Everyone knows that cemeteries and graveyards are the “spooky” places shown in cartoons and other media for Halloween. Though this is a popular association, to me the only scary thing about cemeteries is the neglect. From overgrown weeds to dirty plaques, there are other things people need to worry about rather than skeletons running around. 

I do not know but if one of my loved one’s graves had the surrounding appearance of overgrown sidewalks and yellow grassed lawns, I would not be happy. That is why it is important for cemeteries to take care of their properties. Unfortunately, I have dealt with these problems as my grandmother is buried at a far east Montana cemetery and I was distraught to see how unkept her section would be.  

Everywhere I looked there would be thorns, dirt, overgrown weeds and sometimes bird poop on her plaque and patches of yellow grass all over the place. I also have a great-grandmother buried in the same cemetery, and her grave still suffers from the same neglect. It made my family and I angry to see how the last resting place of our beloved family member would be so ragged. Now every visit, we take it upon ourselves to make sure the plaques are clean, the weeds around are pulled out and that there is no dirt or pebbles on the site.  

Though this is not okay, families should not have to make sure that their loved ones’ graves are not dirty or decrepit, which is something these cemeteries promise. For those of us who have family members buried at these cemeteries, and even for those who do not, it is important we remember some of these places to maintain and keep the graves looking nice.  

Before some of you get ahead of yourselves let me just say, I am not looking for freshly cut grass every day or polished plaques or “perfection” rather I am asking for these resting places to be clean and free of anything that could potentially damage or ruin the graves. It is important these places take into account that we have entrusted our loved ones with their care, and their final resting places. Not only is it important to keep the graves nice for the family, but for those who claim them, and some of these places should respect that. 

Whether you think we should all be buried in capsules for tree planting or are pro-cremation, I think we can all agree beloved family members deserve a space where we do not have to worry about getting thorns stuck in our clothes and animals doing their business on the spot and not having it cleaned. Until then, let’s keep the skeletons in the closet and focus on the problems at hand with cemetery care. 

Elisha Nuñez is a staff reporter can be reached at [email protected]