Interment in Gethsemani Cemetery Requires 52-plus Operations

To the average individual, the interment services is merely the work of opening the interment space, or just digging a grave, whereas that is only one of 52 distinct operations included in the interment services as conducted at Gethsemani Cemetery.

So that the charge for the interment service and recording may be recognized by the most critical as fair and keeping with the operation of an economical and efficient cemetery and consistent with the giving of the type of service requested by lot owners, an effort has been made to list these 52 services.

When arranging for an interment, there can be no failure of service, no breaking down in equipment, no shortage of labor. No mater how severe or disagreeable the weather may be during the extreme heat of summer or the bitter cold of winter, during rain, sleet, or snow, this work must go on. It is hoped that a perusal of the 52 different operations will create a more enlightened understanding that the interment service is not just the opening of the grave but only one of 52 services.

In background are certain administrative expenses, which must not be forgotten. The figure, ultimately, is the setting of fees for cemetery services. They are depreciation, cost of repairs, maintenance of office buildings, equipment, furniture, service building, garage equipment, residence house, heat, light, telephone, insurance, printing, stationary, postage, grounds and public liability insurance.

Interment Operations

1. Discuss the order for interment funeral director of family.
2. Examine the record of lot owner to determine ownership.
3. Check permanent file for special instructions issued by lot owner or affidavits affecting the interment.
4. Make necessary phone calls and, if necessary, discuss future use of lot, location of interment, location of memorial, etc.
5. Prepare alphabetical card file and computerize for deceased.
6. Prepare interment card for the deceased.
7. Prepare order authorizing interment.
8. Record interment in interment register.
9. Make entry of the interment on the records of lot owners.
10. Record the interment in the lot owner's control file.
11. Check all papers in connection funeral.
12. Make entry on section map.
13. Prepare invoice in cash journal.
14. Prepare instructions to foreman for interment opening operations.
15. Prepare list of funerals daily for personnel.
16. Locate interment lot.
17. Lay out the exact boundaries of the interment space.
18. Location of interment space.
19. In winter, remove snow from roadway to permit funerals to reach gravesite.
20. Remove snow from grass, walks, from roadways to gravesite.
21. Deliver to interment site by truck; canvas and boards to protect surrounding lots, spades, shovels, picks, and bars, planks for installation of lowering device, power equipment and tools for breaking frozen ground, air compressor, dirt tailors, grave digging machine.
22. Excavate interment space.
23. Haul away 4 yards of dirt.
24. Dispose of excess dirt, level excess dirt area.
25. Deliver special equipment when needed.
26. Haul away such equipment.
27. Deliver tent, lowering device and casket placer, grass, rug, carpets, and runners.
28. Set up the equipment.
29. Give information to truck driver delivering vault and help with setting.
30. Superintendent routes all funerals for day so there is no conflict.
31. Attendant assists in carrying and arranging flowers.
32. Attendant leads funeral to proper lot location.
33. Attendant directs and aids pallbearers with casket.
34. Waiting time attendant, field workers.
35. Lower casket.
36. Direct cars from interment location after services.
37. Remove lowering device placer and stand, grass, rugs, and carpet.
38. Take down tent.
39. Fill in interment space.
40. Rearrange flowers after filling interment space.
41. Haul away the tent, lowering device, grasses, rugs, and runners.
42. Clean or dry out tent, lowering device, grasses, and runners.
43. Remove flowers, baskets, and wire frame (several days later).
44. Dispose of dead flowers, baskets, and wire frames.
45. Back fill grave with dirt 2 or 3 times after burial as needed for settling.
46. Resod or seed grave area.
47. Foreman supervises and checks entire service.
48. File affidavits and related papers.
49. Give location of interment to friends and relatives of the deceased forever after.
50. Keep separate records of interment for veterans.
51. Answer questions as to regulations.
52. Render any extra service that may be necessary.
53. CARE OF SAID INTERMENT UNTIL THE END OF TIME.