Infant grave marker project under way

A project to place markers on infant graves at Sunset Hills Cemetery received a significant donation that will provide 27 of the needed 34 markers.

The donation came as cemetery Secretary Janet Griffin and Debbie Perry, a member of the Corning Cemetery District board, were presenting the grave marker project to the Corning Exchange Club during a meeting this month.

On behalf of the club, President Ross Turner donated $750, making it possible for the board to complete the grave marker project on the east area, or section C, of the cemetery's baby section.

"This type of community outreach is what the Corning Exchange Club is all about," Turner said.

The district is undertaking the project to place permanent granite markers on all of the unmarked graves in the baby section of the cemetery.

About half of the graves, more than 80, have temporary or no markers, Griffin said.

The district is legally restricted from purchasing markers, and is hoping community organizations and individuals will support the project by donating to the cost of granite markers.

"The community has been fantastic," Griffin said.

Advanced Monument of Orland is providing the 32-squre-inch black granite markers and charging, at a reduced rate, to etch the names and applicable dates.

Work on the project is under way and being overseen by cemetery Manager Steve Crane.

Griffin said the district has enough donations to compete Section C, and once it is complete, the board will move on to the larger and older Section D.

"We are really excited about this project which has been tossed around for a long time," she said.