Post Messenger Recorder -

The New Glarus Swiss Church Cemetery has been in existence over 150 years and is open to anyone, regardless of religious affiliation.

The cemetery is solely maintained by Swiss United Church of Christ.  Financing for the cemetery maintenance and required projects comes from the sale of plots and perpetual services.

Over the years, expenses have continued to increase but the Swiss Church Cemetery Committee has done its best to keep plot prices and service prices low and affordable to accommodate the needs of our community and its loved ones.  Reality is that the cemetery expenses are exceeding the revenue generated.

The church cemetery committee is hosting this golf event to raise funds to address increasing costs as the cemetery ages and expands.  Your support of this event will help with maintenance of equipment (mowers, trimmers etc.), snow removal cost, funeral preparation, preserve older headstones and maintain the beauty and safety of this cherished landmark.

Your support will also contribute to the funding needed for future projects such as the additional driveway/road that will be required to accommodate the growth of the cemetery and the necessary access to reach all the areas of the property.

When the perpetual care fee is collected, state law prohibits spending the perpetual care revenue.  Instead, those perpetual care funds must be invested, and only the interest earned from the investment can be used by the cemetery. This would be a great strategy if the interest was enough to support the cost to maintain the cemetery property.

So sale of plots, burial fees, and perpetual care services alone are not enough to cover expenses. Last year, only 71% of the total expenses were covered by those sources of revenue. So the current situation brings us to find other ways to fund the upkeep and plan for the future.   

Please, consider sponsoring this community based event.  The event includes golf, food and raffle prizes!  If you are not a golfer or a business owner but still want to contribute:  Become a “Friend of the Cemetery” when you donate $25 or more; your generosity will be acknowledged in the event program.  Please contact the Swiss Church Office to sponsor, donate or register by calling (608) 527-2119.

The upkeep, preservation and tender care of these 10-acres of memorialized grounds needs the community it serves to ensure its sanctity for years to come.  Tax deductible donations are welcome and can be sent to:  Swiss UCC Cemetery, 18 5th Avenue, PO Box 97, New Glarus, WI 53574-0097.