GRAVE CONCERN
founding. The chapel is not used for services, but people can review burial records kept inside, or they can just sit and spend time here when the caretaker is on the property and the doors are opened.
“With the chapel we also spent probably $3,000 a year or two ago on cladding of the eves. We had the exterior cement work all repointed and sealed, which was another couple thousand dollars. And the roof, it's not leaking but we're watching it because it's going to need repairs, probably in the next two to three years,” Duncan says. “So that's an expense we have no money for at this point.”
The chapel windows will also eventually need to be replaced.
And the cemetery's tool shed has seen better days.
FINDING HELP
Blair Boudreau, another volunteer trustee, is hoping his experience with helping other groups apply for grants can help the cemetery with its situation. Given that the cemetery is a registered heritage site and because of its historic significance to the region and province, Boudreau has been having discussions with the provincial Department of Communities, Culture and Heritage on potential application opportunities. He's also been looking into federal funding possibilities. There's even been talk of selling miniature replicas of the Marble Lady monument if the family connected to the memorial was not opposed.
The cemetery is also turning to the public for support, posting about its situation on its Chebogue Cemetery Facebook page to let people how they can help through donations.
The cemetery trustees say it would also be great if someone set up a Friends of the Chebogue Cemetery group that could assist with fundraising.
It is also important, the trustees say, to have a succession plan in place. No one involved with the cemetery is getting any younger, they point out.
Still, they trudge on because their love of this cemetery is endless too.
“People have put benches in there and they go sit. One lady who lost her husband a few years back used to just go there and sit and read. It's so peaceful,” says Duncan. “When you see a cemetery or a property that's taken care of, and it looks nice, you just assume that there's funds there to do it. But we have just scraped by and this year was our absolute worst as far as funding is concerned.”
CAN YOU HELP?
For many years the Chebogue Cemetery has been registered as a charitable organization, which allows it to write official tax receipts for donations received. All donations are used toward maintenance of the cemetery property, grounds and buildings.
If you are able to help cheques can be written and mailed to:
Chebogue Cemetery Company, 402 Chebogue Point Rd., Chebogue Point, NS, B5A 5E8.
Also visit the Chebogue Cemetery Facebook page for more information on how to donate and about upcoming fundraisers.