As cities and municipalities plan their budgets for the upcoming year, there are countless infrastructure and community needs to consider. One crucial area that often gets overlooked is cemetery restoration.
By preserving these historic resting places, members of the community can honor those who came before us and appreciate the town’s or city’s past. Continue reading to learn more about why it's important to start budgeting for your cemetery restoration services in your community.
1. Liability and Injuries
Fallen stones and unstable foundations could spell significant liability risks for cities and privately owned cemeteries. These are hazards that could lead to injuries among visitors and employees, potentially holding property owners accountable. As Gervelis Law Firm explains, ‘An important part of premises liability claims involves proving that the property owner knew his or her property could be dangerous, but did nothing to correct the situation.’
Preventive measures include work like aligning rows of headstones, fixing broken memorials, pouring new headstone foundations, cemetery landscaping and more. Taking care of these issues can help protect against injuries and avoid liability risks.
2. Preserve Your Community’s Landmarks
The history of your community lies heavily in the cemeteries and serves as significant landmarks. Honoring the legacy of past generations includes taking care of these monuments and building the stories of families for years to come.
By allocating funds for cemetery restoration and partnering with a trusted stone and restoration service, you can restore headstones and monuments to their original condition, preserving their beauty and historical significance for generations to come.
3. Reduce Weather-Related Conditions
Cemeteries endure year-round exposure to the elements, with conditions like sun, rain, snow, ice, and fluctuating temperatures leading to deterioration over time. Headstones and monuments can erode, crack, or fade due to these environmental factors. Regular restoration helps cities address weather-related damage before it becomes severe, ensuring that these historical landmarks are reinforced and protected against further wear.
4. Preventative Maintenance Can Save Money in the Long-Run
Undoubtedly, neglecting cemetery maintenance can lead to costly repairs in the future. When minor issues like cracks or leaning headstones are left unchecked, they often require more expensive restoration down the line.
By incorporating preventative maintenance into your city’s annual budget, you can save money in the long run. These small repairs not only extend the life of headstones and monuments but also help avoid expensive restoration projects caused by decades of neglect.
5. Cemeteries Can Be Brought Back to Their Original Condition
Even cemeteries that have been neglected for years can be restored to their former glory. A great example of this is the restoration of a mid-1800s cemetery that was revived to near-original condition by the Milano Stone & Restoration team. Through careful cleaning, repair, and restoration techniques, the cemetery’s historical significance was preserved, and its monuments were restored to a state of beauty and dignity.
Budgeting for cemetery restoration services can bring neglected cemeteries back to life, creating a space that honors both history and those laid to rest there.
>> Related Resource: How Cemetery Restoration Services Revived a Mid-1700s Cemetery to Near Original Condition
Looking for Other Ways to Restore Your Cemetery?
Grants can provide much-needed financial support for cities looking to budget for cemetery restoration. Cemetery restoration services are crucial because monuments deteriorate, crack, crumble, or sink due over time to outdoor climates. However, with projects ranging from $5,000 to $250,000, applying for grants can be a great way to reduce these costs.
Luckily, cemeteries aren’t necessarily expected to pay for or raise this money themselves. City street budgets and surrounding universities will likely have leftover budgets to be used for these cemetery restoration grants.
Start Restoring Your Cemetery with Milano Restoration Services
Preserving the history of your community starts with caring for its cemeteries and monuments. Let Milano Stone & Restoration help you restore headstones and monuments to their original condition, ensuring your city’s legacy lives on for generations. Contact our expert restoration specialists today to get started on your cemetery restoration project.