Seasonal care needed - make a positive impact
By Mike Watson
Spring is here and many seasonal things must be tackled in the great scheme of life. I'm not referring to lawn care, gardening, general household maintenance, nor the many other tasks that this time of year brings.
No, I'm referring to our family cemeteries--the upkeep of the 'silent cities' or our loved ones; the final resting places of our revered ancestors, the makers of our history.
Spring brings new growth. Before it takes hold of your rural cemetery, clear away brush, fallen branches, undergrowth, weeds and leaves.
Using best practices, gently clean stones with the recommended products--be gentle, many older stones can and will crumble, straighten stones with help from those with strong backs, and repair damaged markers.
Beware of such things as creepy-crawly things--bugs, ticks, snakes, and more--as well as poison ivy and poison oak. This early time of year is a good time to tackle a graveyard cleanup--and avoid the aforementioned deal-breakers for some or many.
We always use the phrase, "do no harm" when interacting with cemeteries. Leave it as you found it, but better. Even if you pick up trash, brush leaves from a grave marker, straighten a flag, place flowers, this is positive action for a revered place.
Many cemeteries here or in any area are no longer taken care of on a regular basis. Why? Every family farm had a cemetery here in Adair County and in other rural areas. When that land changes hands, or when the descendants have died or moved away, there is no one to tend the graves anymore--unless a new landowner or friend steps in to do it.
No matter how you feel about owning land upon which a cemetery exists, this is sacred ground. Please do what you can to make this a well-remembered place--do not harm, don't deface, destroy, plow over, or bull doze a cemetery. Those people were someone's family--would you not want the same kindness shown to your relatives?
This story was posted on 2024-04-19 09:41:46.
Email comments or corrections.
By Mike Watson
Spring is here and many seasonal things must be tackled in the great scheme of life. I'm not referring to lawn care, gardening, general household maintenance, nor the many other tasks that this time of year brings.
No, I'm referring to our family cemeteries--the upkeep of the 'silent cities' or our loved ones; the final resting places of our revered ancestors, the makers of our history.
Spring brings new growth. Before it takes hold of your rural cemetery, clear away brush, fallen branches, undergrowth, weeds and leaves.
Using best practices, gently clean stones with the recommended products--be gentle, many older stones can and will crumble, straighten stones with help from those with strong backs, and repair damaged markers.
Beware of such things as creepy-crawly things--bugs, ticks, snakes, and more--as well as poison ivy and poison oak. This early time of year is a good time to tackle a graveyard cleanup--and avoid the aforementioned deal-breakers for some or many.
We always use the phrase, "do no harm" when interacting with cemeteries. Leave it as you found it, but better. Even if you pick up trash, brush leaves from a grave marker, straighten a flag, place flowers, this is positive action for a revered place.
Many cemeteries here or in any area are no longer taken care of on a regular basis. Why? Every family farm had a cemetery here in Adair County and in other rural areas. When that land changes hands, or when the descendants have died or moved away, there is no one to tend the graves anymore--unless a new landowner or friend steps in to do it.
No matter how you feel about owning land upon which a cemetery exists, this is sacred ground. Please do what you can to make this a well-remembered place--do not harm, don't deface, destroy, plow over, or bull doze a cemetery. Those people were someone's family--would you not want the same kindness shown to your relatives?
This story was posted on 2024-04-19 09:41:46.
Email comments or corrections.
Please care for cemeteries on your property
2024-04-19 - Adair County, KY - Photo by Mike Watson
Family cemeteries are the 'silent cities' or our loved ones; the final resting places of our revered ancestors, the makers of our history. Spring brings new growth. Before it takes hold of your rural cemetery, clear away brush, fallen branches, undergrowth, weeds and leaves. Comments | Permalink
2024-04-19 - Adair County, KY - Photo by Mike Watson
Family cemeteries are the 'silent cities' or our loved ones; the final resting places of our revered ancestors, the makers of our history. Spring brings new growth. Before it takes hold of your rural cemetery, clear away brush, fallen branches, undergrowth, weeds and leaves. Comments | Permalink