What is Perpetual Care?

Most cemeteries offer perpetual care and some are legally obligated by the state laws to offer it. This term is very easy to misunderstand and most clients don’t know what’s included in it. At Willowbrook Cemetery, we encourage people to understand what it means. Here’s a brief introduction to what you need to know about perpetual care:

What is It?

Perpetual care is a fund put together to help maintain cemetery grounds, graves, crypts, mausoleums, etc. Families of people buried in the cemetery grounds contribute towards these funds to ensure the place is clean, well-maintained, and secure.

What does the Cemetery Establishment do With These Funds?

They make sure the grass is mowed regularly, pathways and seats on the grounds are maintained well, and signage is visible. Some establishments will also use the funds to repair broken headstones or grave markers but this doesn’t happen often. The management won’t clean or maintain your loved one’s gravesite. That is your responsibility and not involved in services provided. However, some cemeteries will accept requests to keep the gravesite clean at an additional cost.

Two Care and Maintenance Funds

Sometimes a cemetery establishment will have two different care and maintenance funds. One is reserved for general cemetery grounds care while other is reserved for gravesite care. They will make sure the gravesite is safe and undamaged and keep the cemetery securely locked during nighttime. This can help prevent vandalism. It’s always a good idea to speak with the cemetery management directly regarding perpetual care. They will provide a clear idea of what to expect and what’s not included in the program.

If you want to know about cemeteries or need to book a space, just give us at Willowbrook Cemetery a call on 203 222 8646 or contact us through our online form.