A Commitment That Lasts Forever
When you choose Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum (BCA) as a final resting place, you are investing in a future where the beauty, history, and sanctity of the grounds are assured in perpetuity. This long-term commitment is secured by our status as both a nonprofit organization and a dedicated Endowed Care Cemetery with a significant, independently managed endowment.
Understanding Perpetual Care (Endowed Care)
Perpetual Care, also referred to as "Endowed Care," is a critical financial and legal agreement designed to ensure the cemetery is maintained forever, long after all burial property has been sold.
State-Regulated Trust Fund
Bellefontaine is certified as an Endowed Care cemetery—a designation held by less than 10% of Missouri cemeteries. This status requires us to set aside a minimum portion of every property purchase (e.g., 15% of graves and 10% of niches/mausoleums) into a state-regulated trust fund.
One-Time Payment
At the moment of purchase, these endowment funds are secured through a one-time payment, which is then carefully placed into a trust designed to manage and grow the funds over time.
Perpetuity Assurance
The funds are legally protected, audited periodically by the state, and dedicated solely to the basic, continuous upkeep of the grounds in perpetuity, including mowing, road maintenance, and general grounds care.
BCA's Dual Endowment
Bellefontaine maintains the legally required Endowed Care Fund and a larger, independent endowment. This dual structure provides additional long-term financial stability to ensure the pristine condition of our historic monuments, Arboretum, and buildings.
The Role of the Independent Endowment
Basic Endowed Care covers routine maintenance, but the pristine condition of BCA—the maintenance of our historic monuments, the care of our Arboretum, and the protection of our roads and buildings—is supported by our large, independently managed endowment.
- Nonprofit Mission: As a nonprofit, our mission is exclusively dedicated to preserving and protecting the cemetery, its history, and its landscape. All funds, including those from our endowment, are reinvested into the property's care.
- Expert Oversight: Our endowment spending decisions are overseen by our Board and audited annually, ensuring responsible stewardship of the funds necessary to maintain the Cemetery's standards of excellence for centuries to come.
Cemetery and Lot Owner Obligations
When purchasing property at Bellefontaine, it is important to understand the obligations of both the Cemetery and the lot owner.
Cemetery's Obligation (Perpetual Care)
To provide basic upkeep of the entire grounds, including mowing grass, clearing roads, and ensuring overall structural integrity. This is covered by the endowment.
Cemetery Property Purchase
You are purchasing a Right of Interment (a perpetual lease for use), not ownership of the land itself. This is spelled out in the purchase contract.
Owner's Obligation (Monuments & Markers)
The owner is responsible for the ongoing maintenance, cleaning, and repair of any purchased marker or monument.
Enhanced Care Options
Bellefontaine offers special or enhanced care contracts, which can cover monument cleaning, monument repair, and special grave landscaping services like our Perennial Planting Program. We encourage families to plan for this future care.
Enhanced Care and Monument Maintenance
Just as Bellefontaine takes pride in maintaining the grounds, many families take pride—and comfort—in caring for their family's memorials over the years. The Perpetual Care included in your property purchase covers only a portion of the long-term cost of maintaining the grounds (basic lawn care and road maintenance).
Bellefontaine offers families the option of setting aside additional funds up front for special maintenance of their lots over time (known as Enhanced or Special Care), including:
- Care of family-owned monuments.
- Specialized landscaping or planting services.
Alternatively, we can provide these services upon request on a case-by-case basis.
Monument Cleaning and Restoration
Every family monument is part of the Bellefontaine history and, as such, is treated with great care. Depending on the type of stone, weather, and light exposure, cleaning may be needed every five to 20 years. We have many years of experience with cleaning and restoration, use methods that avoid harsh chemicals, and provide necessary services at a reasonable cost. We recommend families consider this long-term care upon initial purchase.
Perpetual Care in Natural Areas
The term "basic maintenance" as defined by Perpetual Care is specifically customized to address the diverse needs of each distinct area within the Cemetery. In the more traditional sections, this generally involves routine tasks such as mowing the lawns, trimming the hedges, and maintaining the roadways to ensure a tidy and welcoming environment for visitors. However, when it comes to our natural areas, including the serene Evergreen Meadow and our thoughtfully designed cremation gardens, the principles of Perpetual Care take on a different form. In these unique spaces, maintenance is conducted in harmony with the ecological design that underpins them, focusing on the preservation and enhancement of the natural landscape. This approach not only safeguards the native plant species and wildlife but also fosters a tranquil atmosphere that reflects the beauty of nature.
Our commitment to ecological stewardship means that these areas are carefully monitored and managed to ensure they thrive as intended, allowing visitors to experience the peacefulness and serenity that nature provides. If you are curious to learn more about the specific practices and philosophies behind Perpetual Care in our natural areas, we invite you to connect with our knowledgeable services team. They will be more than happy to provide you with an in-depth Horticulture update, sharing insights into our ongoing efforts to maintain and nurture these beautiful spaces for future generations to enjoy.
Perpetual Care in Natural Areas
The term "basic maintenance" as defined by Perpetual Care is specifically customized to address the diverse needs of each distinct area within the Cemetery. In the more traditional sections, this generally involves routine tasks such as mowing the lawns, trimming the hedges, and maintaining the roadways to ensure a tidy and welcoming environment for visitors. However, when it comes to our natural areas, including the serene Evergreen Meadow and our thoughtfully designed cremation gardens, the principles of Perpetual Care take on a different form. In these unique spaces, maintenance is conducted in harmony with the ecological design that underpins them, focusing on the preservation and enhancement of the natural landscape. This approach not only safeguards the native plant species and wildlife but also fosters a tranquil atmosphere that reflects the beauty of nature.
Our commitment to ecological stewardship means that these areas are carefully monitored and managed to ensure they thrive as intended, allowing visitors to experience the peacefulness and serenity that nature provides. If you are curious to learn more about the specific practices and philosophies behind Perpetual Care in our natural areas, we invite you to connect with our knowledgeable services team. They will be more than happy to provide you with an in-depth Horticulture update, sharing insights into our ongoing efforts to maintain and nurture these beautiful spaces for future generations to enjoy.
Perpetual Care in Natural Areas
The term "basic maintenance" as defined by Perpetual Care is specifically customized to address the diverse needs of each distinct area within the Cemetery. In the more traditional sections, this generally involves routine tasks such as mowing the lawns, trimming the hedges, and maintaining the roadways to ensure a tidy and welcoming environment for visitors. However, when it comes to our natural areas, including the serene Evergreen Meadow and our thoughtfully designed cremation gardens, the principles of Perpetual Care take on a different form. In these unique spaces, maintenance is conducted in harmony with the ecological design that underpins them, focusing on the preservation and enhancement of the natural landscape. This approach not only safeguards the native plant species and wildlife but also fosters a tranquil atmosphere that reflects the beauty of nature.
Our commitment to ecological stewardship means that these areas are carefully monitored and managed to ensure they thrive as intended, allowing visitors to experience the peacefulness and serenity that nature provides. If you are curious to learn more about the specific practices and philosophies behind Perpetual Care in our natural areas, we invite you to connect with our knowledgeable services team. They will be more than happy to provide you with an in-depth Horticulture update, sharing insights into our ongoing efforts to maintain and nurture these beautiful spaces for future generations to enjoy.
The Bellefontaine Assurance
Choosing Bellefontaine means partnering with an institution committed to its long-term existence. Our substantial endowments, nonprofit mission, and meticulous record-keeping systems (including sophisticated software for digital records and family information) mean you never have to worry about the future upkeep of your loved one’s final resting place.
