Our visitor’s safety is our number one priority.
Insurance and safety concerns dictate that non-employees be kept back from open, unprotected excavations as well as lifts, equipment and machinery. As a matter of procedure, Gethsemane Cemetery does not lower the casket nor place it in the crypt space while family and friends are still at the burial location.
We do understand however, that witnessing the interment or entombment procedure may aid in the grieving process for some. If someone in the immediate family wishes to witness the interment or entombment procedure, our staff is instructed to lower the casket only after the family has returned to their vehicles. Once the family has left the grave site, the casket will be lowered into the ground and the staff will wait until the family departs the cemetery to remove the set up equipment and install the vault lid if applicable. A similar procedure is in place for mausoleum entombments as well.
Please feel free to discuss this at the Immediate Need Conference and we will accommodate your request in any way possible. Please Contact Us if you have additional questions.