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Adopt-A-Cemetery
This program is designed to preserve and protect our
heritage for future generations and to involve the
public in the preservation and long term maintenance
of one of our non-renewable cultural resources - our
cemeteries.
Local organizations, church groups, scouts, and
individuals are encouraged to adopt a cemetery in
their community. The adopting group upholds a
schedule of maintenance to preserve the dignity of
the cemetery. Many of these cemeteries have suffered
abandonment and neglect primarily because families
have died out or moved away.
What is an Adopt-A-Cemetery program?
The Adopt-A-Cemetery Program is a way to connect
individuals, groups, and organizations with
cemeteries in need of attention and maintenance.
Who Can Adopt?
Any one interested in the care and preservation of
cemeteries, or a particular cemetery, is eligible to
participate in the Adopt-A-Cemetery program. This
includes civic organizations, such as Boy Scouts,
Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts, Brownies, church groups,
history groups, high school groups, as well as
individuals.
What are the Responsibilities of the Stafford County
Cemetery Committee (SCCC)?
The SCCC will:
-Establish the rules and regulations regarding the
adoption, clean up, and maintenance of a cemetery.
-Determine the owner/guardian of the cemetery to be
adopted and obtain that person's permission to clean
and maintain the cemetery.
-Act as the coordinator between the adopting
organization, or individual, and the property
owner/guardian.
-Provide assistance in carrying out the overall
plan.
-Conduct media coverage to inform the public of the
program.
What are the Responsibilities of the Property Owner?
The property owner will grant permission for the
daylight ingress and egress to the cemetery for the
purpose of maintenance, history and/or visitation
What are the Responsibilities of the Adopting
Organization or Individual?
The adopting organization, or individual, will be
responsible for the general clean up of the cemetery
and establishing a routine schedule of maintenance.
The adopting organization, or individual, will
adhere to the rules and regulations set down by the
Stafford County Cemetery Committee concerning the
clean up and maintenance of cemeteries.
What is the Status of Liability?
The SCCC, the property owner/guardian, and the
adopting organization, or individual, understand
that all their activity within the cemetery is
strictly on a volunteer basis, and that none of the
above named parties are liable for any injuries
incurred while working in the cemetery.
What are the Safety Precautions for Volunteers?
The SCCC will provide, as part of the rules and
regulations, safety precautions related to the care
and maintenance of cemeteries.
All adopting organizations, or individuals, will
conduct safety meetings with the volunteers to
discuss the safer precautions provided by the SCCC.
How does an Organization, or Individual Adopt a
Cemetery?
Any interested organization, group, or individual
should submit a written request for an application
to:
Stafford County Cemetery Committee
c/o Anita Dodd
149 Tackett's Mill Road
Stafford, VA 22556
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