In with the Old, Out with the New

I was in an abandoned cemetery around this time last year and was surprised to see a fresh wreath on a grave. Last year's wreath appeared to have been tossed outside the grave. This made me realize that, although a cemetery itself may be forgotten, some of the people buried there are not. Not everyone ceases to care after the cemetery itself goes to pot. Individuals are often helpless in this situation. Or are they?

One of the things that bothered me about the old wreath, is that it was just tossed aside along with the other mess in this cemetery. Why not remove it to a trash can? Why add to the problem? Unless they didn’t see it as a problem. My guess, and this is only a guess, is that the descendent (probably long distance) paid the cemetery owner to have the wreath placed on the grave. So it might have been a cemetery worker who tossed the old wreath.

Typical sign seen in cemeteries ("K of P" is not the cemetery in question)

But wait, I said the cemetery was “abandoned.” Why would there be an employee? This particular Victorian cemetery is locked up tight, with barred gates and high walls and fencing, and unmaintained. Trees and weeds grow wild. How can this be? How can the owner get away with this? Is he actually “getting away” with something? Or is he just in dire straits? Regardless, something needs to change – a Friends group could be formed, or a change of ownership may occur. The dead deserve greater respect. Besides, these people most likely PAID for greater respect in the form of “perpetual care.” Out with the old, in with the new.