About

Baldwin Hill Conservation Cemetery, 501(c)(13) Corporation.

Baldwin Hill Cemetery is governed by the Baldwin Hill Conservation Cemetery Corporation, a 501(c)(13) non-profit established and controlled by The Kennebec Land Trust. The Baldwin Corporation oversees the finances of the cemetery, including the establishment and maintenance of a perpetual care fund.

As specified by Maine Statute, Title 13, §1306, the Corporation must maintain a perpetual care fund dedicated to the continued maintenance of the Cemetery. This fund must be created by depositing at least 30% of proceeds from sales of interment rights into the fund.

The Baldwin Hill Corporation’s executive director, Theresa Kerchner, oversees the operations of the corporation and works with the corporation board of directors and the other entities outlined below to implement organizational goals.

KLT, 501(c)(3) as partner in conservation.

The Kennebec Land Trust maintains a majority of directors on the Baldwin Hill Corporation Board. KLT, as the owner and manager of the conservation land surrounding the Cemetery, is a conservation partner of Baldwin Hill.

KLT staff as operations managers (contractors).

KLT staff are hired as contractors to the Baldwin Corporation to perform administrative, financial, and stewardship tasks. As the operations managers, KLT staff will manage the sale of burial rights and maintain the cemetery grounds. The operations managers will also act as cemetery sextons, maintaining gravesites and surrounding cemetery infrastructure as needed.

Funeral Homes.

Funeral homes, with their expertise in grief support and transportation of the deceased, will provide burial services at Baldwin Hill Cemetery. For detailed information on the role funeral homes, and other funeral options, including self-directed funerals, see Funeral Options.

Burial Contractor.

The burial contractor is the person or persons who perform the physical act of opening and closing a grave. The burial contractor is insured and obtains the needed burial permits before beginning work.

The Baldwin Hill Cemetery is grateful to have established a partnership with a contractor who understands the requirements specific to natural burial.

Memorial stone companies and other vendors (caskets, etc.).

Memorial stones are typically purchased through, and set by, independent memorial stone companies. Burial containers are also purchased through independent retailers. Funeral homes will work with individuals and families to guide this process. For more information on these items, see Planning & Options.

NRCS for pollinator habitat creation.

KLT staff, as operations managers to the cemetery, have also partnered with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, that provides technical assistance to farmers and other private landowners and managers. NRCS is providing technical assistance and funding to aid in the development of the Baldwin Hill pollinator project.