Neglect Over Decades Threatens Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens

A Decade-Long Nightmare at Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens

For over two decades, families in Luzerne County have been grappling with a deeply unsettling situation involving the Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens in Plains Township. What was once a place of peace and remembrance has become a symbol of neglect and despair. The deteriorating condition of the cemetery and its mausoleum has left many families living a nightmare, as they fear their loved ones are not resting in peace.

The Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens, which was purchased at a tax sale in 2005, has seen a steady decline in maintenance and care. The current owners, who claim they were unaware they were buying a cemetery, have not taken responsibility for its upkeep. This lack of action has led to a severe deterioration of the site, with parts of the mausoleum crumbling and even some caskets now visible from the outside.

Ava Petersen, a researcher focused on abandoned cemeteries, described her shock upon visiting the site. “Even though I kind of expected something like this to happen sooner or later, when you actually see it, it’s really horrifying,” she said. For the first time in over 20 years of investigation, a casket is visible within the mausoleum, raising serious concerns about the treatment of the deceased.

The situation escalated further when Plains Township officials condemned the cemetery in 2015. Court records also reveal that the owners owe more than $66,000 in back taxes, adding to the financial burden on families who have had to remove the remains of their loved ones at their own expense. This process has cost thousands of dollars, leaving many families in a difficult position.

Bill Tieso, a local volunteer, has been cutting the grass at the cemetery since his mother passed away in 1991. He expressed frustration over the lack of maintenance. “Well, first of all, you see that building, most of the bodies are out of there. I’d like to see it fixed or taken down or whatever, and have somebody, it’s supposed to be perpetual care,” Tieso said.

Petersen, who also volunteers to clean up the cemetery, is working on a book about the history of Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens. She highlights that abandoned cemeteries are not uncommon in Pennsylvania. “It’s happening a lot more just because there’s a lack of oversight. Part of what I want to do is maybe pass new legislation. Obviously, I can’t do that, but bring it to somebody who can,” she explained.

Despite repeated attempts to contact the owners, who reside in Florida, 28/22 News has yet to receive a response. Plains Township and Luzerne County officials state that the issue is beyond their control, as the property is private land.

The ongoing neglect of the Good Shepherd Memorial Gardens raises critical questions about the responsibilities of cemetery owners and the need for better oversight. As families continue to face the emotional and financial toll of this situation, the community awaits a resolution that will restore dignity to the final resting place of their loved ones.