A local historical society says it will do what it can to help Homestead Cemetery keep its gates open in the face of a pending bankruptcy but said it is not in the position to offer direct financial aid.

Directors of the nonprofit cemetery in Munhall approached Mifflin Township Historical Society after the cemetery's money troubles were discussed at the May 27 Munhall council meeting.

Cathy Morrow, president of the oversight board, told council then that the cemetery is losing “thousands of dollars” every month and doesn't have the option of cutting costs. She said a Chapter 7 bankruptcy filing in July is likely.

“We absolutely want to help but are not in a position to give money,” society president Daniel Burns said, noting his organization is a nonprofit. Burns said the society indicated it would lend its support to the cemetery for fundraising and offered the use of its headquarters in the old West Mifflin police station.

But Burns said the society is not in position to offer a long-term solution.

“What the answer is, I don't know. We struggle for our own funding,” Burns said.

Cemetery officials said their economic problems stem primarily from a steady decrease in the number of funerals and burial plots being sold. As of two weeks ago, there had been four burials this year.

Officials at other nonprofit cemeteries say they understand the challenges Homestead is enduring.

McKeesport and Versailles Cemetery superintendent Duane Junker said he has seen a steady decrease in business over the decades.

“We're basically in the same boat,” Junker said. “The number of funerals is going down each year and we still have the 60 acres of ground to take care of.”

Junker said the cemetery had 162 burials in 1998. In 2014, there were 84. He said interments have dropped every year but one during that period.

Junker blames the decline in population in the region and an increase in cremations.

Junker said the future of the graveyard is sound because of a state law requiring that cemeteries put 15 percent of the proceeds on lot sales into a fund dedicated to perpetual maintenance.

“That's basically how we're sustaining ourselves now,” said Junker, who noted the funds are put into a conservative market fund. “My theory is, as long as the stock market doesn't crash, we'll be able to sustain ourselves.”

Mt. Vernon Cemetery office manager Joy Cullen said the Elizabeth Township facility invests in the state perpetual care fund and tries to grow business by offering prepaid lots and services.

“Pre-planning helps us but there's only so much of that you can do,” Cullen said. “It's really hard to increase business.”

The owners of prepaid lots in Homestead Cemetery have voiced concerns about what will become of their investment if the graveyard goes bankrupt.

“I don't know what you would do at that point,” Cullen said. “I would call a lawyer.”

Munhall officials have expressed support for the cemetery but are dealing with budgetary constraints, too.

Burns said many cemeteries are located in the 14 municipalities that fall within the society's purview. He said neighbors often take care of smaller ones.

“There's a graveyard by Home­ville Elementary (in West Mifflin) that contains about 12 plots. The guy next door cuts the grass because he gets tired of looking at the weeds,” Burns said.

Burns said that's not really an option where sizeable cemeteries such as the one in Munhall are concerned.

Eric Slagle is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 412-664-9161 ext. 1966, or eslagle@tribweb.com.

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