Poor Cemetery Conditions Draw Concern

LAFAYETTE, La. (AP) — An overgrown cemetery in Lafayette is drawing criticism from family members of people buried there who say the cemetery's management needs to clean it up.

The Advertiser reports Gethsemane Gardens Cemetery has grass so high that it conceals some graves. Trash cans are overflowing, spilling out near tombstones. Broken bottles, abandoned teddy bears and weathered tributes litter the grounds.

Officials of the cemetery's manager, Gethsemane Church of God in Christ, say maintenance is paid for from burial fees.

But the church says upkeep is difficult because area residents trash the grounds.

The Louisiana Board of Cemeteries says Gethsemane is not a perpetual-care cemetery — meaning it is not required to pay for maintenance. Officials say it is up to family members of those buried there to police the grounds.