cemetery preservation

high risk- abandoned/family/slave

Small cemeteries such as family or historic graveyards are at the highest risk of being damaged or lost. Many pioneer families buried loved ones on private farms and as the landscape of the county changes and development becomes more widespread, these sites are at high risk or being destroyed or lost. Included in this group are African American cemeteries. Abandoned Black churches and enslaved cemeteries are high priority for preservation and documentation.

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moderate risk- churches

Cemeteries associated with churches are at moderate risk. Large churches typically have larger cemeteries and are therefore better protected. Small churches or cemeteries associated with inactive or abandoned churches are at higher risk of damage or being lost.

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low risk- public/municipal

Publicly maintained cemeteries such as memorial gardens and city cemeteries are very large and at much lower risk of vandalism or being lost. Individual cities are responsible for their care, but families are responsible for repair and maintenance of grave markers.