MARIA BARRETT-CRUSE

Project Manager

With more than 25 years of experience in funeral service, Maria brings a deep appreciation for compassionate service, meaningful traditions, and preserving the stories of those who came before us to her role as Project Manager at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum.

After spending her career as a licensed funeral director, Maria welcomed the opportunity to join a place she had long admired. She had always hoped to work in a cemetery, and Bellefontaine—with its remarkable history, architecture, natural beauty, and distinction as a Level III Accredited Arboretum—felt like a natural next chapter. As Project Manager, she helps coordinate projects throughout the historic grounds, supporting the preservation, improvement, and thoughtful stewardship of the cemetery and arboretum.

Maria’s fascination with cemeteries began as a young Girl Scout, when her troop participated in grave rubbing—an experience that sparked a lifelong interest in historic cemeteries, monuments, and the stories they preserve.

Her favorite place at Bellefontaine is the labyrinth, which she appreciates as a quiet space for reflection. For Maria, the most rewarding part of her work is helping care for a place that brings together history, horticulture, art, architecture, and remembrance while preserving it for generations to come.