State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries
Next Meeting
The Williamsburg Historical Society will host the October 14th SAPIC meeting at the Williamsburg Museum, 516 Elm Street in Williamsburg. Coffee and refreshments will be offered around 9:00 a.m., with the meeting beginning at 10:00.
Following the meeting, tours of the museum and adjacent drug store and hospital will be available. Society board member Mary Miller can be reached with questions at (319) 668-1651.
2023 Cemetery Appreciation Month Proclamation   2023 Cemetery Proclamation Signing Who We Are and What We Offer
SAPIC's
Organization History
Articles of Incorporation for the State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries
Bylaws for the State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries History of SAPIC The State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries was formed in 1996 as a result of legislation that allowed for each of the 99 counties to create a County Cemetery Commission. The focus of these Commissions was to rescue untended pioneer graves and cemeteries and to take responsibility for the upkeep of such sites. May is proclaimed Cemetery Appreciation Month each year by the Governor of the State of Iowa.
Pioneer Cemetery Concerns Iowa law defines a Pioneer Cemetery as one in which there have been 12 or fewer burials in the past 50 years, (the law was changed from six to 12 burials in 2009). If you have questions or concerns about a cemetery that qualifies for this distinction, please contact SAPICiowa@yahoo.com.SAPIC Cemetery/Grave Marker Survey SAPIC developed a survey form for the detailed documenting of cemeteries. The public is encouraged to use this form for documenting and/or recording cemeteries anywhere, whether they be pioneer, city, church, private, etc. and regardless of condition. A Word version is available for typing directly into the boxes and a PDF version is available to print and write on. Please send us your completed forms for archiving by email, SAPICiowa@yahoo.com and mail: State Association for the Preservation of Iowa Cemeteries, 5716 Kingman Ave., Des Moines, IA 50311.
Microsoft Word version
PDF version
Do not let this form scare you! Recording a cemetery of any size does require extensive dedication, but with the diversity between cemeteries, it is unlikely that every field will be filled. It is still important to do your best and complete the survey as fully as possible. Some of the fields will require additional research away from the cemetery, including the utilization of the library, courthouse and online information. The goal of this form is merely to serve as a guide with terminology to better understand our cemeteries and as a starting point towards cemetery restoration. Many abandoned cemeteries are far from what the pioneers had envisioned in their cemetery's future. We can prevent what remains of our cemeteries from facing the same fate. There are no regulations requiring cemeteries to use this form, but many wish they had a universal form to record their cemeteries and prevent what currently exists from entering oblivion. For those of you who are determined to undertake this challenge, we commend you! Check out Patriot Outreach
and their current restoration project for- Iowa Governor (Colonel) Samuel Merrill's resting place
2024 SAPIC GRANT APPLICATION Contacts Membership Dues Iowa Cemetery Laws and
Procedures Winners of the Carter Awards
Researchers may submit photos
and transcriptions of gravestones and may connect with kinfolk. Care should always be taken when relying on the accuracy of information inscribed on grave markers as well as the information posted to these sites; double check your facts for everyone's benefit.
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