Article 5 Volume 2
Many families have burial sites on church grounds. Recent events have prompted me to raise a question about the maintenance, record keeping and existence of grave sites families think exist. Many churches have large turnovers of personnel and consequently the record keeping for grave sites is ignored. As a result, grave sites get lost in the shuffle. Therefore, nobody can find any records to verify the existence of a vacant plot or can verify who is buried where.
I urged families to verify that their church accountability for grave sites, if any, is accurate. In some cases, I believe, families will be surprised. Let's face it, at most churches this is a volunteer job, and many of the grave keepers are deceased or old. Their duties started many years ago when they didn't really keep a written record. They relied on memory. So, when some of them passed on - so did the whereabouts of certain grave sites. In some cases, I was told, two or three family members were buried in one grave and nobody could be sure who they were.
Then, I believe, there are sites that two or three families think they own. But when the time comes, for either of the three families to use the site, they may find that it was sold or given to fourth family.
In these times where land utilization is critical, some grave sites may have been paved over for parking lots, sold or just ignored.
You may be aware of the big mess they had at Ft Myer with grave sites. If it happens there - a multimillion dollar graveyard - why couldn't it happen at your church?
If families can afford it, I encourage them to consider a private or military (if eligible) grave site. They are generally maintained better and records are kept. Churches are okay, but the future in some cases, are unpredictable. Churches are relocating and expanding.
In conclusion, I encourage families to check on their family owned grave sites and verify the records with the responsible person at the church.
Then you can have peace of mine.
(to be edited)
Many families have burial sites on church grounds. Recent events have prompted me to raise a question about the maintenance, record keeping and existence of grave sites families think exist. Many churches have large turnovers of personnel and consequently the record keeping for grave sites is ignored. As a result, grave sites get lost in the shuffle. Therefore, nobody can find any records to verify the existence of a vacant plot or can verify who is buried where.
I urged families to verify that their church accountability for grave sites, if any, is accurate. In some cases, I believe, families will be surprised. Let's face it, at most churches this is a volunteer job, and many of the grave keepers are deceased or old. Their duties started many years ago when they didn't really keep a written record. They relied on memory. So, when some of them passed on - so did the whereabouts of certain grave sites. In some cases, I was told, two or three family members were buried in one grave and nobody could be sure who they were.
Then, I believe, there are sites that two or three families think they own. But when the time comes, for either of the three families to use the site, they may find that it was sold or given to fourth family.
In these times where land utilization is critical, some grave sites may have been paved over for parking lots, sold or just ignored.
You may be aware of the big mess they had at Ft Myer with grave sites. If it happens there - a multimillion dollar graveyard - why couldn't it happen at your church?
If families can afford it, I encourage them to consider a private or military (if eligible) grave site. They are generally maintained better and records are kept. Churches are okay, but the future in some cases, are unpredictable. Churches are relocating and expanding.
In conclusion, I encourage families to check on their family owned grave sites and verify the records with the responsible person at the church.
Then you can have peace of mine.
(to be edited)
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