Cemetery Guide

The Presbyterian Foundation is providing a newly created Cemetery Guide as a resource for churches and presbyteries to help guide the operations, preservation, and maintenance of cemeteries. Cemeteries are complex property with extensive regulations and laws that can change from state to state. Additionally, local customs and preferences vary depending on the culture of the region and the congregation.

Our Cemetery Guide is designed to help both congregations and mid councils understand the theological and practical aspects of cemetery management. We have consulted with national experts in cemetery management to create this guide, which also takes into account responsibilities concerning unmarked graves, indigenous burial grounds, and remains of those who were enslaved.

Many Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) churches have burial grounds as part of their property, and as churches have closed, presbyteries are inheriting burial property, and in some cases, the presbytery may not have much information about the cemetery. The inventory form that goes with this guide can assist with this issue. Churches should complete the form and send it to the presbytery. This shared information is vital in knowing who owns property, how it is maintained and insured, and what the ongoing responsibilities are for interment and burial.

You can download the complete guide at the button below, or you can download just the inventory form and distribute for completion. The inventory form collects all of the information needed to manage a cemetery, but keep in mind completing any of it is helpful.

We hope you find our Cemetery Guide to be helpful in your ministry.