What is perpetual care as it applies to cemeteries and burials? Put simply, perpetual care is a Pennsylvania-mandated fund.

When somebody chooses Oak Grove Cemetery for their loved ones to be buried, fifteen percent of the sale price is dedicated toward the perpetual care fund. This creates a fund Oak Grove can draw upon in future years. The fund essentially ensures that the cemetery infrastructure remains well maintained.

It is up to family members to care for individual gravestones. Cemetery trustees have the responsibility of maintenance of cemetery facilities.

What else do perpetual funds pay for? They can be used for various maintenance activities within a cemetery. Funds could be used for things such as mowing the lawn, maintaining pathways, or creating signage. Funds could also be used for security purposes or to mitigate weather damage. The listed examples are just some possible expenses that may be paid with perpetual care funds.

Does perpetual care last forever? No. One of the biggest misunderstandings is that perpetual care means forever. That isn’t always realistic, though. Perpetual care was very inexpensive throughout the 1960’s and 1970’s. The money dedicated during that time can rarely continue to cover the costs of basic services today. This makes it nearly impossible to care for some cemeteries in the long term. When burials discontinue, funds start to dry up. Cemeteries face an uphill battle when trying to keep up with rapidly growing costs and demands. Many lack adequate upkeep or rely heavily on volunteer help.

It is Oak Grove’s mission to provide perpetual care for the cemetery, and we are working toward that goal in a difficult economy. Tax deductible, dedicated donations may be made to the Oak Grove Perpetual Care Fund.

Information used with permission from Strause Law Group, PLLC.