ROCHESTER, N.Y. — A woman raised concerns about veteran headstones at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery being covered in dirt and debris, nearly a year after the same issue was first reported.
“Disappointed. You know, again, this is just heartbreaking and disrespectful. Not only for the living, but for the dead. They don’t have a voice,” said Susan Nati.
News10NBC’s Tom Kowalski spoke with Nati about her frustration with the cemetery’s groundskeeping. She takes care of 16 headstones across the cemetery and plans to be buried there herself.
“My name is already on the headstone with my mother. So knowing that I’m coming here, and then I think to myself, is this place going to go into disarray after I’m gone?” Nati said.
Nati described seeing the same conditions a week earlier. “Grass covered every one of them. You couldn’t even make out the rows,” Nati said.
Cemetery responds
Tom visited the same spot on Wednesday and found many headstones covered in grass, making them hard to read. He emailed cemetery leadership on Thursday. By Friday, the headstones were cleared.
Cemetery leadership provided the following statement:
Honoring the veterans entrusted to our care is a priority at Holy Sepulchre Cemeteries, and the cleaning and maintenance of veterans’ graves is an ongoing process throughout the season.
With regular rain, rapid grass growth, and continual mowing and grounds maintenance, grass clippings and other natural debris can accumulate on and around monuments. Our team continually works through the cemetery to address these areas, including cleaning veterans’ sections.
We regret that some families have encountered graves that were difficult to see due to accumulated debris, and we understand how upsetting that can be. We are reviewing the concerns raised and will continue to prioritize the veterans’ sections as part of our ongoing maintenance efforts.
Looking ahead
So what does Nati want to see change at the cemetery going forward?
“Invest more money in your landscapers, however much you got to pay them. This is a cemetery where everyone comes. You’re on display here. You know, be proud of your grounds and your landscapers and your work. You know, I don’t think it’s that hard,” Nati said.
“Doesn’t take much effort to clear these off and just keep them cleared. Leaf blower. Just walked down, and just keep it going.”
Nati added it’s not just veterans whose headstones have been overgrown. Headstones like her brother’s had similar issues with grass growth, making it difficult to read until she cleared it off herself.
One year later, same problem: Veteran headstones at Rochester cemetery still getting buried under grass and debris WHEC.com.
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