Dalhousie Riverview Cemetery
9 McNeish Road
Point La Nim N.B.
E3N 6B8
Fall 2019 Volume 2 Number 1
Welcome back to our newsletter.
We are restarting this newsletter to help our members and anyone interested in the field of cemeteries to continue the interest in looking after them, improving their operations and getting more people seeing the value of cemeteries.
Business:
The 2019 Fall General Meeting will be held Friday September 27 at 1 PM at Lutz Mountain Meeting House 3143 Mountain Rd. Moncton. Contact president Valery Traer at rtraer@rogers.com for further details.
The scattering of ashes:
The ashes from a cremation are stored into some form of container; wooden, ceramic etc. that then can be kept at a residence or a funeral home. Then it can be put into a cemetery plot or a columbarium or other regulated places. Some people want to take these ashes and scatter them.
Scattering of ashes is a very gray area and I haven’t seen anyone challenging how and where it can or can’t be done. There isn’t any law against doing this and the Cemetery Company Act doesn’t mention it. The Cemeteries in New Brunswick which are presently under the Department of Health doesn’t recognize this issue. Ashes have been and are scattered in nonpopulated places like bodies of water, fields, wooded areas etc. but putting them within a populated area can cause problems. This is an issue that should be dealt we have some form of clarity and control over it and the public will know how to deal with this issue.
Abandoned cemeteries:
There are many abandoned cemeteries in New Brunswick that aren’t being looking after because it is very difficult if not impossible to find out who the original owners were. Time erases information and the longer it becomes the harder it is to find how a cemetery started whether a family cemetery, church graveyard, one governed by a local town or city. If you do find some monuments then see what information you can get off them also check records from churches, civic books, archives and internet searches and ask local residents what they know. Some people don’t want to see a cemetery disappear and want to repair it. Maybe an ad in the local paper or face book
site etc could get some response. You might have a relative of the originator owners appear and solve some of the mystery.
I just found new information off the internet that states that if one finds an ancient burial ground you have to report it to the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture and give them the specifics of this site and they will examine it. No one is allowed to excavate, alter or disturb the ground without their permission but you don’t need a permit to do maintenance work on it such as lawn cutting and marker conservation.
Abandoned Cemetery in
Upper Loc Lomond area
Funerals:
Some people don’t know how to do all the arranging of a funeral. It usually is a joint effort between the people wanting the funeral, the funeral home and the cemetery. A person can get the funeral home to do everything for them from getting a plot at a cemetery, looking after the opening/closing, caring for the deceased until the burial, hosting the family at the funeral home by arranging the service, food ,videos, pamphlets, a minister, transporting the deceased to the cemetery and whatever else the family wants. Some people will arrange some of these things themselves like using a church for the service and buying a plot and arranging the opening/closing themselves. An urn burial can be simpler in that a burial isn’t required and a funeral home isn’t necessary. Once the documentation of the death is complete the family gets the urn and looks after it the way they want. What the people want for a funeral varies from their needs, financial abilities, assistance and knowledge of the service. It is a good idea to do research in advance so when the occasion occurs one will be prepared and not in a rush. A prepaid funeral can be an invaluable method to look after this. You get all the details about what has to be done and after a couple of years it also is paid for so a hugh relief when the time comes, no surprises.
Private vs Public Cemeteries:
Here are some definitions of the differences; Private cemeteries aren’t controlled by or owned by churches or municipalities. Anyone can get a plot there and they usually are looked after very well but can be more expensive. The lifetime for the private cemetery can be indefinite but nothing is for sure. Another benefit is cremations are usually allowed here and this form of burial is becoming more popular.
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of informative and relative information.
Go to www.associationofnbcemeteries.com
Executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President, 506-6842506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-6724309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 5066725044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
Cedar Hill- Greenwood Cemeteries
1650 Manawagonish Road Saint John NB E2M 3Y3
Phone 506 672-4309 Email info@cedarhillcemetery.ca
Spring 2020 Volume 2 Number 2
Business:
The 2020 Spring General Meeting will be held Friday April 17 at 1 PM at Lutz Mountain Meeting House 3143 Mountain Rd. Moncton. The guest speaker will be Dominique Boulais of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Contact president Valerie Traer at rtraer@rogers.com for further details.
Who controls Church Cemeteries
Church cemeteries operate differently from other cemeteries.
They need a management team and their congregation is obliged to do this. All cemeteries are regulated by provincial legislation and this now includes memorial gardens which may involve spaces dedicated to the burying or spreading of ashes. Also this legislation specifies what happens if cemeteries, including those on church property are abandoned or are to be sold.
Cemeteries have to have a governance which oversee its proper functioning. There are three models for this: 1) having Church trustees where they also are the trustees of the cemetery, 2) having Cemetery trustees who are accountable to the church board and 3) having a separate cemetery board.
In a situation where there is an amalgamation of congregational property then the new congregational structure has control of the cemetery with the assistance of the previous trustees.
When a church closes there should be a separate governing body in place to look after it. Arrangements can be made to have a municipality or perhaps another church to look after it. If a cemetery is part of the church property that is being sold it might be necessary to sever it from the church. Another alternative is to have an access road left available on the property to allow entry of visitors and cemetery maintenance workers.
In some jurisdiction abandoned cemeteries may become the responsibility of the local municipality. Sometimes, if there is a connection to the church, they may be convinced to look after it with incentives to do so. Liability insurance should always be in place even during a change of ownership.
The above Information is condensed from this site https://www.united-church.ca/sites/default/files/cemetery-guidelines.pdf
FUNDING FOR CEMETERY MAINTENANCE
The following is information regarding sources of possible government funding for cemetery maintenance:
Provincial government:
The NB Regional Development Corporation has funding programs within their Community Investment Fund. The Community Growth Initiatives section now includes cemeteries as one of the eligible applicants under the “Community appeal/aesthetics category. The Community Investment Fund Guidelines are available on the NB Government website at: RDC-SDR@gnb.ca.
Federal government:
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission places headstones for veterans and provides funding for their maintenance. Further information is available at the following links:
English link: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/eng/finanancial-support/death-and-bereavement/grave-marker-maintenance
French link: http://www.veterans.gc.ca/fra/financial-support/death-and-bereavement/grave-marker-maintenance
Historical Value of Cemeteries – A Personal Perspective
I was just tickled and honored to be asked to submit an article expressing the historical value of cemeteries for the Associations newsletter. I have no claim to fame except for my love of local history which includes the subject of churches and cemeteries.
Collectively I believe cemeteries provide a link to communities past and present. They reflect the history of the person, the family, the community and the world. All this rolls up into the cemetery.
When visiting a cemetery my immigration kicks into high gear where I hear a chatter amongst the residents. Hi, I see you’re from the Isle of Arran. Yes, we came here in the year 1832 seeking a better life where we farmed and fished and raised our families. Next to me are my parents and across the way is a cousin. Moving along I see mention of a teacher and the lady informs me what it was like to teach in a one room school house. Great chats are had with former soldiers and spouses be they local ladies or War Brides. They lightly chat about their experiences at Vimy Ridge, D-Day and other conflicts.
There was a sadness in the stories of lives cut short. Some cut short by the Typhus Epidemic raging the land in the years 1918 to 1922. So many events, so much history and limited space to express.
Each cemetery I believe has a valuable and unique history.
Respectfully submitted by Robert Hickey. Dalhousie February 15, 2020.
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of informative and relative information.
Go to www.associationofnbcemeteries.com
executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President, 506-6842506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-6724309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 5066725044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
Fall 2020 Volume 2 Number 3
Stilesville United Church Cemetery Ltd.
1270 Gorge Road
Stilesville, NB
Business
Our General Meetings are postponed until 2021 due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions. The election of our Board of Directors was due this year. In the meantime, the current Board will remain in place.
Funerals and Burials During the Pandemic
The New Brunswick Chief Medical Officer of Health has provided general guidelines for gatherings at Funerals/Celebrations of Life and Burials. This includes specific information for Interprovincial Travellers. The latest information is available at www.gnb.ca/coronavirus.
Cemeteries - Perpetual Care
The term “perpetual care” generally refers to the funds used for the general maintenance of cemetery grounds which includes the repair, and care for the roads on cemetery property, care of lots and sewers, mowing of lawns and beautification. The money that comes in for perpetual care is invested in such a way that it will continue to provide the needed repairs for eternity. It works much like any kind of large savings account.
About eight provinces in Canada require cemeteries to have perpetual care but New Brunswick doesn’t have this. The N.B. Cemetery Company Act has no explicit rules governing how to use perpetual care. Individual Cemeteries can make this mandatory through their by-laws so they control it.
The governments that have laws for perpetual care can enforce it and there can be consequences if this isn’t done. If no one takes the responsibility to do this then the cemetery can disappear and be lost forever which happens to many cemeteries.
A walk through an older, unmaintained cemetery will show you why such funds are necessary. Years of neglect can turn a cemetery into a mess, with graffiti on monuments, damage to the property and excessive foot traffic. Perpetual care ensures that not only will there be money to pay for the regular upkeep of the cemetery grounds, but that there will be someone in charge of this task.
This type of service can be expensive so when space runs out or the cemetery is abandoned, the funds will stop coming in to look after it and the start of it’s deteriorating could start.
The money that comes in for perpetual care is invested in such a way that it will continue to provide the needed repair funds for perpetuity. By putting the savings in a stock, bond, security, or other investment with a safe, guaranteed return, only the interest that accrues is taken out and not the principal. The fund itself remains intact so that it will continue to provide interest for decades to come.
The money for perpetual care can come from a percentage of the proceeds of the sales of the lots or other means of acquiring money and this is put periodically into the protected funds. Having an investment firm or trust company look after the funds can safeguard it against misuse and theft.
Working with community groups to draw positive attention to your Cemetery
This is the second year we will host a Candle Light Service to honour veterans this November at our Cedar Hill Extension Cemetery in Saint John. The Legion District sells the candles as a fundraiser and completely run the ceremony. It was well received last year and this year with Covid-19 this event will work out nicely since can allow for Physical Distancing.
November is also Domestic Violence Awareness Month, we worked with the group. They featured the murder of Maggie Vail and her infant daughter. (Please do Google the story). We helped them to organize the purchase and installation of the monument.
In both instances, as well as a couple of others, we received some media attention for the Cemetery and showed it as a value beyond the obvious.
Have You thought of everything regarding burial choices?
Have you pre-planned your funeral?
Did you make arrangements for your burial?
Have you reviewed your Family burial lot?
Is there defined space for each person?
Who has the say so for the lot?
Is your contact information current?
Save Family Stress
What arrangements can you make now?
Regarding costs plus choices
Benefits of Pre-Paying Opening/Closing Costs?
Lock in the current price.
Does the Funeral Home have to be involved?
With a Traditional Burial - Yes.
Cremation burials may be arranged by Family.
Purchasing Lot
Choices - Traditional vs Cremation?
Columbarium vs Cremation Space?
Ask - How many burials per lot?
Is Financing available?
Monuments
Do you have your monument?
What size monument will your lot accommodate?
Can I pre-pay my final date?
Contact your local cemetery with your questions.
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of relevant information.
Go to www.associationofnbcemeteries.com
Executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President 506-684-2506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-672-4309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 506-672-5044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
Spring 2021 Volume 2 Number 4
Elmwood Cemetery Ltd
200 Elmwood Drive
PO Box485
Moncton NB
Business
We hope to have our General Meeting in the fall if the safety of the public is secure from the Coronavirus. The current Board will remain in place until then. Please watch for further updates
SUGGESTION FOR CEMETERY COMPANIES TO STAY IN TOUCH WITH SUPPORTERS DURING PANDEMIC
Here is how our local cemetery board (Dalhousie Riverview Cemetery Co. Ltd.) kept in touch with supporters.
Our by-laws state that we must hold an ANNUAL PUBLIC MEETNG each year. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, we were unable to hold a public meeting in 2020. However, our Board of Directors met twice while respecting public health protocols. In fact, our first meeting was held outdoors at the cemetery on a warm May day. At a later meeting, when it was clear we could not hold our fall annual public meeting, we prepared an Update Letter. The letter consisted of financial information from the treasurer’s report, a burial report and information about projects completed this year and plans for next year. These are all things that would have been discussed at a public meeting of our lot holders and other interested parties if we were able to have it. Also included was a copy of the fall Association Newsletter “Etched in Stone” This was included as an update on Association business was always on the agenda at the public meetings.
The letters were hand delivered to people who would likely have attended a public meeting and other supporters in the community. Masks were worn and physical distancing respected during the delivery. Of course, sending the letters by mail is another option. This allowed us to keep our supporters informed and interested in our cemetery company.
Colombariums
A columbarium is an above ground free standing structure or building that is made for the interment of cremated remains that are put into an urn. It is normally made of granite and each opening has a storage called a niche to hold 2 to 4 urns depending on the dimensions. The colombariums can vary in shape from a single wall, to a four sided cube shape and can be circular or be in an indoor room. They have a separate secure door for each person to put the urn/s in. Personal colombariums can be bench shaped or even use a monument which means you can actually move your urn to a different place is so desired.
Some people do not want to be buried under ground so a colombarium is a way of getting away from this practice. This form of burial has the benefit of being less expensive, as a full burial using a flat stone can cost $400 or more and for a monument up to $4000. The opening/closing fees are also less expensive. A colombarium urn burial is easier to perform for it is above ground, so you pick the date you want, for the time of year has little affect on the burial. This type of burial is becoming more popular, accounting for about half of all interments.
Jewish Funerals
Religions have their own specific types of funerals with some similarities and differences from other religions.The Jewish funerals have some rituals which are different from others. There are three types of denominations within the Judaism that relate to their traditional beliefs varying from the modern views to strict observance of Jewish law. The funeral can take place at a synagogue, funeral home or cemetery and if at all possible, they prefer to have the funeral within 24 hours of the death for they believe it shows respect to bury the body quickly. They want the body to be washed and dressed as soon the person dies and the body is protected at all times by the guard until the funeral. One tradition at funerals at attendance is to tear a piece of their clothing such as a pocket or lapel that symbolize their loss. Burials aren’t allowed on the sabbath or Jewish holidays. They usually don’t have visitations due to the time urgency for the burial.
They have readings throughout the service and then eulogies are read by the rabbi and some partakers of the funeral. If you can’t go to the burial, you can walk part way there with the casket that is carried by hand to the site. A great honor is to be a pallbearer. At the service the mourners who are the parents, children, spouse or siblings wait until the attendees are seated and then they go to the front rows.
A simple wooden pine casket with no metal is what they prefer. Embalming is not allowed and the casket has to be closed. After the service the body is taken to the grave for a quick burial. The pall bearers who can’t be the mourners take the casket to the grave and in some processions stop seven times along the way. It is lowered into the grave and covered with dirt by the attendees using the back side of a shovel. By tradition, it can’t be handed from person to person so it is stuck in the dirt for each person to take and finish the burial.
They have two periods of mourning one which is a week long one where the family give up their normal daily routines and the other is a month long one where they recite the Mourners Prayer. The best ways to help the grieving family during this stressful period would be to bring food and helping with chores around the house. This is a kind and sincere way to help the family in their time of mourning.
A Jewish person does not have to be buried in a Jewish cemetery but it is highly recommended that they do this. There is a Jewish Cemetery in Moncton called the Congregation Tiferes Israel Cemetery in Chartersville Dieppe on Sellick Street that is recognized as an Historic site and is only one of a few in New Brunswick.
History of the Old Bleakney Cemetery
The Old Bleakney Cemetery is one of the earliest burial locations in Salisbury Parish. It is located on Route 106, within the village limits of Petitcodiac, NB. Now abandoned, the cemetery was set aside as a burial site as early as 1836 near the junction of paths and portages that connected the area to the Canaan River settlements and thus linked the Petitcodiac River to the Saint John River system. The settlement that developed was known early on as Humphrey’s Corner. Between 1835 and the coming of the Intercolonial Railway in 1872, three of the five stagecoach lines operating on the Westmorland Great Road, that ran between Saint John and Amherst, made regular stops at Humphrey’s Corner for accommodation and fresh horses. This settlement slowly ceased to be when the railway established a way-station a bit further upstream and the generations moved on to build homes and do their commerce near the new railway station in what eventually became known as the Village of Petitcodiac.
The 200th Anniversary of the arrival of David Bleakney and family to the Petitcodiac area in 1784 was commemorated in 1984, by his descendants, with a stone memorial that sits near the entrance to the Old Bleakney Cemetery. David Bleakney and his family were Loyalists from South Carolina. The original land grant to this initial Bleakney settler was issued in the very early 1800s. The cemetery is on a part of this original land grant.
Over the years descendants or neighbours tended the graveyard but as time went on it invariably fell into disrepair and with neglect the cemetery all but disappeared under trees and bushes. Mercifully, the folks who were laid to rest in this small cemetery years ago could not have imagined that with the passing of time their burial sites would become derelict and disregarded just like the community they once sought to create. Thankfully, today the upkeep of this small historic cemetery is provided by members of the Petitcodiac Baptist Church who do a cleanup around the remaining stones every spring. Although the documented burials appear to number less than twenty and no tombstone remains for any Bleakney family member, the historical significance of the Old Bleakney Cemetery to the Petitcodiac area is still significant.
Leslie Gogan
Compiled from local records and resources.
The Association of NB Cemeteries General Liability Insurance
Members of the Association of NB Cemeteries Inc., qualify for our group Liability Insurance through the Co-operators General Insurance Company. Member cemeteries need to apply directly to Co-operators Insurance Company to be approve for coverage under the Associations Policy. Once approved, Co-operators Insurance will notify the Association of the coverage.
The Association’s insurance policy comes due May 1st of each calendar year. Invoices are mailed in February to member Cemeteries, covering their annual membership dues and liability insurance. The premium is divided equally between the policy holders, adding an admistration fee that covers the Associations director’s insurance and cost of administrating the policy.
A brief explanation of insurance coverages under the Association’s Commercial General Liability policy is listed below:
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Bodily Injury and property Damage, provides coverage in the event that you are found to be legally liable of causing bodily injury or property damage to a third party resulting, from an accident on your premises.
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Personal and Advertising Injury Liability, provides coverage in the event that you found to be legally liable of causing personal or advertising injury, such as affecting a person’s reputation.
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Medical expenses, provides voluntary payment of reasonable medical expense to third parties injured regardless of fault, as a result of an accident on premises. A $10,000 limit automatically included.
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In addition to General Liability coverage, Errors and Omissions coverage is part of your premium, often referred to as Professional Liability. Errors and Omissions protects your organization against claims from others who allege financial loss as a result of your negligence in the performance, advice or services they received from your organization.
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Building and equipment loss is also available in addition to the General Liability insurance.
If you have any questions regarding your invoice, contact Stephen Jarvis @ 506-672-5044. For questions or coverage, for general liability, building and equipment insurance, contact Kathy Douthwright of Co-operators Insurance @ 506-853-1360.
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of relevant information.
Go to www.associationofnbcemeteries.com
Executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President 506-684-2506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-672-4309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 506-672-5044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
Fall 2021 Volume 2 Number 5
Titus Hill Cemetery 5 Meadow Road Titusville, NB
President - Stephen Jarvis 506-672-5044
Vice President - Richard Titus 506-333-5063
Treasurer - Donald Robertson 506-832-2840
Secretary - Roberta Collomb 506-832-9012
Business
General Meeting: Our Spring General Meeting will tentatively be held in 2022 being delayed due to the ongoing Coronavirus Pandemic restrictions. The election of our Board of Directors was due this year. In the meantime, the current Board will remain in place.
Kirk Hill Cemetery, Sussex, NB
Kirk Hill Cemetery is nestled in the centre of Sussex and bounded by residential housing, an elementary school and a vacant farm. The only cemetery in Sussex is used extensively by walkers and dogs who treat it with respect.
White marble stones dot the landscape mixed with granite stones. The beautiful marble headstones, enhanced by cleaning, give this hillside cemetery overlooking Sussex a glow, which is particularly noticeable at dusk. There are approximately 1200 headstones dating back to 1863. There are abundant trees including large balsam poplars which are culled and trimmed to maintain a well-groomed cemetery that offers a feeling of peace and tranquility.
Kirk Hill has been diligently repairing and cleaning stones. This process has been funded, for the most part, by tracing ancestors who have willingly stepped forward to ensure our loved ones have a dignified resting place. Sponsors, other than ancestors, have also generously contributed. A grant from the Community Investment Fund (CIF) has aided us in continuing this beautification project. Jimmy and Donna Vande Brand (members of NB Cemeteries), with great skill and care, are continuing to straighten and clean head and foot stones as funds allow.
Cemeteries are usually constrained by lack of funds which are required for ongoing restoration and maintenance. Our mission is to make this sustainable for future generations. We cannot begin to express our appreciation for the generosity of our sponsors. Kirk Hill is easily accessed by Somerset Street off of Main Street for those who wish to visit.
Restored stones at Kirk Hill Cemetery
CEMETERY TOURS: EVERY STONE TELLS A STORY – EVERY STONE IS A MYSTERY
This is an article written by our local Dalhousie historian, Bill Clarke.
This is a photo of him in period costume used to conduct the tours.
That’s a little slogan I made up to use when conducting cemetery tours, something that has become more popular in recent years.
To understand them, it helps to know a bit about interpretation. Although there are other ways of doing things, such tours are usually either first or third person. First person means that those conducting the tours use the pronouns “I” and “we.” They play the roles of people buried in the graveyard, and there are lots of fascinating lives to be interpreted.
In third person, the leaders are talking about other people. “Here lies a wonderful old seaman” is the type of thing they might say.
Of course, first person can easily drift into third. The role-player may tell his (or her) story and then start discussing the person in a nearby grave.
This sort of tour is based on research, and this is where people from local genealogical or history societies come in handy. If there’s a community museum in the area, a lot of the research may already have been done. In any of these cases, it’s a great time to reach out and form community partnerships.
These tours are almost always presented at night; the darkness adds to the sense of mystery. Those conducting them are usually in costume. Costumes don’t have to be all that elaborate. A visit to the local thrift shop may provide everything that’s needed. I wear a woman’s knee-length coat, a man’s shirt with collar turned up, a white scarf tied to imitate Victorian neck cloths and a vest. Sometimes I wear one of the neck pieces that lawyers use – they call them tabs. I look like a Victorian clergyman who’s come back to the place where he conducted so many commitment ceremonies.
I lead another type of tour that I call “cemetery strolls.” These are done in daylight and deal, not with the people but with the stones. It is basically an introduction to gravestone interpretation and includes tips on reading stones that may be eroded, with emphasis on methods that will do no damage to already deteriorating monuments.
There’s another type of tour that has gained popularity in the last few years. This involves the geology behind the stones and usually takes in stone buildings in the area as well. These are conducted in both Saint John and Fredericton.
In the same way, history walking tours will frequently deal with both historic buildings and local cemeteries.
A local cemetery company or society can benefit from such tours. If the whole thing becomes part of the local tourism package, the cemetery will come to be seen as an asset to the community. That makes it easier to approach municipal governments or service clubs for financial support.
The tour, itself, can be a fund-raising activity. The last one I conducted brought in over $300 for the cemetery company.
By raising awareness, such activities can help attract volunteers to take part in maintenance or restoration projects.
Finally, if the cemetery is seen as an active part of the community, vandalism tends to be reduced.
In Mexico, on the Day of the Dead, families pack picnic lunches and head to the graveyards to share them with their dear departed. I don’t see that sort of thing happening in New Brunswick, but there’s no reason why our cemeteries cannot be more active places. Cemetery tours are probably the best way to start.
What are the Controls for a Cemetery?
A Cemetery has to have written controls to make sure the cemetery is being looked after, is safe, has a board etc.
One way is to use a “Constitution” that clarifies the purpose of your organization, lets members have an idea what the organization is about and how it functions, and describes the basic framework of it. It can include the organizations mission, its name, purpose, membership, structure, meetings and quorum.
Another way is to have “By-laws”. They describe in detail the procedures the organization must follow. The information can’t contradict the constitution and contains membership, dues, duties of officers, executive Board, Committees, Order of Business, Parliamentary Authority, and Amendment procedures.
“Rules and Regulations” There are very similar to By-Laws and some cemeteries use them instead but The Trustees may from time to time, as required, modify, replace or repeal the rules and regulations in whole or in part and enact new rules and regulations, in such manner as they in their sole discretion determine will best serve the interests of the cemeteries.
One thing cemeteries have to understand is the N.B. “Cemeteries Companies Act” Chapter C-1 In this Act the Government explains exactly what one has to do to start a cemetery and effectively and legally maintain it. This includes “Administrative Responsibilities of Cemetery Companies: “Administrative Responsibilities of Cemetery Directors”, Physical Graveyard Maintenance”, “Real Estate and Financial Structure of Cemetery Companies,” Prohibitions and Penalties”, “Crematoria and Columbaria”, “Powers of the Lieutenant-Governor in Council”, “Perpetual Care”, and “Renumeration for Services”
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of relevant information.
Go to www.associationofnbcemeteries.com
Executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President 506-684-2506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-672-4309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 506-672-5044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
Spring 2022 Volume 2 Number 6
Moores Mills Rural Cemetery Corp
PO Box 108
Moores Mills N.B.
Business
The 2022 Annual General Meeting will be held Friday May 6 2022 from 1 – 3 PM at the Lutz Mountain Meeting House, 3143 Mountain Rd, Moncton. The guest presenter will be Mike Read from Cobb’s Funeral Home in Riverview. He will be speaking about the “Effect of the Pandemic on Funeral Homes and Burials.” Masks are recommended. It will be nice to see people after two long years of not being able to meet.
Muslim Burials
The Islamic faith has their own specific rules of conduct that they use after the death of someone. Most of their community gets involved in the funeral and it is preferred that it takes place within a day if possible. One of the first things they do after a person dies is to cleanse the body by washing it at least three times and then the body is shrouded by wrapping the body in three sheets of white cotton and then tie the body in three places with rope. Other practices don’t use sheets but put a ball of earth under the head, chin and shoulder and then men lower it into the ground.
The funerals are very quiet and short in time usually less than an hour with the only one talking being the Iman (priest). It is a very solum affair with crying allowed but no weeping or wailing is tolerated. Women usually sit at the back of room. Then after this the prayers are said and then the body is taken to the grave site by four family men. The casket is placed so the head is faced toward Mecca. Mourners throw three handfuls of dirt unto the casket. Then it finishes off with a collective prayer.
People at the funeral are expected to be dressed appropriately with only the women’s face and hands showing, wearing simple clothes, and using no makeup or jewellery that shows the moderate life they live. Men wear plain pants and shirts with no skin showing.
Grave markers, if any, are simple, being only twelve inches high so it won’t be walked or sat on. It can be marked with a simple wreath.
This religion adheres to the rules of “Haram” that forbids actions such as: dancing, toys that resemble anything living, going to a non-Muslim funeral, cremation, a woman talking louder than a man and more. A widow’s mourning period lasts four months and 10 days and she can’t leave the house and the mans mourning period is only three days. Flowers can be sent to the family but a donation to their charity is preferred. Nowadays Muslims use funeral homes and cemeteries in western countries
History of Melvin and Fowness Cemetery
These are two little cemeteries located at the start of the Fundy trail near St. Martin’s
That were almost forgotten until a few years ago. Below is the history of these families from the plague.
The Fownes and Melvin Families
The Fownes and Melvin families settled along these shores of the Bay of Fundy prior to the Quaco – St Martins settlement in 1783.
Both families were shipbuilders and also owned large farms here. The Fownes family-built ships between 1820 and 1861. Fourteen of these vessels were between 105 and 896 tons. The Melvin’s shipbuilding era spanned the years 1830 and 1864. The Melvin family constructed 18 vessels with tonnage between 50 and 824 tons.
Both of these families could boost not only ship building but also captains of vessels. They sailed the world from the Bay of Fundy to Europe, Africa, India, Australia, and the Pacific coast of the United States. They married, raised their families, died and more than 45 of them are buried in these two restored cemeteries.
History of the Restoration of the Sea Captains Burial Grounds
Prior to the year 2000, these sites had been overgrown weeds, brush, moss and alders. Most of the gravestones had been destroyed over the years by weather and man.
The Fundy Trail Development Authority Inc. took the decision to restore and preserve these historic sites. In doing so, it was necessary to identify the graves in a dignified way and remove unsightly growth, fence and identify the burial grounds and make them available to those who wish to visit.
We gratefully acknowledge the assistance of the Quaco Museum and the Province of New Brunswick Environmental fund, which made this restoration possible.
We are proud to have been able to honour these early pioneers by restoring their final resting place. Many men from both families have died at sea and buried in lands far from here. These restored cemeteries honour all of the pioneer men, women and children of the Fownes and Melvin families who faces the hardships and challenges of the new land in order to build a new life.
The Effect of the Pandemic on Funeral Homes
An article in the Times Transcript newspaper on January 28, 2022 gives the point of view of two funeral homes in New Brunswick. Here are a few of the high-lights. With each restriction and lockdown funerals have been altered to adapt to them. “Families wait for restrictions to be lifted before planning services and many family members have not been able to see their loved ones if they died in hospital or a nursing home.” During the pandemic it was noticed that mourners want to spend more time with their deceased loved ones at the funeral home, before cremation or burial and during this time they had to come in separate household bubbles.
Many homes are asking guests to RSVP for the service before attending to reserve seating. The streamed funerals are a useful adaption during the pandemic, and should continue to be available when all restrictions have lifted for people who are unable to attend the service because of scheduling or travel conflicts.
More people have been opting for celebration of life memorials in homes or graveside services because they are outside and there are fewer restrictions on outdoor gatherings. But restrictions have led to more phone calls and emails than in-person meetings.
When all restrictions have lifted, there most likely will not be an influx of people looking to plan services for loved ones lost earlier in the pandemic. They don’t want to wait that time-frame.
Genealogy and Cemeteries
There is a common link between researching genealogy and what you can find in cemeteries.
Genealogy has the purpose of tracing family trees to aid in finding a link between your family and your ancestors. There are many ways to do this. You can use the provincial archives within your province and fortunately a lot of this data has been put on the internet so is much easier to obtain then going through microfilm. Libraries have much information within their shelves. There are many other programs online that lead you to the ancestors that you are interested in and you have to join some of these sites for a fee but well worth it for. Also a lot of people can tell you the varied research they have found.
One of the other ways to research your ancestors is by using cemeteries. The interest in cemeteries covers: their varied history, how did they got started, the many kinds of cemeteries, different uses of them, their beauty and stories. There are thousands of cemeteries in our province and they have hundred of thousands of monuments in them that have much concise data on them. It is a treasurer trove of information about the past, containing information about these families. Each cemetery monument can have the names of the deceased, birth and death dates, their relatives, maybe some personal information about the person and sometimes pictures and symbols. Some genealogists use cemeteries as one of their main ways to trace their tree and help other people in this task.
This overlap between the two interests can help both solve mysteries and keep them both alive and promote their invaluable benefits to society
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of relevant information.
Go to www.associationofnbcemeteries.com
Executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President 506-684-2506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-672-4309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 506-672-5044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
Fall 2022
Volume 2 Number 7
Horsman Cemetery Inc
14 Rockley Lane
Moncton N. B.
E1G 0C5
Business
The Association of NB Cemeteries will have a Fall Meeting October 21, 2022 from 1 to 3 at Lutes Mountain Meeting House in Moncton.
WHO LOOKS AFTER MOST CEMETEREIES IN NEW BRUNSWICK? VOLUNTEERS - THAT’S WHO
When driving almost anywhere in New Brunswick you will find cemeteries. It is estimated that there are thousands of cemeteries, large and small in the province.
Many of the cemeteries in the urban areas of the province are maintained by paid staff and are well kept. However, the large majority of cemeteries are looked after by volunteers and volunteer boards of directors or committees. For example, the Dalhousie Riverview Cemetery Co. Ltd. which operates two cemeteries in the north of the province has paid seasonal groundskeepers but the volunteer board of directors is responsible for raising the money to pay them. A lot of work is involved with fund raising and soliciting donations. Volunteer boards are often innovative with ideas for fund raising such as cemetery tours hosted by local historians, annual memorial services at the cemeteries complete with music and barbeques, and even golf tournaments.
In some communities, volunteer fire departments and local service clubs provide help with spring cleanups and other work such as leveling graves and straightening headstones. There is a lot of work involved with maintaining cemeteries, just ask any volunteer.
Several cemeteries in New Brunswick are members of The Association of NB Cemeteries Inc. which was created in 1996. Member cemetery companies enjoy the benefits of co-operative insurance rates, mentoring and information sharing annual meetings and having a common voice to deal with cemetery related government issues. For more information about the Association please visit our website at associationofnbcemeteries.com.
The Association wishes to give a ‘shout out’ to all the many volunteers who give their time and efforts to keeping cemeteries in NB looking the best they can.
In recent years there is an increasing number of people researching their ancestry and often visitors to NB come to find the graves of their loved ones. It is important to keep our cemeteries well-kept and inviting to families and visitors. Cemeteries are the history of our communities and are everyone’s business.
Hindu Burials
Hinduism is the third largest religion in the world with about a billion members. It originated in India but has no founder or common doctrine so getting information on it can be difficult and their customs have various denominations in how their religion takes place.
They believe in reincarnation where the body goes into new life forms and continues until they reach a state of liberation where the soul is absorbed into the universal life force. After death, cremation has to be done as quickly as possible so the soul can go to this next stage. When they die, if possible, they remain at home and the family comes here and funeral home is contacted. The body is cleaned and dressed in white clothing and then the service takes place in a dignified manner with the viewing of body as an optional in an open coffin. It is customary to light a lamp at the body’s head as a symbol of guiding the soul. It is not permitted to touch the body.
. A Hindu priest manages the funeral and a wake is held just before the cremation and then the body is removed feet first to the crematorium and cremation takes place between sunrise and sunset with family members helping to facilitate this service. Sometimes the cremation uses a pyre that is lit by a family member They try to have the funeral service within 24 hours of the death. Babies, children and saints can be buried because it is believed they are pure.
The ashes are stored in unique ways: this includes a container that dissolves in water or use a bamboo Eco Scattering Urn or lastly, they use an Ice Urn. All of these procedures put the ashes into water not like other religions throw the ashes into a river or a field. Hindus prefer to put the urn in the Ganges River that has a strong religious meaning for them. After this ceremony, there is a period of mourning that lasts 13 days with visitors allowed to participate with a picture of the person displayed and flowers adorn it. The ritual of purification is followed where they change into clean clothes and clean their house. A Shraddha ceremony can be conducted after this to make sure the persons soul will go to the next world. Gifts that are given are metal vessels and money.
Separating a cemetery from a church
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Any cemetery that is associated with a church, should attempt to have separate bank accounts to ensure the future viability of the cemetery should the church divest itself of the property or the church is demolished/burns down and then the property is attempted to be sold without the cemetery.
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In our experience, churches do NOT want to be in the cemetery business. They are divesting cemeteries all over the countryside for closure of churches, in some cases selling property to produce revenue for court cases, so be prepared that your church-based cemetery will evolve in the coming years.
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Secure a lawyer who is up to speed in property matters and negotiate timelines moving through the task.
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You will need to form a company, which the lawyer can assist you with, including bylaws and officers.
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There is little government assistance, other than grants from the Regional Development Corporation, which are ONLY available for non-church properties and can be used for upgrading the cemetery. In some cases, these cemeteries can apply more than once on an annual basis for these grants. Speak to your local New Brunswick MLA's office regarding these grants.
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It is a challenge to obtain and retain Board members for a cemetery. Begin a campaign to solicit younger members for your Board to ensure continuity into the future.
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Be prepared for negotiations with the Church body, to obtain funds garnered from any sale of adjacent church property. You need to be firm in the stance that the Board of Directors taking over responsibility for the Cemetery in perpetuity and the church absolves themselves of responsibility so the "lions share" of any property disposal should remain with the Cemetery Board to continue perpetual care for the cemetery. Be prepared for a fight.
We have spent almost 4 years working through two different lawyers to obtain property transfer, which we still await final sign off. Best of luck in any of your transition plans; it will take awhile.
Doug Hamer, Treasurer
Wesleyan Union Cemetery Ltd.
27 MacDonald Rd., Salisbury
New Brunswick, CANADA E4J 2J5
Tel: (506) 872-3922
Reflections
I have visited many military cemeteries in France and Belgium, all beautifully manicured and laid out – magnificently designed with headstones laid out precisely in row upon row. The war dead laid out, side by side regardless of rank, nationality and gender. The people of Europe have a high regard of the sacrifice made by the allies to liberate their countries in WW 1 and WW 2 may they never forget. The sacrifices made there will never be forgotten and always remembered by the people of these countries, who keep the graves in perfect condition and adorned with flowers, especially in Holland where school children take on a project to remember the Canadians who liberated their country.
Mike Donovan
Billboard Monuments
By Ron Romano
A curious form of grave marker was produced in the US New England states in the mid-1800s. Usually consisting of large, oblong marble slabs held above ground on granite posts, these monuments resemble those large roadside signboards familiar to most and led me to the name “billboard monuments.”
I noticed them near my home in southern Maine while canvassing the area’s early cemeteries for a book I was writing about our first resident gravestone maker. A second book about Portland’s original burying ground further delayed my search for more billboards, but—with the help of prowling members of the Maine Old Cemetery Association—I'd documented three dozen in the state by 2019. I then presented my research at the Association for Gravestone Studies annual conference, held that same year in North Carolina. The response was enthusiastic. Attended by gravestone enthusiasts from around the US (and Canada!), most said they’d never seen anything like them in their local cemeteries. Still, I returned home with leads for two in Vermont. I also decided that I had enough material for a book.
“Billboard Monuments of Maine” was published in the spring of 2020; soon after, more sightings were reported in the region. Four more were found in Maine, followed by reports of billboards in New Hampshire and Massachusetts. I’ve criss-crossed northern New England to find more and now have documented 76 monuments in the region: 42 in Maine, 27 in Vermont, 4 in New Hampshire, and 3 in Massachusetts. This led to a second volume on billboards, “Curious Gravestones in Northern New England,” which was released earlier this year.
Not all billboards take exactly the same form of marble slabs elevated on granite posts; a few slabs are slate, soapstone, and limestone, while some posts are marble or metal. Billboard monuments were produced only in the mid-1800s; the earliest known was dated 1834 by its maker. But the majority were from the 1840s through the 1860s; by the turn of the twentieth century this design, even though rarely ever used, had fallen out of favor, along with marble (replaced then with granite) and hand-lettering (replaced by machines). While this type of monument was often used to memorialize multiple members of a family who had died within a short period, a couple of them name only one person.
We know that the stonecutters of the 1800s followed the work, and gravestones carved by some of Maine’s nineteenth-century stonecutters are definitely found in cemeteries of the Atlantic Provinces. It leads to the question about billboard monuments. Might one of the New England monument makers travelled to New Brunswick around 1850-1860 and left a billboard monument behind? That four New England states have 76 of these rare monuments leaves open that possibility (…and border crossings were far easier 175 years ago than today).
So, as you roam the historic cemeteries of New Brunswick, be on the lookout for these unusual gravestones. If you know of one, or have questions about them, please contact me at roroman@maine.rr.com
Ron Romano is author of four cemetery- and gravestone-themed books. He is an officer on the board of the Association for Gravestone Studies, the leading organization in America for cemetery and gravestone studies. He’s designed and leads tours at a dozen historic cemeteries in southern Maine.
A Lighter Moment
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of relevant information.
Go to www.associationofnbcemeteries.com
Executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President 506-684-2506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-672-4309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 506-672-5044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
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Spring 2023 Volume 2 Number 8
Wheaton Cemetery
20 Goddard Road
Wheaton Settlement, NB
Nadine Crossman
Business
The 2023 Annual General Meeting will be held Friday, May 5, at 1 PM at the Lutz Mountain Meeting House, 3143 Mountain Road, Moncton. The guest speaker is Monette Gould, a certified Funeral Service Celebrant. She will speak on this new trend for funeral/graveside services.
Seeing a Cemetery Online
Did you ever want to see what a cemetery looks like using your computer? The program to use for this is Google Map that is free to use and I love what it can do. If you don’t know where this cemetery is, then there are various ways to track it down. The first way to find it is to use this “Google Maps” program. Get the program Google going and on the top right you’ll see a square with 9 dots in it, click on this and then click on maps. Near the top left there is a box that says “search google maps” and put in the cemetery name or it’s GPS if you know it and hit enter. If it can find it then the fun begins, you hold the left mouse button and go back and forth and up and down until you get it near the middle of screen, then hit the “layers” icon on bottom left and this will show the actual area. Again, hold the left mouse and go across and up and down. To get a real close up look at the cemetery, push the mouse scroll button up to zoom in and scroll down to go back up. Scroll down until you get as close as you can to see it. With trees in this area, you can’t get a bird’s eye view until you click on a paved road not a dirt road. When you do this, on the bottom middle a box will say “street view” and click this and you will be on the road.
Hold the left button and go left or right or go forward or backwards to go up or down. Scroll the center button it will enlarge the image or shrink it. With this you can go up and down the road and look left and right to find your cemetery. The street view doesn’t work on dirt roads. When you want to zoom out, hit the x on top right and then you can go exploring again.
George Hannan
I am writing about an article I read in “Primetime” magazine the Winter 2023 volume.
George Hannan is a New Brunswick filmmaker who has a new (NFB) film called “Undertaker for Life” that won the La Vague Leonard-forest Award. He tried for 5 years to get it produced until Christine Aube of the ONF asked to look at it and she sent it to the NFB who liked it.
He visited many funeral homes around the province to ask their views on this profession and came to realize that undertaker’s work is more than just dealing with the grieving, but helping people in a very trying time. There is much more to these professionals than what you see in a funeral home, for at times it can be difficult to look after their clients. Funeral Directors don’t have professionals to comfort them in trying times. They are sensitive people who also have a sense of humor. In order to do their job, their philosophy on life focuses more on the living for those left behind and helping deal with their grief. This eight-minute video is available from the National Film Board.
Almost Hidden Cemetery
The Milner burial ground is nestled within Moncton on Vine Street near Brentwood Drive but you can drive right passed it and not even know it is there. It is close to the causeway and back in the 1800’s it was a farm. The Milner’s used part of it as a family plot until the development of the current subdivision. The developer did not create the green space as was promised and the burial ground fell into disrepair through neglect. The original monuments disappeared, and although there were reports that the monuments were simply buried beneath the surface, they were never recovered. The site was recently restored and in December 2005, a single large stone monument was dedicated, listing the names of those interred within. The cemetery is inactive. GPS N46.07560 W64.81143
This information comes from “Introduction to Moncton Parish and Map, Cemeteries: Milner burial Ground“ Heritage Room Moncton Library.
Historical Saint John Burial Permits
This is a little history about when one had to get permission to actually bury someone.
Saint John in the 1800’s took on the responsibility of controlling city by-laws that dealt with fire, disease, education and law and order. They had a serious cholera epidemic in 1854 and because of this they formed a Board of Health until 1966 when the province took this over. In 1889 the province instituted burial permits so to control contagious diseases. This permit covered all who died in the city and even some who just passed through the city from elsewhere. But if a body was shipped to another part of the province the permit wasn’t necessary. Before 1888 there were no birth and death records kept except for some church records. Even these records were sketchy until 1920 and then accuracy improved.
These records showed that many parents came from Ireland and gave their place of birth. Also, these permits identified the cause of death, diphtheria cases waning but TB was on the increase. The permits usually showed a lot of pertinent information that genealogists love to find, which includes date of birth and death of deceased, spouses and father’s name and birth place, undertaker’s name and cause of death. This data provided some insight on the social life and economy of the era and could provide some information people may be looking for.
Monument Man
This article has been condensed from Rural Delivery Magazine; January-February 2023 entitled Graveyard Shift written by freelance writer George Fullerton. It highlights JImmy Vandebrand who operates the company Monument Man. Mr. Vandebrand was observed one day by a member of a church cemetery committee, straightening a monument and was very intrigued by the efficiency and care he took into straightening this monument and took an interest in his business.
Mr. Vandebrand has the equipment and tools to lift the stones and put them back in place using a crane that can lift up to 1 ½ tons and can get to most stones easily. For stones that are hard to reach or too heavy he has another machine with four cranked jacks that can lift up to six tons. He invented another machine to spray crushed aggregate stone under the stone to level it or he can make a base for under the stone and place it under the foundation.
He also can fix broken stones using his method of making sleeves to fit tightly on the vertical edges of the stone and it blends in with the stone and stays in place very well. Jimmy Vandebrand’s wife Donna, does an excellent job on cleaning stones in a safe way that doesn’t damage the stones and gets rid of residue and moss.
The Association of New Brunswick Cemeteries, formed in 1996 to promote the effective operation of cemeteries so they can provide dignified burial and cremation services. The group keeps abreast of regulations applicable to the sector and provides guidance on issues such as official record keeping, management practices and upkeep. According to Donna Gray who serves as vice-president, many of the associations members have had maintenance done by Jimmy Vandebrand and they have been impressed not only with the results but with his respectful approach to his work. He provides a very necessary service says Gray and is very aware of the spiritual and the cultural significance of cemeteries.
Fall 2023 Volume 2 Number 9
New Mills Protestant Cemetery
Route 134 New Mills NB
Joyce Nichol President 684 3404
Joan Peterson Treasurer 684 3908
Arthur Taylor Caretaker 237 5714
Business
The Association of NB Cemeteries will have a Fall Meeting from 1 to 3 at Lutes Mountain Meeting House in Moncton. The guest speaker is Kevin Nauss of Price Landscaping Services in Moncton. He will speak about the best type of grass to grow in cemeteries and related topics.
Buddhists Funerals
Buddhists believe, like most religions, in birth, life and death but with an extra addition of rebirth or reincarnation in which you could come back after death as an animal or a human. They believe nothing is permanent and we should try to reach a state of enligthenment or karma. The more moral and sincere we are in life, the better our after life will be. The funeral is an important part of this progression.
A Buddhist monk leads the funeral and gives a sermon that takes place in a funeral home or Buddhist temple. They can have a cremation or a full burial but cremation is the preferred method which can take place right after the service or can wait up to a month. Dress at the funeral is plain with white and black the most appropriate color and the displaying of wealth is not appropriate. The dead are honored for three, five or seven days.
If the burial is a cremation it can be performed by burning the body in a pyre. Then the ashes are put into an urn to be buried, taken home or spread into a favorite place. If you don’t have wood for a cremation, then a sky burial is performed and the body is left to be eaten by vultures which is seen as an act of generosity. If a burial is what they want, then it takes place on a hillside or in nature which places the body in the forest or a cave. They believe that the performance of the ritual and the purity of the family members increases a better passage into the next life.
The family can receive donations but not food and one can show sympathy by talking about their good deeds but don’t mention about meeting them in the after life. They observe a mourning period that can range from 49 to 100 days with prayer or chants being given with a celebration to end it.
Fortress Louisbourg
The settlement of Louisbourg in Cape Breton was settled in 1713 as a fishing port. It later became a fortress with walls built around it for defenses against England. France lost the battle of 1758, and the fortifications were destroyed and by 1785 it was abandoned. The buildings were left to deteriorate and through many years fell apart until it became an empty field. Parks Canada decided to rebuild it in 1961 using unemployed coal miners and it is an impressive restoration but only a quarter of the original site was finished. Last month Mr. West a board member of the Cemetery Association visited this historical site and I noticed activity outside the fort and went to investigate.
There were a group of students digging in a small, enclosed area and I found out they are archeologist students from UNB who partnered with Parks Canada to do the research. Previous research had found that these were old burial sites that had been forgotten and the students were given the task to dig it up and carefully catalogue all the bones and any other artifacts that were uncovered. This was done because the Government was worried about erosion unearthing the remains and ending up in the ocean. This year they had one month to get as much uncovered as they could. It is probably a fraction of all the bodies that had been buried in this area. Fortunately, some people still see the importance of keeping history. Here is some very old history that fortunately is coming to light, and this can only help in solving some more mysteries from the past.
Here is a link to a write up about the site:
Vimy Memorial
Vimy Memorial
One of the most famous memorials in the world that honors World War One soldiers is in France. The French Government granted the land to Canada in recognition of 11,285 Canadian soldiers who died in battle and whose bodies weren’t found. This is in recognition of the famous battle of Vimy Ridge from April 9 to 13 1917. It was built from 1925 to 1936 and designed by a famous Canadian sculptor Walter Allward. It cost $1.5 million and is composed of a Hugh base and twin towers made from 6,000 tons of limestone brought from Yugoslavia. The towers are 27 meters above the base. The base rests on a bed of 15,000 tons of concrete and reinforced with steel that goes down 13 meters. It is adorned by 20 sculptured figures that were carved where they stand from the hugh blocks. All the names of the soldiers are etched on the outside of the monuments enclosing walls. Within a 16 Kilometer radius of vimy there are 30 war cemeteries remembering over 7,000 soldiers.
Cemetery Complications
One would think that running a cemetery shouldn’t be that complicated but something different happened to make one think nothing is spared from hardship. In the news lately, there is a large cemetery in Quebec that hasn’t had staff looking after the grounds for over 6 months all due to a strike by the caretakers. They wanted better compensation and more staffing and went on strike to obtain this. That left the lawns very overgrown, branches all over the place and a large back log of bodies to be buried. It still hasn’t been settled and many people are very upset with the whole issue and can’t yet get peace of mind to bury their deceased people.
The office staff have been without a contract since September 2022 and maintenance workers since January of this year. Back in 2021 they had a strike because of a hugh financial loss and 2 dozen jobs were lost. Over 300 hundred bodies have been stored since the strike and no burials have been done since this. It was open only for Mothers Day and that was a bad experience. There are many branches all over the grounds and over grown lawns, making a dangerous situation and some bones have actually been dug up by ground hogs. Many people are upset over this and find the waiting is very hard. The union wanted the cemetery open but management kept the gates closed. It always seems to be the other side is the problem and very hard to get a reasonable resolution. The government even said burials aren’t that important. Don’t think of cemeteries as just another business.
How to communicate with your lot owners if the rules and regulations are not upheld.
Each cemetery has its own set of rules and regulations; for example, flowers and shrubs can or cannot be planted, flowers at the grave can only be saddles placed on top of monuments, no solar lights, trinkets, and memorabilia can be placed on the ground. Dogs must be always picked up after and on a leash.
Even though rules and regulations are handed out when a lot is purchased families don’t always feel they apply to them. Emotions are involved and when families come to visit, they may feel what they are leaving behind is acceptable.
So, what is the best way to communicate the rules after the fact? One way might be to post the general rules at the entrances, another less expensive but more time-consuming way is to contact the family members who are leaving the articles and request they remove them. If you cannot contact the family maybe you could leave a note in a plastic sleeve at the grave.
If articles need to be removed, perhaps they could be held for a bit of time in case the family contacts the cemetery
Personal contact concerning why the rules are in place is often understood and respected when explained. Remember a cemetery is there for a resting place for a loved one so be as caring as you can when communicating with families.
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of relevant information.
Executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President 506-684-2506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-672-4309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 506-672-5044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
Spring 2024 Pioneer Cemetery Volume 2 Number 10
Route 114
Penobsquis Parish of Cardwell
Chairman - Jimmy VandeBrand
Secretary - Christine Murray
Treasurer - Donna Vanderlaan
Business
The 2024 Annual General Meeting will be held Friday, May 10, 1 PM at the Lutz Mountain Meeting House, 3143 Mountain Road, Moncton. The guest speakers will be Darrell Kuhn and David Whittaker of Governance Support Services. The topic is Board governance. They have developed a program designed to educate board members of their duties, responsibilities, and liabilities.
Green Burials
A very interesting article can be found in the 2023 Review in DvL Publishing Magazine called “Resting Places”. The Green Burial Nova Scotia organization (GBSC) writes about the newly popular form of burials that uses the deposing of bodies in an ecological way. To the organization, death isn’t a technical problem for putting the body to rest for it’ll go back to nature in one way or another. They want to do this in the cleanest way possible and have five principles they encompass: First, there is to be no embalming that uses three functions: sanitization, preservation and enabling presentation that hardens the tissues, all of which aren’t ecologically friendly. Next they use a direct earth burial where a shroud or basic coffin is used that ensures the minimum of metal, plastic and other compounds are used. Third is the ecological conservation and restoration principal, where the use of land such as from an old cutover is used and then keep it protected for ever. Nova Scotia has three hybrid green cemeteries, so the idea is becoming popular. The last two principles are communal memorization and optimized land use. In days past, some towns and cities had burials one on top of each there due to lack of space and crises situations leading to quick burials, whereas now it is easier to organize them.
Also, the use of monuments isn’t permitted here but a GPS register or a plaque at entrance stating who is buried here can be used.
The first conservation cemetery started in Canada is the Denman Island Natural Burial Cemetery in B.C. where a resident or immediate family buys a “right to Interment” and they pick the plot for you. They are less expensive to use but the main difficulties of them is they are harder to find to get to use one of them. People must get over the stigma of green burials being weird or a poor alternative to standard burials. There are even some death cafes that have opened up to discuss this alternative form of burials and explain to people the benefits of going green.
Is a Columbarium an Option for Your Cemetery?
Cremation burials are now well exceeding traditional burials; as a result, Columbariums are becoming a very popular choice. They are a great option for cemeteries with limited space remaining, and for families who don’t wish to be buried in the ground.
At Cedar Hill and Greenwood Cemetery we have 5 Columbariums; 4 are different styles and sizes. Each Columbarium has positive and negative characteristics. The one with bronze plaques is the least favourite, the plaques are very costly and inconvenient to order. Another does not have a ledge between tiles so when taking the lower tiles out, all tiles above need to be removed and/or secured. The Niches with the black doors are more convenient for lettering, you will be able to work with the monument company where you purchase the Columbarium.
The cost of purchasing a Columbarium is notable for sure, check the price on different sizes. A proper foundation is important as well, you will need to include that in your budget. We like the walkway to and around it with a broom finish in the concrete; this adds to safety, more affordable and easier to maintain.
Before you get discouraged on the price to purchase and install a Columbarium work out the income expected from sales. Check with other cemeteries to see what they are charging. Include the Opening/ Closing income you will receive. Also, income from door lettering. Now you can see the profit from the purchase. You might want to budget that when 50% of the Niches are sold your investment will be paid and the rest can be tucked away in anticipation of your next unit.
Your mission now is to raise funds for the purchase. Some suggestions are requesting donations, having fund raisers, and co-oping with your local funeral home as well as having families prepay their Niche. You can work with the monument company to see if you can make a deposit upon ordering and pay the remainder when it is installed.
We are seeing how much families appreciate the simplicity of owning a Niche. Another benefit for cemeteries is the lack of maintenance and perpetual care.
Donna Gray
Executive Director
Cedar Hill-Greenwood Cemetery
Why Do Some Cemeteries Just Fade Away?
Many cemeteries are left uncared for and then disappear. There are thousands of cemeteries just in New Brunswick alone that are lost and may never be found again. How does this happen? One of the main reasons is that they are abandoned. When this happens, time does its job and nature slowly takes over with grass, weeds and trees covering the area. Soon it goes back to what it was before it was a cemetery.
The main question is why are they abandoned? In the case of family cemeteries, they may have no burials for many years. The family members may have left the area or passed away bringing and end to the care of the cemetery. Any stones left standing eventually fall over and become covered by earth, grass, weeds and trees until no visible signs of them are left.
When church, community and other cemeteries become full, who looks after them? The people who did maintain it, might not have any perpetual care funds left, no funds at all, or are just not able to continue caring for the cemetery. In some cases, volunteers do the upkeep but may not continue for the long term. In some provinces and municipalities, the local or provincial government may take over care of cemeteries that would otherwise be abandoned.
Some ask if it is worth keeping up a cemetery or should they let it go? Others say that cemeteries aren’t that important, what purpose do they have?
There are many reasons for appreciating the value of cemeteries and the need to look after the ones we have. This is the final resting place where people can find you. A physical reminder such as a monument or marker is necessary as your record. More people are using an urn now not a casket, but it still is a physical spot where monuments show inscriptions with data about the deceased which is informative and a link to the past. Some people who want an urn burial can spread some of their ashes in the woods or in a lake and they could still bury the rest in an urn.
What if you do get forgotten in the future and your story is lost? Everyone has some history of importance and there will be people who are interested in it so their resting place needs to be found.
What about the cemetery itself? They are very interesting places full of a variety of monuments and stones. Now there are columbariums with niches showing names and dates of the deceased that can help families, historians, researchers, and genealogists to find someone they are searching for. Cemeteries are also a place of solitude and peace that can calm the soul and bring tranquility to those who visit. They usually are very quiet, places of serenity without the outside world of confusion and chaos.
Cemeteries have been around since humans have been on earth and they can fade and be lost through time which results in the loss of records of people’s lives. History is forgotten so easily but should be remembered so we have a record of what people have done, the good and the bad and use this to improve the world.
King Size Burial
Who has the largest most elaborate tomb in the world? This one is over 4000 years old. It was made of 2.3 million red stones each weighing over two tons each and this pyramid was 481 feet tall but now is 449 feet tall due to erosion and removal of most of the polished limestone casing stones. This is the tomb of King Thufu of Giza in Egypt who had the Great Pyramid built to hold the vault within it for his body after his death. The pyramid is a solid structure with a few tunnels in it but has over 3700 chambers. Most burial chambers in pyramids were built well under ground but Thufu’s is above ground. It was built by using an encircling embankment of earth and brick that increased in height as stones were added. As its height increased, they kept moving the blocks up the ramps by using rollers and levers. The estimate of men used to make it ranged from 20,000 to 100,000 and it took 20 years.
The descending tunnel started at 56 feet above ground on the north side and goes down to the bedrock and it had a concealed entrance to hide it, but robbers found it and took most of the valuables from it. The Great Pyramid was the only pyramid to have an ascending tunnel in it that started part way off the descending tunnel. To stop thieves from finding it, they blocked this entrance with granite plugs. But in 1860 the powerful Muslem ruler, the caliph Ma’mun had his men drill into the side of the structure by heating the stones and then cooling them with vinegar that caused the stones to crack and they could finally tear them apart using iron bars. In this process they found by good luck, the ascending tunnel.
There were seven wonders of the ancient world but this is the last one left. It is amazing that after all these years that a structure as incredible as the Great Pyramid can still be seen today.
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of relevant information.
Go to www.associationofnbcemeteries.com
Executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President 506-684-2506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-672-4309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 506-672-5044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
Fall 2024 Volume 2 Number 11
72 Carleton Street, St. George NB, E5C 3C1
Phone (506) 898-1350 Email: stgeorgeruralcemetery@gmail.com
Chairperson – Ralph Buehler
Vice Chairperson – Sara Sparks
Treaurer – Lana Palahuta
Secretary – Joan Majchrowski
Business
The Association of NB Cemeteries will have a Fall General Meeting on Friday, October 4, 2024, 1 PM at the Lutz Mountain Meeting House, 3143 Mountain Road, Moncton. The guest speaker will be Tracey Burkhardt of M5 Public Affairs. This company has provided the Association with a strategic plan to bring awareness to the public about important issues affecting cemeteries and the need for improvements to how they are governed by the province. This could be the most important meeting ever held by the Association. We want to rally your support for our efforts. Please make plans to attend!
Unusual burials:
With the advent of widespread rail travel by the early 1900’s circuses could travel much more quickly and efficiently so they used this transportation to get from place to place across the country with their animals and entertainers. In 1930 the Barnes Five Ring Animal Circus was heading to PEI from Newcastle and were just 19 miles from Moncton to when the train derailed killing 4 employees and injuring many others. It was a tragedy at that time with the people of Moncton coming to their assistance and they did much to help in any way they could. The circus was owned by Al Barnes a railroad magnate who also owned most of the circuses on the east coast and he pushed to get from place to place to make the most money. It was said the train was going too fast and that caused the crash but couldn’t be proved saying it was a mechanical failure of a snapped arch-bar. This was used as an excuse to not give the families of the injured any compensation. The tragedy was severe and two of the four men killed were buried at Elmwood cemetery. Also 17 men went to the hospital and many more had broken bones. No animals were hurt because they were at the front of the train that didn’t derail. A special show was held in Moncton to show their appreciation for the city’s help and the next day a funeral service was held for the men and then the show continued to Nova Scotia to continue its performances. For many years after that a memorial service was given when they came to Moncton for a show.
Does Governance Training Matter?
ABSOLUTELY!! More than ever, Good Governance remains crucial in today’s tenuous business environment. Good Governance assists in ensuring that your Board is effective, instilling confidence to key stakeholders. Key stakeholders, such as sponsors, governments, volunteers and others are now demanding good governance transparency. Lacking Board confidence will likely keep these important stakeholders from becoming involved with your organization.
Recent reports have confirmed that there are significant gaps in Board governance education. Statistics prove that over 75% of Board Directors do not have prior board governance experience and 50% do not dedicate sufficient time to governance training. Shocking statistics that should be an urgent “call to action” for all Boards.
“Every Board Member should be educated in appropriate good governance practices.” This is essential in the success of your Board and its Directors. Good Governance helps ensure confidence in your key stakeholders and will maintain your Board’s solid reputation.
After giving my Presentation at your spring meeting this year, D2 Governance Support Services has created an opportunity to provide tailored governance training exclusively for you. This training will cover the following key areas:
• Conducting Effective Board Meetings
• Board Director Governance Roles
• Responsibilities and Conflict of Interest.
These training opportunities will be available to all NB Cemeteries Association Board Members early in 2025. Stay tuned for further information coming your way soon.
Remember, your Board’s success and reputation is at stake.
D2 Governance Support Services
#ExpertInsights
#GoodGovernanceMatters
d2sup.com
Update at Birdton Cemetery
Birdton Cemetery has retired the very weathered wooden sign and now has a stone with the cemetery name. The church and cemetery were founded about 1826 by Samuel and Letitia Bird and family. The current church is the fourth at this site and is about 75 years old. Congratulations Birdton, well done!
Fernhill: The City of Sleep with Stones that Speak’
We are excited to announce the release of ‘Fernhill: The City of Sleep with Stones that Speak’, a new book that uncovers the rich tapestry of history within the grounds of Fernhill Cemetery. This thought-provoking book delves into the rich and often overlooked world of cemetery history. With meticulous research and engaging storytelling, authors David Goss and Harold E. Wright bring to light the stories and significance behind the gravestones, monuments and landmarks found throughout Fernhill, as well as it’s humble beginning as the “Rural Cemetery” over 175 years ago.
The opening of the book is as follows: “The Fernhill of today is a cumulation of its history and development for more than 175 years. The foresight, planning and guardianship of this land, and those who repose here, now give 197 acres of mature trees, gardens and meadows, all interlaced with forty-nine miles of walking paths and roadways. Those who visit these grounds today may be friends and family of those who rest here, or perhaps historians and genealogists studying the death industry or tracing genealogy, or horticulturalists studying this diverse mature park setting. On any given day you will see dog walkers and joggers seeking the peace and tranquillity of this City of Sleep.”
‘Fernhill: The City of Sleep with Stones that Speak’ is available for purchase at the cemetery office.
Researching
There is an interesting article in a genealogy magazine that explains the many records that cemeteries can contain. The types of records they have can include such information as the deceased name, date of death, family members, place of residence, cause of death, employment history, association memberships and other valuable data that makes this person real. Other records are: the deeds to the plot, burial permits, plot records, interment records and of course the information on the monuments. This information should be at the office if there is one. Finding a cemetery can sometimes be difficult but the resources you can use include: libraries, archives records, newspapers, funeral homes, court houses, post offices, university archives and genealogy and historical societies. Then of course with the internet you have many sites to help you with the largest being: Find a Grave, Billion Graves, Interment.net, Family Search, Death Indexes, Cyndi’s List and Waymarking. There are lots of ways to help your search and if it is possible, go to the actual cemetery and look around, this could be the solution to the brick wall. Happy hunting.
Be sure to visit our web site that has lots of relevant information.
Go to www.associationofnbcemeteries.com
Executive of Association of NB Cemeteries:
Valerie Traer, President 506-684-2506
Donna Gray, Vice President 506-672-4309
Stephen Jarvis, Treasurer 506-672-5044
Graham West, Secretary 506-850-1672
