News Release

Cemetery Visit Assistance Offered by Big South Fork NRRA in 2023

Headstone found at a cemetery within the park

NPS

News Release Date: May 10, 2023

Contact: Christopher Derman, 423-569-9778

Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area will provide assistance on May 27, for family members who wish to visit remote cemeteries and do minor clean-up of graves of their relatives.

This assistance will be provided to the park cemeteries that are not easy to access and located inside the park boundary. Transportation from a designated area in the park to the cemetery will be provided only to those that are physically unable to walk round trip, based on a first-come, first-served basis. The park is also planning on providing this opportunity in the Fall season.

There are a total of 58 cemeteries located throughout Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area. Some of these are very old and no longer receiving burials, while others are current cemeteries. Several of these cemeteries are family plots and are located near old home sites.

The most recent burials take place at many active, private cemeteries located within the boundary of the National Area. All the cemeteries in the park have remarkable stories associated with them. To learn more about the cemeteries of Big South Fork NRRA, click here: https://www.nps.gov/biso/historyculture/cemeteries.htm.

If you, or family member need assistance visiting a park cemetery on May 27 or 28, please contact Effie Houston at [phone] by Friday, May 20, and provide the day and cemetery.