Purchasing a grave space. When purchasing a grave space it is necessary to also purchase the perpetual care (the eternal care) for that grave space. Come into the Public Works Department in City Hall and meet with either Jennifer Murphy or Joyce Bornstedt to discuss vacant grave space locations. If you are out of town or unable to come into City Hall and you know the specific area in which you would like to purchase a grave space, you can contact Jennifer at (541) 524-2063 or Joyce at (541) 524-2046. Payment for grave purchases can be made over the phone.
Scheduling a burial. Contact Jennifer Murphy at (541) 524-2063 or Joyce Bornstedt at (541) 524-2046 in the Public Works Department to schedule a burial. A burial must be scheduled a minimum of two business days prior to the requested burial in order to avoid additional fees.
Installing a headstone. You must submit a monument permit application to the Public Works Department prior to installing a headstone in the Mt. Hope Cemetery. The permit fee is $50. This permit ensures that the headstone will be located on the correct grave space, that the headstone is the appropriate size for the grave space, while also providing staff with necessary information should anything happen to the headstone (it begins to sink/settle, etc.). Maintenance of headstones is the responsibility of the grave space owners and/or their family members. In 2010 a policy regarding placement of headstones in the Mt. Hope Cemetery was established. This policy outlines such things as height restrictions for headstones, headstone foundation requirements and the headstone installation procedure.
What's happening. Earlier this year citizens of Baker City came forward to express concerns they have regarding the condition of many of the headstones within the Veteran's Section. There are multiple headstones which are sunken and/or that have deteriorating headstone foundations. Maintenance of headstones is not included within the City's care of the cemetery grounds.
In August of this year a working group was created consisting of civic groups, volunteers and staff members. The goal of the working group is to improve the headstones within the Veteran's Section, replace the existing light which illuminates the American flag and trim the tree near the flag so that the flag does not become entangled in the tree when the flag is flown at half-staff. A Historic Cemeteries Grant was applied for in September to assist with the cost of leveling and repairing the headstones in the Veteran's Section. Although this project was not selected to receive grant assistance through the Oregon Commission on Historic Cemeteries this year, another grant opportunity will be available in the spring of 2012. In the meantime, members of the American Legion Post 41 and the Veterans of Foreign Wars will be heading up local fundraisers to fund the replacement of the flag's lighting.
Mt. Hope Cemetery
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