Thursday, May 31, 2007
More space needed in Australia
One cemetery in Australia is running out of room, for graves and ashes.
"Killer" invasive species spotted in UK
They call them "ladybirds" and they threaten native species in England.
Eagle Scout cleans up in Washington
A local cemetery needed work, and this Eagle scout was just the man for the job.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Green spaces can help cool cities
Interesting piece out of LiveScience.com that reports that increasing open space in cities can help cool them by as much as 7 degrees F. How about including cemeteries in the mix?
Noted Baltimore cemetery in shambles.
A report in the Baltimore City Paper on an African-American cemetery in disrepair. This is a heartbreaking story!
Fayetteville, Ark., eyes expansion
A local organization seeks to raise $1.7 million to expand a cemetery.
Expansion in California
One town expects the local cemetery to run out of space in 10 yrs or less, so they are eyeing expansion.
Pesticides nixed in Canadian cemetery
A town council in Ontario rejects the use of pesticides/insecticides to combat grubs at a cemetery. Natural alternatives are being sought.
Colorado county says cemeteries equal open space
One county panel is ready to OK a veterans cemetery, saying it is an acceptable open space use.
Confession in Vermont
Juveniles have apologized for damaging a Jewish cemetery in Vermont and will clean up their mess.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
New Mexico needs more space for veterans
Officials say the military cemetery in Santa Fe is nearing capacity, but NM is low on the totem pole for a new site, they say.
Vandalism in Washington State
Vandals burned flags in Washington State and replaced them with something else. "This is not an act of free speech. This is a crime," Sheriff Bill Cumming said in a statement released Monday afternoon.
First "rural cemetery" in US
I used this article in my college research this spring. It's about Mount Auburn, in Massachusetts, and its role in cemetery history.
Friday, May 25, 2007
Minnesota cemetery keeps up with the times
A good piece about how this cemetery is adapting to the changes in people's choice of cremation; and it includes some interesting stuff about financing perpetual care.
Cincy's Spring Grove honored
The Cincinnati Post reports on the cemetery being named a National Historic Landmark. Here is another link:
WCPO TV
WCPO TV
Interesting reader comments
If you read the NY Times piece, make sure you peruse the reader comments, too. Some interesting ones....And here is the link to an article at First Things, which someone at the NY Times site referenced.
Cemeteries need help from the living, the NY Times has learned
Sorry for the sarcasm; this really is an interesting piece.
Have a safe, happy Memorial Day!
We'll be around sporadically in case there is big news to report, but otherwise, we're going to enjoy the three-day holiday weekend as much as we hope you do.
WPTG!
WPTG!
How much ground can a groundhog grind when a groundhog...
Groundhogs are only one of the problems facing a Michigan cemetery.
Costs going up in New Hampshire
A town in New Hampshire is raising the cost of a cemetery lot, and the funds are expected to be used for maintaining and improving the cemetery.
Budget ax in Wisconsin falls on cemetery study
Belt-tightening in Wisconsin leads to the loss of funds for a study to put in a new veterans cemetery.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Arlington National Cemetery on PBS
"America's Cemetery" will be featured at the national Memorial Day celebration, to air on PBS.
Cem. needs flags for Memorial Day
The previous operators let things go, and now the public is being asked to help in Kansas by providing flags for Memorial Day.
Cemetery preservationist visits NY State
As people get set to restore a cemetery in New York State, a noted preservationist comes to town.
W.Va. town rededicates old abandoned cemetery
Town gives credit to the volunteers who helped make it happen.
College budget cuts affect cemetery
Budget cuts at Ohio University mean that they cannot cut the grass at their historic, university-owned cemeteries.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Local biz community steps in after vandalism
The local business community in one Indiana town comes to the rescue of a cemetery on the eve of Memorial Day.
Wisconsin town considers running cemetery
Cemetery is losing money on its own, so a town might Wisconsin town government might take it over.
Camden County, NJ, cemetery
Great column about people trying to revive a historic African-American cemetery in Camden County, NJ
Ohio woman strives to save forgotten cemetery
This is a cemetery where they did not set up perpetual care funds, so it has fallen to one civic-minded woman to stir things up.
Stealing from the dead is a grave concern
People in California are stepping up efforts to wipe out crime at cemteries.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Working to save a cemetery in Arkansas
People are trying to save a cemetery in distress in distress in Arkansas.
Monday, May 21, 2007
Justice serves
Probation clients in Illinois will be mowing lawns at a cemetery, where former veterans in their 80s say they no longer can do the work
Forever, Hollywood
Actress Gina Gershon gets real at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in LA.
“It’s forever,” she says of the cemetery. “In such a transitory city where the billboards change each week — where the history is wiped off the land and off people’s faces — it’s one of the few places that has a sense of history.”
National cemeteries threatened by lack of funds
Here's a story from EarthTimes.org, which details the plight of cemetery maintenance at the national level.
Not just a place to go where you die
A nice piece about a family that lives at the cemetery that they manage.
Conn. cemetery cleanup washes away a century of neglect
Interesting story about a place in Conn. where they utilized townsfolk resources to spruce up a long-neglected veterans cemetery.
"America's Cemetery"
Those are the words of National Geographic in its June issue. The story is about Arlington National Cemetery. As is typical of NGeo, the Web site features all sorts of interactive features about Arlington, including places to click and learn about some of the famous Americans buried there. And, of particular interest to this blog, we quote from the blurb in the Contents section of the magazine: "More than 300,000 Americans -- from privates to Presidents -- are buried in Arlington National Cemetery. But space is running out."
Sunday, May 20, 2007
Mother Nature and cemeteries
This is an interesting story. A Maine community needs to cut down trees around an old cemetery for safety reasons. Falling limbs and can damage headstones and spreading roots can damage the graves themselves.
Millions stolen from cemetery trusts?
Here's a report on $70M allegedly embezzled from cemeteries in Michigan.
Vandalism nearly destroys plans for memorial
Folks preparing to gather for a remembrance of a 1902 TN mine disaster, which killed 36 people, nearly had their plans destroyed, when organizers found that vandals had attacked. Cleanup was completed just in time.
Cleanup workers needed in New Mexico
This cemetery has no paid caretakers, and must rely on the kindness of strangers. As we know, this is not an isolated case.
Ohio group cleans up
A private group in Ohio takes the initiative to clean up their local cemetery. Can they spark a movement? Stay tuned.
Friday, May 18, 2007
More on PA veterans plans
Here's another story on locating a veterans cemetery in suburban Philadelphia.
Syracuse restoration
For years, it was a park, but before that it was a cemetery. Now, the First Ward Cemetery in Syracuse, NY, is about to undergo a restoration.
"I don't think any of us had heard of a situation like this where a cemetery has been so completely defaced, really. So, the goal is not to bring it back to its original condition. It's more to provide access to the cemetery for individuals through a path system," Shelley Swanson said.
That ol' college try
Some colleges are reaching out to alumni to have their cremated remains placed in campus columbaria, reports the NY Times. Among the schools are: Notre Dame, the University of Richmond and the Citadel
Thursday, May 17, 2007
Labor dispute leads to 'storage problems'
Labor trouble means other kinds of trouble at the famous Notre-Dame-de-Neiges cemetery in Montreal, Canada.
Avoiding flooding damage in OK
Work is being proposed on a cemetery in Oklahoma to protect the lower portions from flooding.
Land dispute in Bucks Co, PA, may force vet cemetery elsewhere
A PA congressman is seeking an OK to put a cemetery in Chester Co. because of a land dispute in another county.
ADL blasts Ill. cemetery damage
The Anti-Defamation League criticizes vandalism at a Jewish cemetery in Illinois.
Teens arrested in vandalism case
These two teens, including a 14-year-old girl, allegedly crossed out Christian references on headstones and replaced them with pentagrams.
Wednesday, May 16, 2007
Colorado a step closer to a national cemetery
The US House Veterans Affairs Committee has OK'd a measure to create another veterans cemetery in Colorado.
Another TN cemetery is in disrepair
A local TV station is trying to spark owners of a cemetery in disrepair to do the right thing.
MA town votes for new cemetery
Cemetery space is running out in Norwell, MA, so authorities voted to put in a new cemetery.
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
South Carolina cemetery
Some folks in South Carolina are trying to take care of a cemetery in disrepair.
Massachusetts expansion
Authorities in Dedham, MA, are proposing to expand their cemetery, but it needs state Dept. of Environmental Protection OK, because it's near a brook. Hope there's no trouble.
Friday, May 11, 2007
A great article: now this is what I'm talkin' about!
Here is a link to buy a great article on cemeteries and planning! I wish I had found this earlier, for my research, but I'm glad I did the work, because I know my thoughts about this subject are correct.
Small cemetery (2 people) still needs care
It doesn't matter how big or small, all cemeteries deserve better than the fate of this cemetery in Oklahoma.
Cemetery in NJ spruced up
Officials were upset at how bad the cemetery looked a couple of years ago on Memorial Day and took steps to get it looking good again.
What happens in Nevada need not stay in Nevada
Here's a story about an old Nevada cemetery, whose caretaker is reminding us about how important cemeteries are for our history.
Thursday, May 10, 2007
Cremation over burial in crowded Canadian cemetery
Canadian cemetery chooses columbarium for cremated remains, citing the 60-40 preference for cremation over burial at the cemetery.
Sarasota, FL, to get new vets cemetery
The U.S. Veterans Affairs makes a deal for a new cemetery for vets in Sarasota, FL.
Sarasota, FL, to get new vets cemetery
The U.S. Veterans Affairs makes a deal for a new cemetery for vets in Sarasota, FL.
Overcrowding in Ireland
A cemetery in Ireland is making graves skinnier, because of overcrowding problems.
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
Omaha cemetery getting crowded
Whaddya know? A once-rural cemetery in Omaha is being crowded by development.
Cheers for Santa Barbara officials
Officials in Santa Barbara, CA have hired an architect to design a way to honor the 3,000 dead at Memorial Park. It's a former cemetery, now a park, and it deserves to be given its proper glory.
Nowhere to go in Apache Junction
Here's a poignant tale of a fellow in Arizona with lung cancer, and all he wants is a final resting place in his town. But there's nothing there, and the closest one, in Mesa, is nearly full.
Ohio voters OK cemetery funding
Voters in an Ohio town OK'd a measure to expand a cemetery whose space is running low (aren't they all?). Seriously, good move by the citizenry!
Urban Bird Count, because cemeteries are great places to watch birds
In my recent research, I discovered that one of the plusses (positive externalities, in geographic terms) of cemeteries is that they are havens for all kinds of wildlife. Birds, with their "birdaptability" are especially benefited, so here is a chance to get on board with a great scientific project, the Great Urban Bird Count, sponsored by the Ornithology Lab of Cornell U. The count goes from May 10-13.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Cemetery owner needs help
"I'm on oxygen and about half-dead myself. I need a grant, a wealthy individual or a crazy person to step in."
So says the owner of a cemetery in the St. Louis area who needs help restoring and maintaining his cemetery.
So says the owner of a cemetery in the St. Louis area who needs help restoring and maintaining his cemetery.
Monday, May 7, 2007
'Round the nation
Ohio cemetery gets a makeover
Thieves steal flowers in North Carolina
Texas sexton talks about his job, touts upcoming cemetery workday
Restoration in Illinois
Thieves steal flowers in North Carolina
Texas sexton talks about his job, touts upcoming cemetery workday
Restoration in Illinois
Cherry Hill, NJ, paupers' cemetery?
The Courier-Post has an interesting story about a supposed paupers' cemetery
that got lost in the tax shuffle and was sold at tax sale for $112. Never mind that it's land-locked and shouldn't be developed. Someone let this site fall through the cracks...until it was time for someone to make $$ off it.
The suspicious nature of this case is only part of the story; the real sad truth is that there are probably thousands like this across the country.
that got lost in the tax shuffle and was sold at tax sale for $112. Never mind that it's land-locked and shouldn't be developed. Someone let this site fall through the cracks...until it was time for someone to make $$ off it.
The suspicious nature of this case is only part of the story; the real sad truth is that there are probably thousands like this across the country.
Saturday, May 5, 2007
Unintended, intended consequences
Oswego, NY, is expanding a cemetery, but here is a consequence of having to expand. We lose woodlands.
Johnstown, Pa., vandals strike
People are justifiably angry over destruction at a cemetery and war memorial.
Whatever your views of the current conflict, people fought and died to serve their country.
Whatever your views of the current conflict, people fought and died to serve their country.
Friday, May 4, 2007
Wise folks in UK
They're acting wisely in the UK
The folks are making plans to expand to an adjacent farm.
The folks are making plans to expand to an adjacent farm.
A council spokesman said: "Bolton is a forward thinking council and has identified the need to secure adequate burial space for future years.
"A planning application has been submitted for an extension to Heaton Cemetery. As part of the planning process consultation is taking place with ward members, nearby residents and members of the local community..."
Thieves turn to Flower Power
Thieves in Crawford County, Arkansas, have taken to stealing flowers from graves, sometimes on the day they're placed.
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Vandals desecrate Jewish cemetery
Operators of a Jewish cemetery in New Haven, CT, say it will cost thousands thousands of dollars to repair the damage caused by vandals.
Officials for the Hebrew Free Burial Association, formed decades ago to provide graves for poor people who could not afford them, could not immediately be identified or contacted.
In addition to their plots in the East Haven cemetery, both Bikkur Cholim Sheveth Achim and The Westville Synagogue are taking care of burial grounds that they inherited from synagogues that no longer exist or Jewish lodges, fraternal groups or burial associations whose membership has dwindled.
Those orphan burial grounds "are like footballs" that bounce around in search of a caretaker ...
Parkland feels squeeze of cemetery expansion
Here is a follow-up to the cemetery squeeze in Waterloo, Ontario. City officials expect to run out of cemetery room in 6 years, but local athletes are upset that their parkland is being eyed for cem. expansion.
No side is flat-out right or wrong. The park is the among the biggest, with all kinds of athletic field, but the cemetery needs room, too.
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Another Canadian story, but one that will move you
Here is the story of a gravedigger who just passed away. Not really what we do here, but a touching tale, nonetheless. Rest in peace, James Dolan.
Vandalism in Canada
Sorry to be the bearer of more bad news, but here we go again as vandals attack an Ontario cemetery
Said Hall Seely, sec/tr for the targeted Madill Church "One really has to wonder why. It’s pretty difficult to get back at the deceased ... "
Said Hall Seely, sec/tr for the targeted Madill Church "One really has to wonder why. It’s pretty difficult to get back at the deceased ... "
News from Ohio, West Virginia, Canada
Defiance, Ohio, has established a cemetery enhancement fund:
http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1944342
Vandals in West Virginia attack a cemetery:
http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=23352
Forward-thinking Canadians are asking for public input on cemeteries:
http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/wat/news/news_778468.html
http://www.crescent-news.com/news/article/1944342
Vandals in West Virginia attack a cemetery:
http://www.statejournal.com/story.cfm?func=viewstory&storyid=23352
Forward-thinking Canadians are asking for public input on cemeteries:
http://www.waterloochronicle.ca/wat/news/news_778468.html
More cemeteries in need of care
From Alabama. Watch the video:
http://www.wkrg.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WKRG%2FMGArticle%2FKRG_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351048747&path=!news!local
From Jacksonville, Texas. The link to the story doesn't work, but the pic is moving:
http://www.jacksonvilleprogress.com/homepage/local_story_122175858.html
http://www.wkrg.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WKRG%2FMGArticle%2FKRG_BasicArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1173351048747&path=!news!local
From Jacksonville, Texas. The link to the story doesn't work, but the pic is moving:
http://www.jacksonvilleprogress.com/homepage/local_story_122175858.html
Tuesday, May 1, 2007
Good news from Utah
Salt Lake Tribune, via Associated Press, reports:
NORTH LOGAN --After a decade of planning, officials here are prepping 50 acres for a new cemetery that will include a trail system and recreational lands.
Land for the site in the northeast quadrant of the city was purchased eight years ago. Crews are currently installing roads, sod and a sprinkler system.
City facilities superintendent Terrel Huppi says the first 1,100 plots on two acres in the cemetery will go on sale next year. Prices range from $250 to $500 depending on residency status, with additional costs at the time of burial.
A master plan for the facility also sets aside space for a memorial, mausoleum, fountains and other features.
Areas for picnicking, hiking and dog walking are also planned.
NORTH LOGAN --After a decade of planning, officials here are prepping 50 acres for a new cemetery that will include a trail system and recreational lands.
Land for the site in the northeast quadrant of the city was purchased eight years ago. Crews are currently installing roads, sod and a sprinkler system.
City facilities superintendent Terrel Huppi says the first 1,100 plots on two acres in the cemetery will go on sale next year. Prices range from $250 to $500 depending on residency status, with additional costs at the time of burial.
A master plan for the facility also sets aside space for a memorial, mausoleum, fountains and other features.
Areas for picnicking, hiking and dog walking are also planned.
Bad guys
From Cushing Daily Citizen, Cushing, Okla.:
Cemetery robbed, reward offered
BRIDGET CLARKManaging Editor
A $5,000 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/persons responsible for the theft at Fairlawn Cemetery at some time during the night Thursday, April 26.
Lionel Harris said the thieves took two John Deere mowers, three heavy-duty weed eaters, trimmers and a blower, which all totaled about $16,000. The latch on the door where the equipment was stored was tampered with and ultimately cut.
Harris said the incident would not stop plans to have the cemetery looking its best for Memorial Day. The cemetery operates strictly on donations and Harris said many local people help to keep the property well kept. If anyone has information about the break-in they are urged to call the Payne County Sheriff’s Department at (405) 372- 4522. Harris said anonymous tips would be honored.
And also, from MaineToday.com:
WATERVILLE — More than 10 grave sites were vandalized at the Pine Grove Cemetery on Grove Street.
Family members of the late Janice Coro discovered today that the grave stones had been toppled over. They were visiting the cemetery and sprucing up Coro's and other family members' grave sites in advance of Mother’s Day.
A police report was filed, according to family members at the cemetery Tuesday.
Cemetery robbed, reward offered
BRIDGET CLARKManaging Editor
A $5,000 reward is offered for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person/persons responsible for the theft at Fairlawn Cemetery at some time during the night Thursday, April 26.
Lionel Harris said the thieves took two John Deere mowers, three heavy-duty weed eaters, trimmers and a blower, which all totaled about $16,000. The latch on the door where the equipment was stored was tampered with and ultimately cut.
Harris said the incident would not stop plans to have the cemetery looking its best for Memorial Day. The cemetery operates strictly on donations and Harris said many local people help to keep the property well kept. If anyone has information about the break-in they are urged to call the Payne County Sheriff’s Department at (405) 372- 4522. Harris said anonymous tips would be honored.
And also, from MaineToday.com:
WATERVILLE — More than 10 grave sites were vandalized at the Pine Grove Cemetery on Grove Street.
Family members of the late Janice Coro discovered today that the grave stones had been toppled over. They were visiting the cemetery and sprucing up Coro's and other family members' grave sites in advance of Mother’s Day.
A police report was filed, according to family members at the cemetery Tuesday.
Do your good deed - clean up a cemetery
From the Daily Leader, Brookhaven, Miss.:
City officials have declared the month of May as Cemetery Clean Up Month in recognition of Memorial Day and hope the community will step forward to assist efforts citywide to beautify the resting places of loved ones. Full story at:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18281401&BRD=1377&PAG=461&dept_id=172922&rfi=6
Reporter-Times, Martinsville, Ind.:
Clean Up Day for Mount Olive Fairview Cemetery, which is in the 3600 block of Wilbur Road, will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Volunteers are needed to help with the work. Full story at:
http://www.reporter-times.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=70171&format=html
Morning News, northwest Arkansas:
SPRINGDALE -- The annual Hickory Creek Cemetery cleanup is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. Full story at:
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/05/01/news/050207szbriefs.txt
City officials have declared the month of May as Cemetery Clean Up Month in recognition of Memorial Day and hope the community will step forward to assist efforts citywide to beautify the resting places of loved ones. Full story at:
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=18281401&BRD=1377&PAG=461&dept_id=172922&rfi=6
Reporter-Times, Martinsville, Ind.:
Clean Up Day for Mount Olive Fairview Cemetery, which is in the 3600 block of Wilbur Road, will be 9 a.m. to noon Saturday. Volunteers are needed to help with the work. Full story at:
http://www.reporter-times.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=70171&format=html
Morning News, northwest Arkansas:
SPRINGDALE -- The annual Hickory Creek Cemetery cleanup is scheduled to begin at 8 a.m. Saturday. Full story at:
http://www.nwaonline.net/articles/2007/05/01/news/050207szbriefs.txt
Cemetery gets OK in NM, but story's not over
Here's a follow-up to the N.M. cemetery that was coming up for a vote:
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/apr/11/bernalillo-county-approves-cemetery/
Bernalillo County OK'd the proposal, 4-1, but some area residents plan to sue to stop development of the 13,000-plot site, which will include a crematory and funeral services office. One question that went unanswered is how the new owner/operator will water the grass in this water-starved portion of the country. While we recognize that our society will need cemeteries for all time -- how many people do you know have done without a final resting place? -- here is another consequence of the modern cemetery movement: extensive landscaping costs, many of which put a large strain on our environment.
http://www.abqtrib.com/news/2007/apr/11/bernalillo-county-approves-cemetery/
Bernalillo County OK'd the proposal, 4-1, but some area residents plan to sue to stop development of the 13,000-plot site, which will include a crematory and funeral services office. One question that went unanswered is how the new owner/operator will water the grass in this water-starved portion of the country. While we recognize that our society will need cemeteries for all time -- how many people do you know have done without a final resting place? -- here is another consequence of the modern cemetery movement: extensive landscaping costs, many of which put a large strain on our environment.
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