Serving on a cemetery committee might seem like a dead issue, but there is plenty happening in Norfolk’s burial grounds.
In a pet-loving nation, some residents want the ashes of their animals interred with them. First Selectman Henry Tirrell reported at a recent meeting of the Norfolk Cemetery Committee that he investigated the matter and learned that there is no law that prohibits or specifically allows pet ashes to be added to a human burial.
The members agreed that pet ashes can be included at the time of burial if they fit in an urn that does not exceed the size of the 18-inches-square plot.
Tirrell also reported that the driveway serving the rear portion of South Norfolk Cemetery has been staked out in preparation for construction of a drive using millings from road work done by the town crew. The work is expected to be done in the fall.
The committee discussed at length whether to use packed dirt and gravel for the drive or the millings. Members thought a gravel drive would have looked more natural but might present problems with mud and grass growing through it.
Other improvements at the South Norfolk Cemetery call for installation of 11 granite posts and connecting chains, and the repair of broken and leaning stones in it and the Pond Town and Grantville cemeteries.
Tirrell has reached out to State Senator Paul Honig seeking funding to help with repairing veterans’ headstones. Discussion touched on how to locate unmarked graves. Honoring veterans was on the committee members’ mind as they talked about developing a list of their graves so they can be marked with flags and grave markers. Sand Evans said she developed a list last Christmas when the Lions Club undertook a Wreaths Across America effort, eventually decorating 250 graves.