‘Tales from Pioneers & Soldiers Cemetery’ Archives
Ashes to Ashes* and Dust to Dust
By Sue Hunter Weir Cremations Today and Years Ago at Pioneers and Soldiers Last year over 40% of all burials in the United States involved cremation. That”'s a number that has been steadily increasing over the years, and, that, given the high cost of funerals, is not likely to decline any time soon. That wasn”'t always the case, however. The vast majority of burials in Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery were full-casket burials. There are a few cremations (or “cremains,” as the they are sometimes called) but most of those were burials that took place after 1919 when the city passed an ordinance that severely restricted who could be buried in the cemetery. Before that, cremations were rare. Religious beliefs prevented most people from considering it but there was at least one notable exception. (more…)
On a Cool 145th Memorial Day Thoughts and Emotions Gathered and “Warmed” by Music, a Call to Youth, and Challenge for Peace “without a Shot-Fired
By Sue Hunter Weir It was hard to tell whether summer has passed us by or is just late in coming. Memorial Day was a gray, somewhat chilly day this year. The crowd wasn”'t as big as it has been on sunnier, warmer days but that didn”'t dampen their enthusiasm. People have turned out at Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery for 145 years to honor those who have died during wars. Given that purpose, it is for the most part a solemn event--except for the music. There is nothing quite like a John Phillips Sousa march to get a crowd tapping their toes. The Seward Concert Band helps set the mood for the day with marches and patriotic songs. When the band plays a medley of service songs veterans of the Army, Coast Guard, Marines, Air Force and Navy rise in turn, salute the flag and are applauded by an appreciative audience. This year”'s observance was a blend of old and new. The words and the music were all familiar. There were several new faces leading different [...]
MEMORIAL DAY at PIONEERS AND SOLDIERS CEMETERY Monday, MAY 27 10 AM
145th Memorial Day Observance Join us for the 145th Memorial Day Observance at Minneapolis Pioneers and Soldiers Memorial Cemetery. There will be speakers, an honor guard firing team, student leaders from the Transition Charter School and the wonderful Seward Community Concert Band. The traditional observance begins at 10 a.m. “Talk” and “Tales” At 1:00 PM, after a short break, attendees may choose to enjoy a “Talk” about the history of the Cemetery and some anecdotes from “Tales” about the lives of some of those people buried there. The talk may extend into a tour for those interested. “The cat”'s out of the bag.” The Annual Memorial Service, Tales from Pioneers and Soldiers Cemetery by Sue Hunter Weir, volunteer Cemetery cleanups, plantings, flower embellishments, flag postings, (more…)
