In the quaint town of Weld, Maine, a unique tradition brings together locals in a way that transcends the ordinary. At Mountain View Cemetery, plot owners are invited annually to a gathering at the home of the cemetery’s sexton. As the community says, it’s a chance to “get to know who you’ll spend eternity with.”
Gathering for Eternal Neighbors
Weld, a small town with a population of 376, hosts a distinctive annual event every late August. This gathering is not merely for wine sipping and indulging in baked brie but serves as an opportunity to meet future eternal neighbors. Grace Benninghoff reports on this unusual event.
Sean Minear, the sexton of Mountain View Cemetery, opens his living room to a lively crowd each year. Discussions revolve not around the usual topics like school or sports, but rather on the plots where attendees or their loved ones will eventually be laid to rest.
Community and Tradition
Sean Minear shares his experience: “Two sunken graves – found them with a mower. And they start sinking when you – so you goose the mower. One of them has gotten about 20…” This reflects the hands-on nature of maintaining the cemetery and the personal connection locals feel toward it.
The gathering is a cherished tradition for attendees like Todd Papalagis, who, along with his late wife, purchased plots three decades ago. Papalagis describes the event as a way “to socialize with one another and just get a chance to meet your neighbors through eternity.”
Varied Reasons for Plot Ownership
The demographics of plot owners at Mountain View are diverse, ranging from a 15-month-old to individuals in their 90s. Reasons for purchasing plots vary; some are drawn to the cemetery’s aesthetic, while others have family ties to the area. A plot for four costs $300 for Weld residents and $600 for non-residents.
The cemetery itself is picturesque, lined with maple trees and a white, split-rail fence, surrounded by wildflowers and ferns from the adjoining forest.
Visiting and Reflecting
Regular visits to the cemetery are common among plot owners. Annie Agan, for example, spends Sunday mornings at her future resting place, sipping coffee and journaling. She shares, “I study clouds ’cause I love to watercolor paint… I don’t even think about, this is where I’m going to be when I’m dead. It’s just there.”
Scott and Lisa Isherwood express their fondness for the view from their plot, echoing a sentiment shared by many attendees.
Comfort with Mortality
Despite the somber context, the event is marked by a light-hearted approach to mortality. “There’s a great big boulder which is my plot. But I’ll have a little plaque on it, and it’s going to say dirt to dirt,” says Agan with a laugh, confirming her plans for cremation.
Relaxed Burial Customs
Mountain View Cemetery stands out due to its relaxed burial rules. As Minear notes, families have the freedom to choose unique burial methods: “My grandfather is buried in his fishing tackle box. And my mother is buried in a cast-iron kettle that she grew flowers in. And my grandmother was buried in a basket, I believe.”
Whether it’s the relaxed guidelines, the community spirit, or the idyllic landscape, there’s an undeniable allure to Mountain View Cemetery for those who choose to make it their final resting place.
This article was originally written by www.npr.org
