The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing awarded $73,846 in grants today to 45 Ohio cemeteries through the 2021 Cemetery Grant Fund.

Cemeteries receiving funding from this grant in the Valley included five cemeteries, including two in Mahoning and three in Trumbull County. The Valley will receive a third of all the funds,$25,069 out of $75,000 awarded, which is available for restorations and improvements.

The cemeteries which will benefit from the funds include:

  • Archangel Michael Greek Orthodox Cemetery, Campbell, will receive $19,569 for paving a gravel road and installation of a catch basin for collecting storm water run off.
  • Dean Hill Cemetery, 7421 N. Palmyra Rd., Canfield, repair and reset headstones, $1,000
  • Hillside Cemetery, Farmington Township, repair and reset headstones, $2,500
  • Hartford Township Center Cemetery, Hartford Township, Trumbull Co., repair chapel, $1,000
  • Braceville Cemetery, Braceville Township, removal of trees, $1,000

“We are grateful for the opportunity to provide much-needed funding to our registered cemeteries,” said Ohio Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing Superintendent Anne Petit. “The funds from the Cemetery Grant will allow cemeteries to make improvements, such as landscaping, restoring archways, replacing signs, and repairing fencing. These types of enhancements can improve the experience for visitors during what is typically a difficult time.”

The Division received 64 applications, totaling more than $100,000 in funding requests, for FY 2021, which runs July 1, 2020 through June 30, 2021.

The Cemetery Grant Fund, which was signed into law as House Bill 168, became effective Oct. 29, 2018. The funds are to be used for exceptional maintenance of cemetery grounds or training for cemetery personnel.
Any registered, non-profit cemetery may apply for the grant, which is funded by $1 of every burial permit fee received by the Division. Cemeteries that applied and did not receive funding this year are encouraged to apply again next year.
Grants were awarded this year to cemeteries in 32 Ohio counties.