Guidelines for Preservation Planning for Historic Burial Grounds and Cemeteries

History > Cemetery Recordation and Preservation > Guidelines for Preservation Planning for Historic Burial Grounds and Cemeteries > Priority Levels

Priority Levels

HIGH - correct within a year

Focus: Public safety; structural and landscape stability; protection of significant features

Remove litter, debris, graffiti
Remove weeds, ivy, volunteer trees, fallen trees
Prune overgrown bushes, plants
Refill sink holes, depressions, eroded areas, drainage
Repair primary roads and paths
Secure fencing, gates, steps
Secure mausoleums, crypts, box markers to prevent entry by people or animals
Label and remove pieces of broken markers for later repairs
Install lighting against vandalism

Tree grown around fence.	Volunteers clean and repair cradle grave.
Tree with headstone embedded in trunk.	Wall and markers damaged by fallen branch.

MEDIUM - correct within five years

Focus: Security issues; repairs to prevent accelerated deterioration; repairs to enhance appearance, accessibility, or circulation; interpretation begins

Lawn and planting rehabilitation

Cyclical tree pruning

Repair secondary roads and paths

Building repairs or rehabilitation

Resetting or repinning critical fallen grave markers

Cradle grave in need of repair.	Monument toppled by fallen tree.
Finial threathened by growing tree branches.	Finial collapses over from tree branch.

LOW - delay up to five years

Focus: Cosmetic repairs or additions to the landscape or buildings; repairs or cleaning of critical monuments; reopen tertiary roads or paths; signage and advanced interpretation

Restore or replace missing elements of the landscape or cemetery features

Repair critical broken monuments, mausoleums, or walls

Continue to improve interpretation with brochure, map, web site

Address cosmetic wall maintenance
Cosmetic fence repair and maintenance

Sinage for awareness, marketing and interpretation
Public tour groups