Cemetery Planning and Design Solutions

Cemeteries are considered “forever” installations and the use of quality materials which are well designed and which are appropriate for the setting helps to ensure long term stability and quality of the environment. Often the highest quality materials are also the costliest. The LA Group strives to work with all clients to understand project goals and budget. Evaluation of alternatives or differing approaches is a key step in ensuring the best installation while staying within realistic budgetary limits.

The LA Group understands community or volunteer groups often have limited resources in restoring a historic cemetery and often have large maintenance issues at a site. The firm also recognizes there is often a large amount of enthusiasm and interest in seeing an important part of the community restored and honored. Master planning can include not only the analysis and design of physical improvements and expansions, but also assessment and recommendations of the financial situation, opportunities and ideas for fund generation and project implementation. Involvement of the community for financial support, generating visitor interest in the history of the cemetery, grant funding opportunities and volunteer development are all avenues The LA Group can help a municipality explore.

Incorporating sustainability into cemetery designs is an exciting opportunity. Traditionally, cemeteries have some very unsustainable parts, including irrigation from potable water sources, extensive use of land for burials, and expectations for manicured lawn throughout. For the Riverside Cemetery in Rochester NY, a green burial section was incorporated. This burial section is set into a wooded area, retaining native vegetation and topography. Burials are placed amongst the trees and include use of shrouds in lieu of caskets. Excavation for each burial is reduced. Not only does this burial type provide for a reduced impact on the land and decreased maintenance, it also is a less costly burial option, meeting the city’s goal of providing burial options for all income levels.

Respecting a treasured site while helping a cemetery meet contemporary needs and position itself for a healthy future is a key focus of approaching a historic cemetery. As part of the assessment of the natural and physical components of each site, The LA Group also studies the historic background. Historic context can provide opportunities to showcase the uniqueness of the cemetery. Like many historic cemeteries, Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY needed to find a way to provide new burial space while respecting its design as America’s first municipal Victorian cemetery. One of the concepts The LA Group developed included design of a scattering garden and public ossuary in a decommissioned roadway. This space efficient concept provided maximum burial which fit seamlessly into the fabric of the historic cemetery.

Municipal and private cemeteries often struggle with sufficient funding for ongoing maintenance and operations. Sale of burial plots is one revenue stream. The LA Group can assist by including a financial assessment of proposed burial expansion concepts. This assessment includes the cost of construction for various burial types compared to projected sales of the plots. An assessment often includes review of the current cemetery plot prices in comparison to regional pricing and market projections for desired burial types. By providing varied burial options, the cemetery has an opportunity to increase use of the cemetery and attract new customers.