As we walk by some of them, ride bikes and cars past them, some of us might wonder who takes care of our cemeteries.

Here are some of the answers to that question. Many of them are the responsibility of the towns where they are located. The other ones are privately owned and managed by associations made up by citizens who volunteer their time and who may have loved ones buried in that particular cemetery.

In the case of the Catholic and Polish ones, a Catholic priest may oversee the care. Expenses are covered by the Catholic Diocese of Springfield, Mass.

A Jewish cemetery is overseen by the Rabbi of that synagogue in that town (I am pretty positive about this).

In the town of Montague and the City of Greenfield, there are many of them that are located in different areas throughout the town and city.

The Green River Cemetery, located on Wisdom Way and the Calvary Catholic Cemetery on the same street are two of the largest ones for Greenfield. Montague has two close to the center of Montague: A very old cemetery called Locust Hill and another Elm Grove across the street near Rau’s Service Station.  The town has another one located near the center of Millers Falls called Highland Cemetery. Montague also has some very old ones located in different areas of that town.

There are five near the center of Turners Falls located on the top of the hill on Turners Falls Road. Saint Anne’s and Saint Mary’s and the Polish cemetery are all Catholic.

The Aaron Clark cemetery is in two sections, older and new. I have been a member of that cemetery’s association since 1990 due mainly to the fact that many of my father’s relatives are buried there along with my brother, John, who was only nine months old when he passed on.

Some cemeteries charge a fee for each burial and cremation to help keep their cemetery finances afloat, in addition to donations from other sources such as relatives and investments from local banks.

Some towns have an elected commissioner who oversees the cemeteries in their town.

If a cemetery association can no longer afford to pay its expenses, or from a lack of volunteers, it can turn the cemetery along with documents and records to its town government. This is unfortunate but it does happen. The town then becomes the caretaker and ownership of it.

In the mid-1840s and ‘50s, the Aaron Clark Cemetery in Turners Falls was so named for a gentleman named Aaron Clark, a farmer who never married and who gave his land to be used as a cemetery for German, Austria and Bavaria people who had come over from Europe to work in the mills and factories in town.

Now, anyone can be buried there. Most cemeteries sell lots, spaces for their loved ones and others.

Snow’s Landscaping in Greenfield do a lot of mowing and trimming at different cemeteries throughout Franklin County. They also sell lots and keep records for the many associations. Volunteers also help keep the cemeteries looking good.

If you re looking to find where a person is buried in a particular cemetery in the different towns, the town clerks can assist you. The funeral homes can be of much help, in addition to the churches that handle the records.

I sincerely hope that this information I have written is correct and helpful to all.

Robert Bitzer, 92, of Erving is a lifelong resident of Franklin County, having been born in Greenfield. His columns are inspired by extensive photo albums and thorough collections of correspondence he has compiled over the years.