Harris County's New Potter's Field In Crosby

[editor]

Harris County Commissioners today authorized the Harris County Community Services Department to purchase approximately 50 acres of land for the purpose of creating a new indigent cemetery at a cost of approximately $340,000. The land, located at 21122 Crosby Eastgate Road will provide a long-term solution as the historic Harris County Cemetery at 5434 Oates Road reaches capacity.

Opened in 1923, The 20 acre Oates Road Cemetery has over 13 thousand burials to date. Approximately 400 spaces remain.

"With the cemetery quickly filling up and land values the lowest they've been in decades, we see this as a good time to provide a long-term solution for the indigent burial program. We can do this without putting any additional burden on the County's budget by using federal community development block grant funding," David Turkel, Director of Harris County Community Services said.

While Harris County adopted a cremation-first policy in March, traditional burials are continuing for those whose families object to cremation for religious or personal reasons. Unidentified remains recommended for burial by the Harris County Medical Examiner's also continue to require a traditional burial.

Development of the property into a cemetery won't begin for several years, said Turkel. Current estimates are that available space at the Oates Road location could last 3-5 years.

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