Where do we go when we die? This blog examines what communities, planners and others are doing (and not doing) for cemeteries.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
Green burials OK in Virginia county
Despite opposition from farmers and others, a county board of supervisors approved green burial after research showed no harmful impacts.
Zoners deny variance request for church cemetery
The zoning board in a Pennsylvania town denied the request for a variance at a church.
Sunday, March 21, 2010
Residents voice objections to cell tower proposed for cemetery
Here's more on the controversy in Scotch Plains, NJ, including comments from residents impacted by the proposal.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Texas man learns cemetery makes for a good neighbor
A cemetery in Texas met with some resistance by the neighbor, but now, he and others enjoy it for its nature trails and other amenities.
W.Va. to make room for highway by ...
relocating a cemetery. West Virginia Highway Department officials are going to move the cemetery to make room for the next phase of the Coalfields Expressway.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
Ontario officials consider GIS for cemetery mapping
Officials in one Ontario community say that because cemetery maps are outdated and unreliable, they may turn to Geographic Information Science as a way to find out what's there.
Monday, March 15, 2010
Maple trees tapped for syrup in cemetery
Tapping cemetery's maple trees draws flak, even with permission from the cemetery.
Spring renews concerns about Illinois cemetery
Supporters of a cemetery in Illinois wonder who will take care of the grounds?
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Under water: This time in Texas
Here is another story of a cemetery under water from flooding/weather. This one is in Texas. This link doesn't include the whole story, so if you are in the neighborhood, please buy the newspaper. They'll appreciate it.
Friday, March 12, 2010
Difficulties arise in transferring Wisconsin cemetery to town authorities
Officials from the Plainville Cemetery Association want to resign and turn over operations of the cemetery to the local town, but that might not be so easy. The association has not had elections in years, and duly elected officials are required for any negotiations with the town, be it for a purchase or through condemnation/eminent domain.
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
Va. cemetery flooded, filled with debris
Trash is only part of what's flooded a cemetery in Virginia, parts of which are under standing water.
Monday, March 8, 2010
W.Va. cemetery has a community garden
A cemetery in Huntington has plots for use in a community garden.
Friday, March 5, 2010
Atlanta panel to mull plan to move African-American cemetery
A council committee will examine the matter. The applicant wants to move the graves, but the city's Urban Design Commission is against the plan.
New Jersey towns consider erecting cell tower in cemetery
The zoning board in Scotch Plains, N.J., will continue a hearing in April to hear an application by T-Mobile to erect a cell-phone tower in historic Hillside Cemetery. The tower would be used by both T-Mobile and Verizon customers.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Report: Uptick in cremations means downturn in monument, casket businesses
Here's an article in the Toledo Blade that details the struggles in the monument business and the casket business, as cremations rise.
SCI's 4th quarter earnings teleconference
SCI, one of the largest cemetery operators in the world, has its 4Q earnings teleconference transcript out.
Columnist writes about O'Hare/cemetery clash
Here's a good column that spells out some of the sensitive issues involving the planned takeover of St. Johannes Cemetery outside of Chicago for the planned expansion of O'Hare International Airport.