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Council pledges help to clarify ownership and maintenance of West Crowley Cemetery
Summary
Council discussed the condition and ownership confusion at West Crowley Cemetery and agreed to work with the Louisiana Cemetery Board and local volunteers to regularize registration and maintenance; the mayor and staff will meet with the association to assist compliance.
Council members flagged long‑running problems at West Crowley Cemetery, including unclear ownership, declining volunteer capacity and inconsistent maintenance.
Mayor Chad Munso told the council he had contacted the Louisiana Cemetery Board after learning the cemetery was not registered with that state agency. He described a meeting this week with council members and the association representative to clarify registration and options for an "abandoned cemetery" process if the original association no longer exists. The mayor said some graves are more than 100 years old, records are sparse, and a handful of plots have broken or exposed markers.
Alderman Willridge and Alderman Morton recounted volunteer work and recent beautification efforts along West Hutchinson Avenue while council emphasized the need for procedural compliance with state rules. The Louisiana Cemetery Board representative told staff most attorneys are unfamiliar with cemetery law, the mayor said, so the city will assist the local association through the registration and compliance steps, which the mayor estimated would cost about $700 annually for registration.
Council members said they want to relieve the long‑time volunteer who has been personally collecting burial fees and contracting lawn care, and explore whether the city can adjudicate or otherwise acquire parcels if necessary to ensure ongoing maintenance and public access.
Next steps: the mayor and council members will meet with the West Crowley representative and the Louisiana Cemetery Board to pursue registration options and clarify whether the city should seek adjudication or other remedies to secure care for the site.
