Family Burial Ground Renovation Project Q&A
Updated: Mar 4, 2023
It has been a busy week, calling around to companies in Parksley, Virginia (and the surrounding area), to request estimates for materials and services that can improve our family burial ground. While doing so, I gathered some background and cost-related information that I will share this week. Hopefully, we can use this info to learn more about our family landmarks while brainstorming time and cost-efficient ideas to achieve the goals of the Family Burial Ground Renovation Project. There is an old saying, "Give us the truth, that enables us to make sound decisions.” Based on the knowledge that's been shared with me, here are seven questions and answers that do just that.
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Question 1: What are the goals of the Family Burial Ground Renovation Project?
The goals of this project are to:
1. Install an aluminum fence around our family burial ground to keep out trespassers and trash dumpers (by summer 2023).
2. Clean up the site, level the land and hire a year-round maintenance company.
3. Replace temporary aluminum gravesite markers with headstones.
4. Clean and restore headstones, where needed.
Question 2: What is the address of our family burial ground?
The address of the churchyard property is 23522 Parks Street Parksley, VA 23421. However, the burial ground is comprised of four lots. Two lots were previously owned by the Fryars (see markers 23516 in above google map snapshot view), one lot was previously owned by the Parksley Masonic Lodge (see 23504 above), and our old church sat on one lot (see 23522 above). The location of the old garbage dumpsite is in between the old church (23522) and the road (white image above).
Question 3: How many feet of fencing are needed around the perimeter to enclose our family burial ground?
Approximately 770 feet of aluminum fencing is needed.
Warning: here is where I bore you with the details.
Twice the width plus twice the length = the perimeter.
2 x width (195 feet) + 2 x length (190 feet) = 770 feet of fence is needed.
Anderson Fence Company took official measurements on Monday, February 27, 2023.
Question 4: What fencing specifications were provided to the companies to determine the estimated cost? (See table chart below).
Question 5: How much were the estimates submitted by each company for the fence installation?
Five fence-installation companies were called. Two submitted estimates. Three others have yet to provide an estimate.
Hopefully I'll hear back from the three businesses this week. Based upon my research, the two quotes received appear to be in the highest and lowest range. (See Company breakdown table chart below).
Question 6: What were the estimates to clean up the site, level the land and hire a year-round maintenance company? An estimate submitted by a Parksley-based lawn maintenance company – A Step Above Lawn Care - came in at $5,500. Other lawn care service-providers will be called this week.
Question 7: What company have we done business with when replacing temporary aluminum gravesite markers or cleaning and restoring headstones? The Pocomoke Monument Company, located in Pocomoke, MD is the company that Cousin Eileen has always recommended. They do not have a website at this time (only Facebook page). Best way to get in contact with them is to give them a call (see number in image above). Prices will vary based on the headstone selected and the number of words engraved (approximately $2.50 per word). (See example of workmanship above).
There you have it Family, seven questions and answers to help you learn a little bit about our family landmarks and to bring you up to speed on where we are with the Family Burial Ground Project. Feel free to share your thoughts in the Comment Section below. And by all means let us know if you have contacts, "da hookups" or other recommendations that can help make the project more cost efficient.
Thanks to the family members who stopped by Ardola Village last week. Please fill out the Contact information form and continue to spread the word. A new post will be published each Sunday morning.
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