Cemetery Management

Cemetery Information

Duties of the Cemetery Manager

• Arranging burial services
• Maintaining and enforcing City of Osawatomie Cemetery Policies and Procedures
• Curating and maintaining burial records
• Sale and transfer of burial plots

Note: The city is no longer selling spaces in Elmdale or Oakwood Cemeteries.

The City of Osawatomie owns three municipal cemeteries (Oakwood, Elmdale, and Osawatomie Cemetery). The daily management of these cemeteries is performed under a management contract held by a licensed funeral director at a local funeral home. Under this management contract, the City still maintains all payment processing and deed work as dictated by Kansas State Statutes. The Cemetery Manager(s) coordinates all other aspects of cemetery maintenance, such as the sale of burial spaces, grave opening/closing permits, stone setting permits, interments, and other regular activities.

Historical and/or Genealogical Records

Historical records are kept in perpetuity at Osawatomie City Hall. Records requests should be directed to City Offices through either the City Clerk or Utility Billing.

A digital records archive is under construction, but not every record is currently available in digital format. Please contact City Hall for assistance with historical records or questions on genealogical studies.

Cemetery Maintenance

Operation & Maintenance

The City of Osawatomie contracts landscaping and other property maintenance for City facilities, including the cemeteries. Proper maintenance and a neat appearance are high priorities, especially for occasions such as Memorial Day which bring a large number of visitors. Our Public Works Department also provides emergency response, such as after storms or other severe weather events.

Memorial Day Flower Placement

Flowers and other approved arrangements may be placed on graves after 5 p.m. the Friday before Memorial Day and must be picked up within seven full days after Memorial Day. The landscape contractor will pickup and dispose of any remaining arrangements after that time.

Cemetery Code

View the City of Osawatomie’s City Code book online.

Contact

Manager (for Operational Assistance, Burials, Monuments)
Emily McCrea and/or Loren McCrea
Eddy-Birchard Funeral Home
913-731-6378
8:00am – 5:00pm | Monday thru Friday
8:00am – 12:00pm | Saturday

Cemetery Clerks (for Historical Records or Other Inquiries)

City Hall staff is available from 8:00am – 4:30pm, Monday thru Friday. To send written inquiries or mail documents, please utilize the below address:

Osawatomie City Hall
c/o Cemetery Services
PO Box 37
Osawatomie, KS 66064