WILMINGTON, MA — 25 years. That’s how much longer the Wildwood Cemetery will be able to accommodate new burials according to Wilmington Department of Public Works Director Mike Woods.
As a result, Woods and the Cemetery Commission are in the process of formulating a plan that, when approved and implemented, will extend the life of the cemetery to well beyond its current 25-year forecast.
Some highlights from Woods’ recent presentation to the Board of Selectmen:
- Looking at 10-15 years of data, Wilmington buries around 153 people per year. 38% of these burials are cremations. Cremations have increased 11% over a 10-year span. Woods would not be surprised if, within 2 years, 50% of Wilmington burials involve cremations. Wilmington sells 32 lots per year. The Cemetery only has about 25 years of lots left for its general population. For veterans, Wilmington buries just 5 veterans per year. 70% of veterans are now opting for cremation. The cemetery has about 150 years worth of space left in the Veterans section.
- Woods is looking at columbariums to increase the capacity of the cemetery. Columbariums are granite drawers that urns are put in. Each drawer has its own section where 2 urns can be placed. “We can increase the years of the cemetery substantially with columbariums.” The Columbariums would be placed on land that couldn’t accommodate regular graves due to high water tables. The columbariums would accommodate up to 1,728 urns in 864 drawers. Woods would establish a revolving account, starting with a small columbarium and, once filled, use the funds generated from those sales to expand the structure.
- Woods is also looking at potentially adding a scatter garden to the cemetery. People could come down and scatter their loved one’s ashes at the cemetery in designated area with a natural garden, bench and monument.
Selectmen React
“We can take a little breather saying 25 years, but that’ll go by pretty quickly,” said Selectman Kevin Caira, who praised Woods and the Cemetery Commission for their efforts.
In response to a question from Caira regarding the town looking at abutting property, Woods agreed that if any land near the cemetery became available for purchase, the town would be interested if the price was right.
“25 years is going to be here before you know it,” cautioned Selectman Mike McCoy. McCoy suggested the Commission consider removing “a road or two” from the cemetery to create more burial space.
“We have informal plans to do just that,” added Woods. “If, in 10 to 15 years from now, we still haven’t acquired new land that’s suitable, that’s something we’d consider.”
“I hope, down the road, there’s other opportunities for the town to acquire property, even in other sections of the town,” said McCoy. “Maybe the town will have more than one cemetery? The town owns property off of Salem Street and other properties scattered around town. Lets face it, God is not making any more property.”
“My optimistic plan is that within 5-10 years, we’ll have a piece of land nearby that we can expand on,” said Woods, who also noted that with the increase in cremations, the addition of columbariums would also significant increase the cemetery’s stock.
McCoy then asked if the state would allow the town to fill in some of the wetlands around the Wildwood Cemetery, but Woods didn’t think that was likely.
Woods noted the town already filled in some wetlands on the site approximately 20 years ago and is only allowed to do so once by law. He did agree to look into the matter further.
Woods briefly discussed some of the cemetery’s rules and regulations. He noted signage has recently been put up regarding hours and no dogs allowed. He stressed that no planting are allowed and people are discouraged for placing valuable items on gravesites. Woods says cemetery theft and damage is minimal and not unlike any other cemetery.
Margaret McKenna, director of of Nichols Funeral Home, was in the audience and praised Woods’s proposal. She backed up the figure that 35%-45% of folks are opting for cremations and that number is not likely to decrease in the future. She knows of other cemeteries in the area that are beginning to utilize columbariums. She also supports the “scatter garden” idea.
“What’s being presented today will definitely buy Wildwood Cemetery many more years,” said McKenna.
“What I hear is a spirit and intention to do the very best that we can for the residents of Wilmington and those that have loved ones that want to be put to rest at Wildwood,” said Selectwoman Judy O’Connell at the conclusion of the presentation. “I’m hoping this will be the first of future discussions we can have together… as this will be an issue we are going to have to keep an eye on.”
Watch the discussion below, courtesy of Wilmington Community Television, beginning at 41:00 and lasting until 1:1:15.
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