Toppled headstones at Saugus cemetery upset local families

SAUGUS, Mass. (MyFoxBoston.com) – More than 1,500 people are buried at Riverside Cemetery in Saugus, including Rebecca Palumbo's mother and the daughter she lost 21 years ago.

Palumbo told FOX 25's Ted Daniel that she visits their gravesites twice a month for about 20 minutes each time. However, over time, she has noticed that conditions in one part of the large cemetery have gone from bad to worse.

Several newer gravesites look like they were not properly filled in, while others appeared to be sinking.

More than a dozen headstones had toppled over, including one beside a World War I plague.

"I think it's a disgrace. It's very hurtful that they don't care enough to take care of it," Palumbo said. "I was here yesterday and a woman saw me taking pictures. She said if I didn't do something, she was going to."

During a brief phone conversation, the superintendent of the cemetery blamed the problems on the harsh winter and said repairs will begin soon now that the ground has begun to thaw.

Saugus Town Manager Scott Crabtree told FOX 25 he was unaware of any issues at the cemetery, but promised a full investigation.

It's likely some Riverside families have no idea their loved ones' final resting places have been disturbed, but Palumbo says town employees need to address this immediately so everyone can rest in peace.

Cox Media Group