Union and West End Cemetery

This past week the Union and West End Cemetery had a burial. This is a somewhat unusual event. You might ask; what is so unusual about a cemetery having a burial? Well, for one thing, the cemetery is 153 years old. Most of the lot owners have passed away. In some few instances, descendants have paperwork that support their claim to the lot. But for the most part, the cemetery association board does not know many of the owners of the cemetery lots. There are some 2200 lots in the cemetery each 16' X 16', enough space for ten graves. The association is in contact with only fifty-three lot owners of record.

The burial, this past week, was the first burial for 2007. The only legitimate income that the cemetery produces is burial fees. It is no wonder that the cemetery is a non-profit corporation, operated by volunteers. There are no paid employees, there is no money with which to pay them. The cemetery gets its operational funds from donations and grants, but it is never enough.

The cemetery is maintained by a dozen volunteers and with assistance from the Allentown Community Corrections Center. The incarcerated individuals that are in need of community credit hours give the cemetery three hours a week, three Sundays a month. Their help is greatly appreciated.

Below are photos taken of the recent burial:

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