes cameras are the ultimate deterrent.

“If there were just a few to remind people you could be seen on TV, don’t do it. It would give us peace of mind. It is a shame I’m even asking this to be done,” said Moore.

While our report is focused on Anderson County, some cemetery operators in other East Tennessee counties told us silk flowers and artificial arrangements have also been stolen from their properties. One cemetery manager said “There is little that can be done to stop the thefts,” short of mounting surveillance cameras and putting up fences or gates. He said people who steal the arrangements know it is wrong, but how do you stop them?

For urban cemeteries, increased police presence was one suggestion. Another suggestion is for more rural cemeteries to be aware of suspicious activity and report it immediately to authorities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WATE 6 On Your Side.