Trinity Reformed Church Graveyard

We are pleased to report that the Trinity Reformed Church Graveyard is officially established and in operation, and plots are now available for purchase. Below are some of the details about the Graveyard, and in particular what details are involved in purchasing plots.

1. Organization

The Trinity Reformed Church Graveyard (henceforth, “the Graveyard”) is an independent organization, governed by its own Board of Trustees. In our case, the Board is appointed by the TRC board of elders. Yet, the Graveyard is, in fact, separate from TRC, and its lands are perpetually designated as a cemetery. (In other words, the fate of the Graveyard is not, technically, bound together with that of TRC.) The Graveyard’s operating rules are specified in the Graveyard Covenants, approved by the TRC Board of Elders.

2. Location, layout

The Graveyard is located immediately to the northeast of TRC. It will be accessed by its own entrance off of Endwright road, and have its own parking lot and roads allowing access to the graves. It comprises 4.33 acres, about 60% of which will be used for grave plots (the rest will be used for landscaping). We have space for 1,500 plots, currently, each of them 10 feet long by 5 feet wide.

3. Allocation of plots for sale

Although 1,500 plots have been designated, logistical realities mean that we will not be making each of those plots immediately available for purchase. Some will not be immediately accessible because roads are not yet in place. Some are dependent upon future landscaping decisions. In view of these and other factors, the graveyard board has decided to make available initially a rectangular block of plots designated by A35 through O22 (see the attached image—the yellow area will be our initial block of plots). Within this block, any plot is available (excepting the plots occupied by landscaping) on a first-come, first-served basis.

4. Prices for plots

As specified in the Graveyard Covenants document, the price for a plot is $750, plus a one-time $750 perpetual maintenance fee. The latter charge goes toward all maintenance necessary for the graveyard, including mowing, weed control, insurance, and so on. Purchasers of plots will receive a Certificate of Purchase describing the location and guaranteeing the rights associated with their plot.

5. Regulations involving Plots

The Graveyard Covenants document (PDF) lays out a variety of regulations regarding plots. Some of these are for theological and moral reasons (e.g., no blasphemy allowed on monuments), while others are more practically oriented. I will send out the document at our official launch announcement, but if you would like to read it ahead of time, please contact me. And if you have a particular question about whether some practice or decoration will be allowed in the Graveyard, feel free to ask.

6. Future construction plans

Currently, we recognize that the Graveyard is basically a field, with a few of our dearest souls planted therein. Our goal is to begin transforming it into something beautiful as soon as possible! This will include several aspects, including roads, fencing, and landscaping. Our hope is to get as many of these items done in a year’s time as possible, but, as the cost for these will run many thousands of dollars, the timeframe depends heavily upon the finances we have available. Trees will likely be our first priority, and we have a special offer if you’d like to contribute to that (see below).

7. Finances

The Graveyard’s operation is dependent solely on funds it receives from either sale of plots or other contributions made to it. If you’d like to make a donation, please do so right here! As you might guess, our funds at this point are minimal. As we sell plots, we will have funding available to perform the construction plans we desire (see above).

Buy-a-Graveyard-Tree

We recognize that many of you may not be interested in purchasing a plot, but would like to support the graveyard. You may, of course, contribute financially at any time directly to the Graveyard, and we would greatly appreciate it. But if you’d like to give a more tangible demonstration of your support, you may donate a tree for the Graveyard. For $250–$500 (exact price will depend on the size of tree you choose), we will purchase and plant an appropriate tree, and include a small marker on the tree mentioning your support. This is a very easy way to help us immediately begin to beautify the Graveyard, and to leave a physical legacy of your support. Please contact me if you’re interested in this.

We are excited about the possibilities the Graveyard offers to us as a church, and to our surrounding community as well. I trust this has answered some of your questions, though surely not all of them. If you have further questions, feel free to bring them to my attention. And again, stay tuned for more information.