UPDATED: Freeholders Contracting for Interment Services at Veterans’ Cemetery

CREST HAVEN — Since the first U.S. military veteran was interred at Cape May County Veterans Cemetery, dedicated in 1980, there have been no regulations regarding grave digging. That is about to change since freeholders, on Tue., July 24, passed a resolution to allow competitive contracting for “provision of interment services.”
That means a private firm, perhaps a monument retailer, would offer a bid to provide the service. After review of all bids, a recommendation would be made to award a contract for the service to the lowest responsible bidder. It would also give the county control over regulations governing specifics how those graves are prepared.
The county has printed “Conditions for Burial” in the Crest Haven Road final resting place of about 4,800 military veterans and their spouses, but nothing regulates digging of graves.
Edmund Grant, county director of operations, told freeholders at the 3 p.m. caucus session of the agenda item that would seek proposals from firms seeking to perform that service at the cemetery.
“We will meet with veterans’ groups to make sure they understand what we are proposing,” Grant told the board.
Grant termed as “horrible” the condition of some bronze grave markers that are settling, sunken or sideways. Part of the reason for that deplorable state, Grant said, was that asphalt pathways are located too close to the graves.
“When they dig a grave inches from the pathway, it settles, and now, by removing the path they can dig holes farther down and put the headstone on solid ground,” Grant added.
If all goes well, Grant said he hopes to coordinate efforts with veterans’ groups to “consider going back and fixing the ones that are all over the chart.”
“Finally, we’ve got a plan that is going to work. It took a long time to get there,” he added.
Vice Director M. Susan Sheppard was unclear what the county would be seeking by passage of the resolution. “What are we going out for?” she asked.
“Grave digging,” Grant responded, “So we can regulate them.”
“This isn’t a new approach. Other cemeteries have taken this approach. We own the cemetery and there are no guidelines out there. It’s wide open,” said Grant.
When a veteran dies, the funeral director is contacted by the family and arrangements are made that include opening a grave, Grant noted.
“There are no specifications, no rules, no nothing,” he added.
“I have been fighting this battle for 10 to 12 years,” said Director Gerald Thornton. “It’s been a battle. Lenny (Freeholder Leonard Desiderio) has it (the cemetery) now, he has Facilities and Services (which is tasked with cemetery care and maintenance). He’s trying to get the job done, and it’s not getting done the way we want,” Thornton added.
“We want to take control and get this thing done the way it should be done,” he continued.
“They don’t contract with us, they contract with the family,” said Grant. “Other facilities have specifications. One major thing is compression.” When that occurs, markers shift.
Virginia Tomlin, director of the Cape May County Veterans Bureau, which oversees the cemetery, underscored what Grant told the board.
“There were never any rules in place as to who can dig a grave or if they have insurance, if they had a problem digging or did not use proper equipment,” Tomlin said.
“Ed Grant is trying to do the right things,” said added.
She said present practice, when a veteran dies, is the family contacts the funeral director.
They, in turn, contact the firm that opens the grave. The county never dictated which firm that had to be, Tomlin noted.
Among the county’s conditions for burial, provided on the county’s website:
• “All grave markers placed in the cemetery must be the flat bronze markers 24 inches by 12 inches by ¾ inch rise, and will be positioned flat to the ground. Markers are provided for the veteran at no charge by the Veterans Administration. Spousal and non-veteran markers are required, are available from monument dealers, are at the expense of the family, and must be the same flat bronze type of that of the veteran.”
Should a veteran’s spouse be cremated and his or her remains buried in the same grave, the veteran’s bronze marker, will be returned to the Veterans Administration to be remade to include the spouse’s data for a charge of $119.26.
If a spouse is buried in a separate grave next to the veteran, the retail price for a bronze marker may be $800 or more, said Charles Adelizzi, county veterans’ interment officer.
• “While the grave site is given to the veteran at no cost, all expenses incurred in the opening and closing of the graves are the family’s responsibility, and are to be paid from the veteran’s estate to the undertaker handling the funeral services. The grave site for a coffin will be four feet by 10 feet. The grave site for cremations will be four feet by four and a half feet for up to two cremains.
• Concrete or granite vaults or cases are required for casket burials. Concrete or granite vaults will also be required for biodegradable cremain urns.
There are additional regulations regarding placement of bronze recessed flower cups and fresh flowers from April 1 to Nov. 1, and artificial flowers from Nov. 1 to April 1.
Contact Campbell at (609) 886-8600 Ext 28 or at: al.c@cmcherald.com