This is a deal that doesn’t come along very often: you can buy your very own pioneer cemetery in the heart of Centralia’s Fords Prairie, and it could cost you as little as $2,000 plus some state licensing.
Lewis County government is selling the 28-acre Mountain View Cemetery at auction. It foreclosed on the property for overdue property taxes last year. After monumental efforts and countless volunteer hours, the once-decrepit graveyard is in much better condition and it’s on the market. Bids are being accepted through 3 p.m. on Friday, May 3.
A few thousand dollars for 28 acres seems like a great price, but it comes with a lot of responsibilities, too. Ownership requires stewardship of thousands of graves dating back to the 19th century.
Among the many eternal residents of Mountain View Cemetery are my great-grandparents, Charlie and Elsie Mittge, along with other ancestors and esteemed ancient relations of mine and perhaps yours.
I remember visiting the cemetery with my grandpa a quarter century ago as he came to pay homage to his parents. It was a special moment to connect with him and with people I never met, but whose memories could live again as we walked among their headstones.
When I posted to Facebook about this unique property sale, I heard questions from friends about cemetery ownership. For answers I reached out to the Washington Department of Licensing, which provides the cemetery certificate of authority that is required before a new owner can close on the purchase.
My first question for the Department of Licensing was about the financial responsibility of owing a cemetery.
Thomas Charlson, a spokesperson for the DOL, said there are some fees and requirements to obtain a cemetery license. You’re looking at about $400 plus another $400 or so if you want to offer prearrangement funeral packages.
Cemeteries must also maintain a $25,000 endowment care trust fund account. Renewal fees are based on the number of burials, internments, and inurnments.
Cemetery owners also have ongoing costs for staffing and maintaining the grounds, complying with other possible municipal regulatory agencies, repairing damaged grave markers and keeping clerical records and accounting.
A friend of mine wondered if there was a way to make money from a pioneer cemetery. Not to be crass, but with all the costs associated with upkeep, is there the potential for profit?
“Profits for cemeteries depend on the management of the cemetery,” Charlson said. “Cemeteries that have an active prearrangement sales program tend to generate more revenue. However, due to the high rate of cremation in Washington state, which is about 85%, cemeteries are often overlooked by consumers.”
Building an above-ground mausoleum for containing cremated remains would be one way to gain revenue for upkeep.
“Or fundraising events like outdoor movie nights and haunted cemetery during Halloween,” he suggested. “Regarding cemetery events, some cemeteries have collaborated with local drama clubs to tell the stories of the most notable residents buried there. The drama clubs will put on a performance for the public.”
Interesting ideas for a unique property.
There’s a lot of good history in that graveyard — and just maybe, a good future for someone too.
•••
Speaking of building a life in a cemetery, it turns out that there is another pioneer cemetery for sale in the Twin Cities. In my next column we’ll talk to John and Marie Panesko, who have dedicated decades to restoring their cemetery on the hill above 20th Street in Chehalis. Now they are looking for the right buyers to take over their stewardship of a piece of Lewis County history.
I’ll see you back here with all the details.
Brian Mittge can be reached at brianmittge@hotmail.com.
