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How to start a church cemetery??

Discussion in '2005 Archive' started by Bro. James Reed, Jul 1, 2005.

  1. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    Is there anyone here who knows anything about Texas Law in regards to a church designating part of its land to start a cemetery?

    It's not in city limits, so we won't have to contend with that.

    The thing is, we are looking for land in the county to build a new church and we would like to have enough to set aside part for use as a cemetery, but we don't really know anything about doing that with modern laws and such.

    Thanks for any help.

    Bro. James

    (edited title to help get responses)

    [ July 01, 2005, 09:59 AM: Message edited by: dianetavegia ]
     
  2. Jim1999

    Jim1999 <img src =/Jim1999.jpg>

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    James, I would think your county office would be a good place to start. They should have all the regulations regarding land use.

    Cheers,

    Jim
     
  3. Friend of God

    Friend of God Active Member
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    James, You might want to contact the State. Most states have boards that regulate Cemeteries. You might be able to get their address by contacting a local funeral home.

    Rob
     
  4. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    I thought this was a 'joke thread' and I was going to say.... 'First, find a dead body'. [​IMG]
     
  5. hillclimber

    hillclimber New Member

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    Me too Diane, I was going to say,

    Have the preacher run over an hour each service. That'll kill it, making a cemetery necessary.
     
  6. exscentric

    exscentric Well-Known Member
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    Be sure to plan on a tall fence fer the thing, people will be dieing to get in!
     
  7. rsr

    rsr <b> 7,000 posts club</b>
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  8. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    [​IMG]
    Since everything is bigger in Texas... allow extra space and get a really big limo for the families.
    [​IMG]
    Click to make Texas size
     
  9. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    Not meaning any disrespect to anyone---but I believe that cemetaries are a "bad move" for churches----If it were my choice----I would vote not to have one----when I consider the situation of the original poster. I don't know where churches "get off" on the idea that they must have a cemetary! And then those who do include the cemetary believe that the dead must be buried "right up next" to the building!!!

    However---if the church MUST have its way----and I knew that---say---we finally purchased 20 acres out in the rural "sticks" for a church "plant"(facility) and a place to "plant" dead people---I would plan on having the two seperated by about 18 acres of grass and trees! Know what I mean?????

    Put it to ya this way-----If my 20 acres were "squared"----I'd have the cemetary planned to the extreme back side of the acreage---I would constitute somehow---that the cemetary was limited to a 2 acre plot---and when its full---its full---no expansion toward the building----

    I've known lots of churches who---when they needed to build and expand their facility---could not---because the cemetary was "parked" right next to the church----locking out any sort of new consideration.

    Then again---I've known churches----who consider relocating from their current location---and that location includes a cemetary-----some will cry "foul" about relocation---because "Maw-Maw" is buried at the old site---and they just can't "bear" to "leave" her there!!!! True!!!

    Then---I know churches who----over the years----have acquired vast---and I mean, VAST wealth into their "Cemetary" coffers----that can't be "touched"----tens and hundreds of thousands of $$$$$$'s that----not one dime can be spent on evangelism of the lost or on missions nor on bread to feed the hungry!!! Church cemetaries that have hundreds of thousands of dollars locked up in CD's----whats the use????? My soul and body---what a waste of government paper!!!

    I would not---and I repeat---would not incorporate the cemetary SEPERATE from the church----the cemetary would be under the same Incorporation as the the rest of the church! First thing you know---the Cemetary Incorporation has a bunch of "Community" people on their little committee----No way, Hosea!!!!!

    Thats just a few of my "Cemetary" Pet Peeves!!!!

    Bro. David
     
  10. Bro. James Reed

    Bro. James Reed New Member

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    Come one Bro. David, tell us how you really feel.

    The reason for wanting this is because we are expanding to larger facilities and land and because there is no Primitive Baptist Cemetery within 100 miles of Houston.

    We have no delusions that we will ever outgrow the building that we are planning. The thing with Primitive Baptists is, if there gets to be over about 100 members in a church, some of the members will organize a new church in the area. It keeps our congregations to about 50 or so and makes it a much more close knit group of believers.

    Aside from that, when I die I want to be buried in my hometown and cemeteries around here are way too expensive. It would be nice to have a place near where I can put my parents and tend to their graves easily.

    My grandfather is buried in a small town about 180 miles from here and we rarely get to go and visit the gravesite.

    It would be so convenient to have a cemetery next to the church.

    BTW, thank you to everyone for your help. I've got a pretty good idea about the ins and outs now.
     
  11. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    Cemeteries are depressing! They're full of dead people! [​IMG]
     
  12. padredurand

    padredurand Well-Known Member
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    madre is having me cremated and my ashes put in a hour glass. Then every Sunday morning she'll give me a flip and let me run for an hour. Puts a new spin an the adage "old preachers never die...."

    Pastored a church with one of those backyard cemeteries. Biggest problem we had was folks identified themselves better with the cemetery than the Risen Christ.
     
  13. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    When I die I want to be cremated and have my ashes put in a can of white paint. I've instructed Jim to paint our bedroom ceiling with it! He'll NEVER remarry. ;)
     
  14. gb93433

    gb93433 Active Member
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    There is a lot that can be learned from dead people. Some lived and died as though they never lived. Some of those bones remind people of how they should live and who they need to live for.
     
  15. dianetavegia

    dianetavegia Guest

    When our Jon (28) was tiny, he made me promise if he died I'd never put him in a Gravy Yard.
     
  16. blackbird

    blackbird Active Member

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    Bro. James---I'm not "knockin'" cemeteries---just the poor planning of them---I know that sooner or later---barring the Rapture---that I'm gonna "lay down" in one one day---rather--I'll make my departure to the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ and my flesh will be layed down to turn to dust---but on Resurrection Day----the Lord Jesus will come and speak to my dust and I will find myself "complete" in Him!!

    Naw---I'm not knockin' cemeteries----every church I've pastored has had one---some with moderate planning by somebody's "forefather"---and unfortunetly---some with sloppy planning! All I'm saying is----make sure you give it some thought---and if I were the one "thinkin'"---I wouldn't personally want a cemetary at church---but thats just me!!!
     
  17. Pete

    Pete New Member

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    How to start a church cemetery??

    In some cases it's just a change of a sign... :eek: :rolleyes: [​IMG] :D
     
  18. Hardsheller

    Hardsheller Active Member
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    Is nothing Sacred anymore?

    It ought to be a law:

    That no cemetery can be left untended and un-Maintained.

    I have run across too many private cemetaries that have been desecrated and ruined by people, cows, and urban sprawl with the graves of Revolutionary and Civil War Soldiers forever lost and abandoned.

    A visit to Arlington National Cemetary close to the Nation's Capital will change your mind about Cemetaries.

    I used to think I wanted to be cremated and have my ashes scattered in the Rocky Mountains. The older I get the more inclined I am to "rest" neath the oaks in the Family Plot in Georgia.
     
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