Turner-North Turner Cemetery Seeks Support to Respect those who have Passed

If you’re like most folks, you drive by cemeteries all the time and it may never occur to you what supports them and how they pay for maintenance. I know I never gave it a lot of thought until the last couple of years. I spoke with Sexton Butch Quimby because I was concerned about the appearance and up keep of the cemetery. I learned a lot. I learned that he was having trouble finding someone to do the mowing, raking and clean up, that when he could find someone it was quite expensive and that he had to stretch out the mowings as much as he could because of limited funds. I learned that the cemetery is funded primarily by money taken in when folks buy a new lot and there are few lots sold these days. The majority of lots were purchased many years ago.  I also learned that the town annually pays a nominal fee to the Cemetery Association for each veteran buried there. Depending on the situation and type of cemetery most cemeteries are supported by funds collected from interments and lot purchase., not by the town Aside from these two things there is no income to support the upkeep of the cemetery.

I know it is important to many people that the cemetery be kept looking nice and cared for. But it is becoming increasingly difficult to do that with limited funds and cost of everything higher than ever before. A few folks care for their own family lots. Most folks rely on the Cemetery Association to do this, I know I always did until I spoke with Butch and found out the situation.

All of this is to ask folks if you have a family lot in the North Turner Cemetery to consider a couple of things. One would be going to the lot in the spring and fall (or any other time you like) to clean your lot of any dead flowers or memorial items, perhaps trim around the stones. Also please consider a donation to the Cemetery Association to help with the maintenance costs. Once a year in the spring would be fabulous but any amount at any time would be welcome and much appreciated. ALL funds go toward the the upkeep of the cemetery…Butch has been sexton for many years and this is purely a volunteer position.

If you are interested in making a donation you can send it to :
Lester Quimby
38 Quimby Rd.
Turner Maine 04282
Please make check payable to: North Turner Cemetery Association

Thank you for your consideration of this matter.
Rhonda Chase
Secretary, Cemetery Association