Historical Society invites board to Finley Cemetery marker dedication; county asked to find space for hundreds of unclaimed cremains

Connie Kubak Snowberg, a volunteer with the Historical Society of Gulfport, told the Harrison County Board of Supervisors that the society and Michael Switzer have secured a historical marker for Finley Cemetery and invited supervisors to a dedication on March 25, 2026, at 10 a.m.

"History is who we are and why we are the way we are," Kubak Snowberg said, describing several years of volunteer work to document and preserve the cemetery and surrounding community. She said the marker was secured through the Mississippi Department of Transportation at no cost to Harrison County and that Mr. Switzer donated costs for the dedication.

After the marker presentation, the group raised a separate operational issue: funeral homes and county staff reported roughly 300 unclaimed cremains in urns that need permanent placement. A speaker representing funeral homes estimated about 100 urns at one provider and similar counts at others, saying the firms can no longer store them and would like the county to identify space and a numbering system for future claims.

Board members and staff discussed possible options, including surveying county-owned plots to determine suitability and whether smaller, wall-style plots or a memorial wall could be established. County staff said they would review available county-owned cemetery land and coordinate a survey to document any proposed placement and to track claims.

The board did not take a final action at the meeting but asked staff to explore options, check existing plots, and report back. The Historical Society will hold the dedication on March 25 if scheduling and approvals proceed as requested.