DeepDale Memorial Gardens

My father recently passed away and was buried at Deepdale Memorial Park Cemetery in Lansing. I visit his grave daily in Section 11. I went after the storms we had I was shocked at what I seen. New graves were sunken in due to not being adequately filled with soil (see photo), flush mount markers that had been placed greater than 5, some 10 yrs ago were sticking up out of the ground, no longer level and that 1 being of a Vietnam Veteran, and 1 flush marker was simply washed away (see photo). I placed a call to Deepdale's office 2 days ago and spoke with Jessica, who informed me ""We don't have the proper staff to fix was we call a ""natural disaster"" and if the families of those loved one who's marker has been displaced or are now gone want to have those fixed they can call the office"".... REALLY???? Some may not visit as often as I do, or live out of state. We all paid thousands of dollars to have our loved ones laid to rest in what we consider a peaceful garden on the river and that is the response I get? We pay fees for those grounds keepers who seem to do nothing, so where is all of that money going?? What happens to the people who's loved ones live out of town and are unaware there loved one's flush marker identifying them washed away? What about the family of the Vietnam Veteran who served our country and defended Jessica's right for freedom? they have to discover his marker is 1/2 sunken in and 1/2 sticking out of the ground due to not being placed properly for someone to process paperwork to have it fixed?? What about the name marker monuments of someone who has no immediate family member in the area anymore and at some point a great-grandchild researches their family history and wants find their loved one to pay respects to that Vietnam Veteran whom they never met, but have now found? Its bad enough Deepdale doesn't empty their trash cans, leave trash all around the grounds, leave empty crypts/casket vaults just laying next to the road in the park unattended to for days prior to a burial, leave equipment of a burial by the persons grave for weeks after use and now I am being told they don't have the proper staff to repair the honor of an identifying marker on a deceased person's grave? Needless to say I will have to purchase my own soil and fill in my fathers sunken in grave! \r \r \r more

My parents bought their plots many years ago. My Dad died almost 3 years ago, and although we both enjoyed planting and tending flowers in the earth, it is not allowed. Unless you go on a holiday and stick flowers in a vase, where they keep your very expensive tribute for a week after and then trash it. It is so bland and sterile. It shows no love or respect because of these strict rules. My grandmother, aunt and brother are all at Evergreen on Mt Hope. It looks beautiful all summer long, and shows the love for those who rest there. I'm sure it is just as difficult to mow there as at Deepdale, but the people who run it know how important tending loved ones graves are. I wish I could move my dad so that he could have the flowers each summer, he so enjoyed. more

My son Robbie Bridges was put to rest. 12 years ago today. May 9 th,. 1996 , Robbie was only 19 yrs young and passed away with Lukemia. Robbie Bridges was a good , loving, caring, and very special to me. I miss Robbie today as if it just happened. I know that my feelings at the time was like being in shock and the People that took care of Robbie and put him to rest did a wonderfull Job and was very understanding and helpfull in many ways. I can not tell you how much it ment to me and his mother. All I know is Robbie is being taken care of here as well as above. May God Bless you all , Thanks for taking the time to read this . \r Robbie Bridges father Bob ps. My heart will never heal and I pray for Robbie s mother Brenda Bridges and know that she was a great mother and took care of him till the end. more