Bill and Warren Krech - Summer 2003But this blog is more about the on-going work of the good people of this area who maintain the cemetery with such devotion.
We just received a newsletter chronicling the Annual Meeting of the Mt. Auburn Cemetery Committee. Anyone who has family buried here or owns plots here is a member of this committee. This small group of people makes me realize what a great country we live in. They are quietly working to maintain the graves of past family members and keep the cemetery ready for the next burials.
It's quite amazing all the details that are necessary for the running of a cemetery. Here are some of the topics covered in the Annual Meeting:
(1) The mowing of the cemetery grass. Price is up to $85 per mowing.
(2) Insurance: Costs $127 per year
(3) Maintenance: Weeds and fallen branches and watering and tree trimming and removing artificial flowers. Things that need to be addressed each year. There is a work party scheduled for Sept 20. We are thinking of driving up there to be part of this day.
(4) Records: There is no one official record that covers every inch of the cemetery. WPA Records vs Cemetery Records vs Funeral Home Records vs Courthouse Records. Who knew it was so complicated? These wonderful people are going to try to assemble one defining map. The problem of many unmarked and unregistered graves was discussed. A real problem--trying to get this all on one map.
(5) Unmarked Graves: How do you find them all? What if you sell a plot and they start digging and... Many possible solutions were discussed. I think this is a common problem. I have discovered many of my family's early Michigan relatives are not buried in any "official" cemetery. Where are they?
(6) Annual Newsletter: Warren and I have read and reread the newsletter. We are so impressed with the work being done by this group of people. They understand how important this work is for the past and the present and the future. We appreciate their work!
(7) Sale of Lots: It was apparent that no lots should be sold without referring to the Lot Book and Official Map. The possibility of unmarked graves is a real problem. Approval by members present of certain lots that were safe to put up for sale.
(8) Veterans' Graves: The marking of veteran's graves for Memorial Day and the possibility of a Memorial Day Service were discussed. Flag Holders were voted unanimously at $8 a piece. Good for you!
Mt. Auburn Secretary's Books - Special Notes:
One whole page, front and back, of the Newsletter contained notes from the Secretary's Books of 1909 to 2005. Lots of interesting things were crammed into this two pages. Interesting reading, if you ask me. Here are some of the details:
(a) Planting trees, trimming trees, spraying weeds
(b) Badger problems; mole and grub problems
(c) 1967: the Burial Book was started
(d) 1989: new chain link fence installed
(e) 1999: Cemetery benches installed; bushes added later
Most years no burials occurred. But this group of people faithfully take care of the land and the grass and the trees and the gravestones. This goes on in thousands of small country cemeteries across our county.
Makes me want to be part of it even though we live 450 miles away. I think that's why I want to be there on September 20th this year. To be part of such a noble mission.
Like I said at the beginning: Thanks to you all for what you do! We appreciate your work!
