Message from the President & CEO
and Chair of the Board of Trustees
We are pleased to pre se nt Mount Auburn
Cemetery’s 184th Annual Report containing highlights
of our accomplishments and a summary of our financial
results.
In December 2015, after an intensive, two-year process, the
Board of Trustees approved a new five-year Strategic Plan
featuring six major initiatives:
1. Commit to organizational excellence.
2. Maintain and enhance the Cemetery’s beauty,
tranquility, and inspirational qualities, as envisioned
by the founders.
3. Be a model of environmental stewardship.
4. Ensure preservation of the Cemetery’s historic character.
5. Ensure an exceptional experience for all who come to
Mount Auburn.
6. Promote and support the institution through education,
outreach, and fundraising.
Under each initiative there are several long-term objectives
with specific and measurable goals for each of the next
five years. In addition, the Plan includes the following new
vision statement:
“Mount Auburn, the nation’s premier garden cemetery,
provides innovative and comprehensive end-of-life services
while being a model for environmental stewardship, horticultural practices, and historic preservation practices, all at
the highest standards. It is a dynamic cultural institution,
inspiring broad financial support from the public and attracting highly motivated staff, Trustees and volunteers.”
We are confident that Mount Auburn’s founders, who in
1831 had the innovative vision to create the nation’s first
rural cemetery providing for burial and commemoration
in a beautiful and inspirational setting, would be pleased to
see Mount Auburn today.
A major area of focus during FY2016 was the “Front
Entry Precinct”—the area just inside the main entrance to
the Cemetery—where much was accomplished to preserve
our historic structures, enhance the landscape, and improve
traffic circulation and other aspects of the visitor experience
(page 8).
And whether it involve Preservation, Facilities & Historical
Collections (p. 2), Horticulture & Landscape (p. 4), Cemetery
& Visitor Services (p. 6), or the Friends of Mount Auburn
(p. 12), we continue to carry out Mount Auburn’s mission
and to increase awareness of all that we do both as an active cemetery and as a vibrant cultural institution. We strive
to be an efficient and sustainable organization using best
business practices. As indicated in the Treasurer’s Report
(p.10), Mount Auburn is in excellent financial condition
and positioned well to carry out our exciting vision over
the next 184 years.
With appreciation of all the families we serve and all the
individuals and organizations who embrace and support
our mission, we respectfully submit this report.
David P. Barnett,
President & CEO
Thomas C. Cooper,
Chair
Mount Auburn Cemetery Board of Trustees
1