History and Rules of the Bethany Lutheran Cemetery
The church bought this parcel of farmland from member Henry Hanson on January 27, 1899 for $25.00.
Previous to this date members of Bethany who died were interred at Blossomburg Cemetery in what is now Peninsula State Park (not a park at that time) or in the newly dedicated Ephraim Moravian Cemetery, and a few on private family grounds. The latter were removed to Bethany’s cemetery many years later. Bethany Church was established in 1883. At that time many original members had homes in what is now the Peninsula State Park.
Topography is known to be mainly layers of limestone, in some places too close to the surface to be useable.
The provisions or restriction drawn up by the congregation in March, 1986, regarding allowance for burial in this privately owned and maintained cemetery are a more recent update on what was originally decided and not recorded, though known to all members. Originally upkeep was done as volunteer work by the men of the congregation and whoever had loved ones therein and wished to assist. Since it has become necessary to hire for all maintenance, a fee for a site was set in 1986.
The concrete frame on the far north side toward the fence and golf course does not mark a grave.
Non-Member Cost of a Site is $800.00 per site.
Each site may hold one (1) body or two (2) cremains
Sites cannot be sold by purchaser to another person.
A member/s can receive a full refund at the same price they paid.
Sites can be inherited.
If a purchased site cannot be dug due to rocks or tree roots or any other possibility, the owner will choose any other available site.
Site owner is responsible for all costs of digging the grave.
Before burial, contact must be made to Lutheran@bethanyephraim.org
If we do not have a copy of the deed on file, one needs to be provided to us before burial. No burial can occur without a deed.
All headstones west of the driveway face east, all headstones east of the driveway face west.