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Superintendent outlines burials, truck order, new grant-funded signage and repairs
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Summary
The superintendent reported January burial counts (Greenwood 4, Swan Lake 6), said a truck order is in place with expected delivery in about 180 days, and described a mayor's office community activation grant covering redesigned signage (installation targeted by March 15). She also flagged a recurring concrete pad problem at Serenity Mausoleum that will require repair and discussed future projects including fence painting and a proposed scatter garden.
Lauren, the cemetery superintendent, told the Michigan City Board of Cemetery Trustees on Feb. 12 that January recorded 10 burials across Greenwood and Swan Lake cemeteries (Greenwood: four full burials; Swan Lake: five full burials and one interment).
She said the board's 2025 financial report must be filed with city council next week and she had contacted the council president to learn whether an oral presentation is required. The superintendent reported that the city council previously approved a transfer of funds that allowed the cemetery to place an order for a new truck; “we're looking at about 180 days maximum to take receipt of that new truck,” she said.
Lauren described a community activation grant from the mayor's office that will cover redesigned cemetery signage. Reef Grama Arts produced the designs for all Greenwood entrances and smaller Swan Lake signage that include QR codes to give visitors directions; the superintendent said the signage work is intended to be completed by March 15. She said the base signage budget for earlier designs was about $2,000 and that total cost including entrance/exit signs is expected to come in under $3,000.
On facilities, Lauren reported a recurring freeze-thaw problem that has heaved the concrete pad in front of the Serenity Mausoleum entrance, repeatedly preventing the doors from opening to admit caskets. She said contractor Ryan Stimley had ground the pad back on multiple occasions and that Mr. Stanley recommended removing and repouring the pad tied into the underlying foundation with rebar to avoid future heaving. The superintendent said the repair could be costly and would be considered for this fiscal year depending on final estimates.
Looking ahead, the superintendent outlined future capital work the board is considering, including painting the Greenwood fence and other exterior building repairs; she estimated larger projects could cost in the $50,000'60,000 range and said the extension fund should be reserved for large-scale projects such as a columbarium or a scattering garden. She also reported that rehabilitating an auxiliary baby-land area freed up burial space and that the board may propose a scatter/ash garden and tribute wall as a lower-cost memorial option; trustees recalled earlier discussion of a pet cemetery as a potential revenue source within a longer-term master plan.
The board accepted the superintendent's report by voice vote. The superintendent said she would follow up about whether board representation is needed at the next city council meeting to file the trustees' annual financial report.
