What is the Purpose of the Rainier Cemetery District?

The current Mission is: to care for the 12 cemeteries in our district in the most dignified manor possible; to treat each and every person with respect and honor and treat every burial with the utmost respect and honor.

The mission is good, I would hope that any cemetery would treat everyone with respect and honor. This is often one of the toughest times in someone's life.

We need our cemeteries to look their best as best we can. Often times, I'm told this is achieved by both staff and volunteers. The district is also responsible for the funding and expenditures, maintaining proper records, and equipment.

The office should be warm and welcoming to those needing comfort in their time of grief and it is the district's job to provide the community with the greatest of customer service.

Please know, that I am not saying this isn't what is currently happening at all. The current board cares about the district and the community and I've seen this in the meetings I have attended.

Did you know that much like the school district, the cemetery district is part of the SDAO and can have access to many resources in the way of governance and legalities? What is the SDAO, it is Special Districts Association of Oregon and membership is available to Oregon special districts, intergovernmental organizations, statewide or regional associations of local government, or any other public entity which qualifies as a political subdivision or municipal, quasi-municipal or public corporation. The mission of the SDAO is to assist special service districts in providing cost-effective and efficient public services to the people of Oregon.

Please, come check out my blog next week and join me in voting in May.