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Written by John Ellingsworth
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Wednesday, 07 July 2004 |
There was recently a story on NBC 10 regarding Mount Moriah. Someone sent me the text of the newscast and I have posted it below.
Fallen Tombstones, Waist-High Weeds Found In Historic Cemetery from NBC 10
PHILADELPHIA -- The cemetery is the final destination for many people -- a place of a dignified eternal rest for the dearly departed. But the NBC 10 investigators looked at one historic, local cemetery with tombstone troubles where conditions are so bad that you might need a machete to visit your loved one.
At Mt. Moriah Cemetery in southwest Philadelphia there are fallen tombstones, waist-high weeds and a burned-out car. Jeannette Gore thinks it's a disgrace.
"I don't think there's any excuse at all. I mean, the money was paid, how much does a lawnmower cost? Excuse me, there's a lot of people out of work that could use jobs mowing," Gore said.
Gore's mother-in-law is buried in Mt. Moriah. She and her husband paid for perpetual care at the cemetery, but they say when they complain, the cemetery personnel don't seem to care at all.
Mt. Moriah Cemetery has been around for hundreds of years and covers over 40 acres. In fact, Betsy Ross and her husband were buried there. When you look at the dates on many of the headstones, they date back to the early 1800s.
NBC 10 Investigators went to the office and couldn't get any answers. But minutes after the Investigators showed up at the cemetery, workers were out trying to hack down the weeds.
The Pennsylvania Cemetery And Funeral Association told the NBC 10 Investigators they're familiar with problems there. But they said management is trying to do the best they can despite the age of the cemetery and the condition of the surrounding neighborhood. They add that trash is constantly being dumped there and a backhoe was stolen right from the cemetery.
If you have a problem with a cemetery, first complain to the facility's office. The state's Real Estate Commission can also help with problems with cemetery upkeep, or you can complain to the Pennsylvania Cemetery and Funeral Association at (717) 236-9970, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Pennsylvania Department of State
International Cemetery and Funeral Association
Deleware Cemetery Inscription Search
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Last Updated ( Tuesday, 29 November 2005 )
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