SCI gets OK to buy Vegas mortuary

A settlement has been reached to allow Service Corp. International, the nation's largest funeral business, move forward to buy a Las Vegas mortuary. The deal requires some FTC approval.
Here's SCI's news release on the matter.
And here are a couple more reports:
Las Vegas Review Journal
Las Vegas Sun (includes a map of sites involved)

Philadelphia cemetery plans Jewish section

West Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia will establish a Jewish section.

New Hampshire inmates research cemetery

Also from New Hampshire, a story about inmates at a jail who are researching a nearby paupers' cemetery.
Note: Someday, when my time is my own again -- and not my discrete math class' -- I'll begin work on a piece about how better to employ ex-cons, and even those now serving time, in cemeteries.

Cemetery mapper in New Hampshire

Here's a nice feature story about a New Hampshire man who "maps" cemeteries using GPS and other tools.

Author of On Hallowed Ground

Here is a brief talk by author Robert Poole on his new book, On Hallowed Ground, about Arlington National Cemetery, from the Amazon Web site.

Vets struggle to find cemeteries close to home

USA Today reports that despite the openings of some new veterans cemeteries, many vets still don't have a cemetery close by. This article includes a link to an interactive map showing all the vet cemeteries across the country.

New York town receives $5,000 grant

Waverly, New York, received a $5,000 grant to help preserve a local cemetery. The funds will go toward repairing a cannon from the Civil War era.

Nevada city obtains cemetery from county

A cemetery is contained within a new property obtained by Fernley, Nevada, after a deal with the county.

Another article on new Arlington book

USA Today has a feature about Robert Poole's new book on Arlington National Cemetery.

VA gives $10 million for cemetery in Kansas

Propertly next to a veterans hospital in Leavenworth will be developed as officials OK expansion of the Leavenworth National Cemetery. According to a report, the project will:

providing approximately 14,000 additional gravesites at the 123-year-old
cemetery. The new phase will include pre-placed double-depth crypt gravesites,
traditional gravesites, a columbarium and in-ground cremation sites as well as a
committal shelter, water distribution systems, roads, utilities, signs and
landscaping.

Hundreds of unmarked graves found in Idaho

Workers using radar surveyed a cemetery in Hailey, Idaho, and found hundreds of unmarked graves in an area known as the "Chinese Cemetery." Authorities say that a brush fire in the 1930s destroyed a number of the markers. Officials now plan to erect a monument to the uknown dead. About 300 Chinese people lived and worked in the town in the late 1800s, including working in mines and keeping shops.

Cemetery reform in Illinois

Despite the tragedy at Burr Oak in Illinois, lawmakers in that state brought no reform laws to the floor for a vote, though a House panel did pass measures.

Review of new book on Arlington National Cemetery

Here in the Washington Post, Fergus Bordewich reviews a new book about Arlington. Bordewich is the author of a book on the planning and building of Washington, D.C., and, Mr. Bordewich, if you are reading this blog, I promise -- I am reading your book and I do hope to finish it someday!

Florida cemetery to get $300,000

In response to residents angered by the condition of a cemetery, Lake Wales will spend $300,000 for improvements, including replacing the dilapidated office and upgrading roads and the irrigation system.

Hawaiian cemetery loses rezoning bid

The state Land Use Commission denied a request to rezone 56-plus acres in a hot dispute between a cemetery owner and its neighbors. Hawaiian Memorial spent two years trying to get through a plan for expansion, only to be thwarted by the state agency.

5K run to support cemetery in Arkansas

A non-profit group that supports the Fayetteville National Cemetery will hold a 5K run to raise funds to buy land to expand the cemetery. Here is the link to the group's site.