EL PASO, TEXAS (KFOX14\/CBS4) \u2014 An El Paso family says Evergreen East Cemetery is failing to meet the maintenance standards outlined in its perpetual care agreement, pointing to dead grass, dying trees, and deteriorating landscaping throughout the property.<\/p>\n
Sylvia Pedregon said she has noticed the cemetery’s condition worsen over time while visiting the graves of her husband and father-in-law, who are buried at Evergreen East Cemetery on Montana Avenue.<\/p>\n
“I always thought this was really nice because of the flowers and everything, but now that you go in further and further, you see dried trees and all the weeds, and it makes you kind of feel sad to come and honor your loved ones,” Pedregon said.<\/p>\n
Pedregon said her family paid more than $6,000 for burial services and perpetual care.<\/p>\n
Destiny Venecia reports on El Paso family says Evergreen East Cemetery violates perpetual care, cites neglect (Credit: KFOX14)<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
According to the cemetery’s rules included in the family’s contract, “the care and maintenance of the cemetery grounds… shall be the responsibility of the cemetery.”<\/p>\n
She said the current condition of the property does not reflect those obligations.<\/p>\n
I understood by the contract that was given to us that they were going to go ahead and maintain it by watering it,” Pedregon said. “That was part of our payment to this cemetery. As it is, it was expensive. So we feel that the contract is not giving us what we paid for.<\/p>\n
Pedregon said much of the approximately 40-acre cemetery is covered with brown grass, dry landscaping, and dying trees.<\/p>\n
She also said families have been told they can use a water tank on the property to water their loved ones’ graves themselves.<\/p>\n
KFOX14 asked Evergreen East Cemetery what it is doing to address families’ concerns.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the cemetery acknowledged the current condition of the property.<\/p>\n
We understand that the current condition of the cemetery doesn’t meet the expectations of the families we serve. We share those concerns.Recently, our water pump failed, which has impacted our ability to maintain the grounds at the level our families deserve. The good news is that we are in the process of installing a brand-new water pump. We are optimistic that the new system will be operational by the end of July.In the meantime, we have provided a water tank that is replenished every two days so that families can continue to water their loved ones’ graves.We sincerely appreciate the patience and understanding of our families as we work to complete these improvements and restore the cemetery to the standard our community expects and deserves.<\/p>\n
KFOX14 also asked Evergreen East Cemetery when the water pump failed, how long the irrigation system has been inoperable, what maintenance has been performed during that time, whether asking families to water graves is consistent with its perpetual care obligations, how it plans to restore the landscaping, whether families will receive any compensation, and whether it believes the cemetery’s current condition complies with its perpetual care agreements.<\/p>\n
The cemetery did not respond to those additional questions before publication.<\/p>\n
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