sweet auburn | 2020 volume ii
President ’ s Corner
I t is now late September as I write this column for Sweet Auburn , and I just had the wonderful experience of officiating the wedding of Eric Albano and Nicole Chase in our newly renovated Asa Gray Garden . Eric is the son of Mount Auburn ’ s Executive Vice President & CFO Mike Albano and his wife Diane . Eric and Nicole had set the date and chose the venue for their wedding more than a year ago , but unfortunately the COVID-19 pandemic forced them to change their plans . The expected celebration with 175 of their family and friends had to be changed to an outdoor venue with just 25 members of the two immediate families . While I know Eric and Nicole were disappointed they could not have the bigger party as originally planned , it turns out that the fountain and colorful gardens provided a beautiful and inspiring setting for the ceremony . It was a joyful day for the Albano and Chase families .
Earlier that same day , two graveside burial services were held at Mount Auburn . Although those services did not evoke the joy and happiness of the wedding , they undoubtedly provided much-needed comfort for the families . Day after day — throughout these months of the pandemic — Mount Auburn Cemetery has continued to be a place of tranquility and solace and inspiration , just as our founders envisioned back in 1831 .
Dave in Asa Gray Garden on the day of the wedding , September 26 , 2020 . Photo Credit : Eileen Barnett
During April and May , we were busy carrying out interments and graveside services every day but had to close to the general public and only open two hours each evening for grave visitation . Starting June 1st , we were able to open to all visitors at noon every day , and since July 1st we have been open all day seven days a week . Over these weeks and months , I have encountered many visitors ( always respectfully wearing masks ) on my walks around the grounds , and it has been gratifying to hear so many words of thanks for the beauty and inspirational qualities of Mount Auburn . Of course that is entirely due to the amazing staff who have continued to maintain the grounds and gardens and the monuments and facilities and have continued to provide essential cemetery services to so many families — all at the high standards expected of Mount Auburn . As noted by Steve Brown ( p . 3 ), it has been a true team effort to develop new safety protocols and remain “ unified in purpose and dedication .” I cannot possibly put into words how grateful and proud I am of the entire Mount Auburn staff , who under challenging circumstances have continued to carry out our mission of “ inspiring all who visit , comforting the bereaved , and commemorating the dead in a landscape of exceptional beauty .”
The articles in this issue of Sweet Auburn provide examples of the many ways that Mount Auburn comforts and inspires — from grieving families to historians to citizen scientists to artists . I am pleased to introduce our new Statement of Mission , Vision , and Values ( p . 10 ), which resulted from a year-long process involving many conversations with a wide range of our constituencies . Through this process , we affirmed our principles and values as both an “ active cemetery ” and a dynamic “ cultural institution ” with an inspired vision for the future . We are now actively engaged in a strategic planning process to establish prioritized goals for the next three years , building on our confirmed values . Despite the many challenges of operating under the COVID-19 environment these past few months , we have not only continued to carry out essential services to our clients and visitors but have also been planning ahead to ensure the long-term stewardship of this amazing landscape .
I hope to see you out on the grounds .
David P . Barnett President & CEO
Mount Auburn is both a place of comfort and solace and a place of joy and inspiration , as represented by these photos of the Albano / Chase wedding and an earlier graveside memorial service .
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