Cemetery Upkeep Collections

Once per month from May through September, we will again take a collection to support our four cemeteries: Old Mt. Calvary, New Mt. Calvary, the Annex, and St. Joseph Cemetery. Some have asked why do we need to have these collections when, at the time of purchase of a plot, there is a charge for “perpetual care”? This may help to explain why they are necessary. The percentage of the cost of a plot identified for perpetual care is 60% of the sale price. The intent is to provide ongoing care of the cemetery grounds such as mowing and trimming at all four of our cemeteries. As many more people move to cremation burials/columbarium burials, the perpetual care fund is depleting since there is no charge for perpetual care for cremations and the purchase of cemetery plots have decreased. However, the grounds at all four cemeteries must still be maintained. Each summer, in addition to our two full-time employees, we must hire two extra full-time persons to keep up with the grounds keeping. As the hourly wages increase, so do our expenses. Cemetery income needs to cover all four full-time salaries. We must also consider that many plots were purchased not just in the past year, but also in previous decades at a price consistent with the economy at the time of purchase. Here are some examples: In 1966, a single grave cost $ 50. Perpetual care: $ 30 (New Mount Calvary) In 2020, a double grave was $ 1,500. Perpetual care: $900 (New Mount Calvary) As you can see, the plot in 1966 needs the same level of care that the plot purchased in 2020, but the $ 50 of perpetual care paid in 1966 was long ago spent. If you have any questions about our cemeteries, please give Wayne Lefebvre, our Cemetery Superintendent a call at 862-0512.