Participating Cemeteries Seeking Members of Public to Help with Clean Up Activities
Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez: “Protecting our cemeteries benefits our communities, preserves our history and provides individuals a place to mourn and reflect.”
Volunteer for “Caring for Your Cemetery Day” on Saturday, April 27, 2024
The New York State Department of State announced today the first annual “Caring for Your Cemetery Day” will take place Saturday, April 27, 2024.
To raise awareness of the hard work and dedication that goes into cemeteries’ care, maintenance and preservation, the Department of State is launching a campaign to work with cemeteries to welcome volunteers to help prepare for the Spring season and Mother’s Day visits. Through this pilot program, the Department and participating cemeteries hope to generate interest in local cemeteries, especially among younger people, recruit future volunteers or even officers and trustees/directors, and identify local people with skills that cemeteries need. More than two dozen cemeteries will participate.
Secretary of State Robert J. Rodriguez said, “Protecting our cemeteries benefits our communities, preserves our history, and provides individuals with a place to mourn and reflect. Our goal is to teach a new generation of New Yorkers about the importance of our communities’ cemeteries. If you want a creative way to get involved in your community, try volunteering at your local cemetery and help future generations learn to appreciate the history, culture, and unique stories our cemeteries offer.”
Nathan Romagnola, President, New York State Association of Cemeteries said, “New York's Cemeteries work diligently to honor and preserve our communities, but we can’t do it without you. Volunteerism is essential to properly support New York's Not-for- Profit cemeteries and ensure that these sacred places are preserved for future generations. NYSAC thanks the New York State Department of State for their steadfast leadership and welcomes you to join Caring for Your Cemetery Day on April 27.”
Clean-up day tasks may include:
- Cleaning up small debris and trash
- Removing downed branches, weeds, and overgrowth
- Removing old seasonal decorations
- Planting flowers
- Scattering grass seed
- Other light tasks appropriate for untrained volunteers
The mission of the Department’s Division of Cemeteries is to ensure that regulated cemeteries do not become a burden on their communities by continuing to operate on a not-for-profit basis. The division regulates approximately 1,700 not-for-profit cemeteries in New York State by, among other things, providing technical assistance in cemetery operations and financial accounting. The division also offers training workshops year-round to educate cemetery operators and other interested individuals on how to maintain cemeteries, keep financial records, and try to ensure long-term viability.
Participating cemeteries include:
Capital Region
Onesquethaw Union Cemetery | 1889 Tarrytown Rd | Samantha | 518-441-0123 | 8:00 AM Start |
Central New York
Cortland Rural Cemetery | 110 Tompkins St | Kathy | 607-423-3622 | 8:00 AM Start | |
| Pleasant Cemetery | Route 5 | Mary Ann | 315-212-9925 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Virgil Rural Cemetery | 2023 Route 392 | Sue | 607-423-0490 | 9:00 AM Start |
Finger Lakes
Grove Place Cemetery | 2775 Chili Ave | Debbie | 585-880-1403 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Grove Place Cemetery | 60 Stryker Rd | Debbie | 585-880-1403 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Lakemont Cemetery | 439 Hayes Rd | George | 607-201-6308 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Maplewood Cemetery | The Shed, Middle Road | Gary | 585-820-7289 | 10:00 AM Start | |
North Farmington Friends Cemetery | 250 Sheldon Rd | Mary | 585-739-3505 | 10:00 AM Start | |
Riga Cemetery | 970 Churchville Riga Rd (Rt 36) | John | (585) 538-2951 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Rural Cemetery Association of Fayette | 4091 Route 414 | Roger | 315-521-6833 | 10:30 AM Start | |
South Perinton Cemetery | 273 Wilkinson Rd | Paul | 585-727-0359 | 8:00 AM Start |
Hudson Valley
Milan Union Cemetery | 411 Milan Hollow Rd | Thomas | 914-282-7970 | 11:00 AM Start | |
Rossville Cemetery Assoc | 818 Route 32 | Alan | 845-564-5238 | 10:00 AM Start |
Mohawk Valley
Broadalbin Union Rural Cemetery | 481-485 Union Mills Rd | Melissa | 518-752-8024 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Exeter Center Cemetery | 857 Co Hwy 22 | Gayle | 607-965-8256 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Rome Cemetery Association | 1500 Jervis Ave | Malinda | 315-336-6210 | 10:30 AM Start |
North Country
East DeKalb Cemetery | East DeKalb Rd | Dave | 315-347-3588, x2 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Elmwood Cemetery | Elmwood Ave | Patricia | 315-778-2017 | 1:00 PM Start | |
Hale Cemetery | 3366 County Route 47 | John | 315-323-0481 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Northeast Cambria Union Cemetery | Budd Rd | Elaine | 716-560-0007 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Riverside Cemetery of Norwood | 141 Lakeshore Dr | Thomas | 315-353-2500 | 10:30 AM Start |
Southern Tier
McLean Cemetery Assoc | Church St | Ron | 607-423-2116 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Oakwood Cemetery | 134 Buck Road | Jane | 607-467-3518 | 9:00 AM Start |
Western New York
Eden Evergreen Cemetery | 2862 E Church St | Jeff | 716-992-3411 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Glenwood Cemetery | 325 Glenwood Ave | Barbara | 716-504-7418 | 10:30 AM Start | |
Union Cemetery Association of Spring Brook Inc | 470 Rice Rd | Patricia | 716-668-2126 | jakubowski@gmail.com | 10:00 AM Start |
If you are interested in participating, you may reach out to any of these cemeteries. You may also contact the division at cemeteries@dos.ny.gov or call 518-474-6226 with any questions.
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