For year 2013, I will offer
my services and training classes for free to any responsible cemetery entity that will accept me as an official volunteer.
This will alleviate having to purchase insurance as I would be covered by the cemetery entity.
Conserving History Preserved in Stone
Conserving Colorado Cemeteries and preserving their history is a top priority.
It is time to change perceptions of cemeteries as scary places, only visited around Halloween, to places of art, beauty, and
mystery. Colorado drew many that were searching for gold and they created a rich history as they lived. Their final resting
areas are just as interesting and unique.
Ethical conservation and preservation
of cemeteries should be a top priority. It should be guided by education, collaboration, and open dialogue.
Partnership
with Arvada County
This month will highlight a partnership with Arvada County
and a phenomenol young man, Matthew Prythero. Matthew has been tirelessly advocating for a small abandoned cemetery surrounded
by development. If he hadn't stepped in to save this place, the stones would have been removed and the land developed,
as it is in a prime place. Conservation efforts will involve repairing and resetting stones as well as working with volunteers
to define the grave spaces, thoroughly document all areas, and to engage with the public to help watch over this place.
The Afterlife - click on the season, crosses at top of photos, and wave your cursor over the pictures to see them come to
life.
In the News This Month! click
on links below
Cemetery Board burdened with repair costs
Man believes Obama win caused vandalism
Three young men to pay for vandalism
Body stolen from New Jersey cemetery
Cemetery Watch Program
This program can be set up anywhere where there are active, concerned, and willing participants.
I have a free presentation called "Funeraria - the theft and sale of cemetery artifacts". I will
also tell you how to set up a Cemetery Watch and offer possible solutions.
Check out more information on the
"Issues" page, near the bottom.
Cemeteries are the largest repositories of history in any county or city. They hold the remains of pioneers, statesman,
criminals, ne'er do wells, and average citizens.
Every day families search for their roots and the headstones
marking the resting places. It is a tangible way to connect with one's past.
Everything will decay. It is a
fact. All that can be attempted is to slow the progress and to document, as well as possible, what exists today.