The 2023 Ohio Dept. of Commerce /Div. of Real Estate & Professional Licensing (REPL)Cemetery Grant Program is now available for application - ONLINE ONLY TO APPLY - ONLY for ACTIVE NOT FOR PROFIT CEMETERIES - WHICH EXCLUDES cemeteries that are Inactive = meaning no burials in the past 25 calendar years, OR cemeteries deemed to be Family Cemeteries per the Ohio Revised Codes - DEADLINE TO APPLY IS AUGUST 1, 2022

Please note.:  

This is a Link to information from the Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing regarding applying for the 2023 Cemetery Grant Program. 

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"CEMETERY GRANT"

"The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (REPL) is pleased to announce the availability of the FY2023 Cemetery Grant for qualifying not-for-profit and local government cemeteries. 

Allowable grant requests include those to defray costs of exceptional cemetery maintenance or training cemetery personnel in the maintenance and operation of cemeteries. 

Eligible applicants shall be cemetery operators properly registered with REPL, be a documented not-for-profit entity under the IRS tax code and be in compliance with any applicable endowment and/or preneed cemetery merchandise and services trust accounts. 

"The REPL Superintendent is accepting only online applications."

Please gather all information prior to application entry. 

****"Once you start the application, the information entered cannot be saved and if you exit out of the application you will lose all information previously entered."**** 

"The Cemetery Grant application instructions are being provided as a worksheet guidance document only. This will allow you to gather all of the necessary information prior to submitting the grant application online."

****You can find the grant instructions here.****

"The application must be answered completely to be considered for grant funds and submitted no later than August 1, 2022."

Contact: Laura A. Monick at (614) 466-5384 or

 CemeteryGrants@com.state.oh.us

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****Please keep this information in mind when applying for a 2023 Cemetery Grant."****:  

*****Please read each word carefully.*****  

Please direct any questions you may have to Laura Monick at:

614) 466-5384

 or

 CemeteryGrants@com.state.oh.us

*****

***WHEN READY TO APPLY":

"THERE IS AN APPLY NOW BUTTON AT THE BOTTOM OF THE CEMETERYGRANT.COM MAIN PAGE***

Sharing screen prints below.:

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"The Division’s cemetery grant program advances grants to properly registered cemeteries, except for-profit corporations, to defray the costs of exceptional maintenance or training of cemetery personnel in the maintenance and operation of the cemetery. 

A cemetery that has not had a burial in the last 25 years or is a family cemetery is exempt from registration and does not qualify for a grant.

"Reasonable maintenance, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 4767.09, done in the day-to-day operations of a cemetery is not considered exceptional for purposes of awarding grants. Exceptional maintenance is construed broadly to cover non-routine, non-repetitive maintenance.

The grant program runs on a state fiscal year. The grant cycle announcement and application will be announced on our website and via email. The application deadline will be included in the grant announcement.  You may sign up for the email list here.

An operator may apply every other year for one grant of up to $2,500. Operators of five or more cemeteries registered with the Division may apply each year. Grant funds cannot be used for activities or purchases prior to formal approval of the grant application by the Superintendent and the Division’s receipt of a signed grant award agreement."

"Complete information and the application can be found at https://cemeterygrants.com.ohio.gov/ 

"If you have any questions or require additional assistance, please contact the Division at CemeteryGrants@com.state.oh.us."

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***FYI***

"C. 4767.02(A). As used in R.C. 4767.02(C), the term "family cemetery" means "a cemetery containing the human remains of persons, at least three-fourths of whom have a common ancestor or who are the spouse or adopted child of that common ancestor." R.C."

Announcing the 2025 Cemetery Grant Program will open up on July 1, 2024 through the Ohio Department of Commerce

Sharing this important information from the Ohio Department of Commerce - Real Estate and Professional Licensing's website.  

If you are interested in applying for a 2025 cemetery grant, please read all of the information provided.  

If you have any questions, please contact them. 

Since this cemetery grant program began, many Ohio cemeteries have benefitted from it. Sadly, those that are most likely needing grants do not qualify for them under the state's guidelines: i.e. family cemeteries, cemeteries that have not had a burial in 25 years or longer, and For Profit cemeteries -- all of these do not qualify to have these grants awarded to them.  I personally feel that is unfair that these cemeteries are left with no opportunities for additional funding unless provided in some way through their local communities (i.e. fund raises like "Go Fund Me" accounts, etc.).  In essence, the State of Ohio does not recognize them as important enough to qualify in my opinion.  But, for those that are eligible under the guidelines of this program and feel they have a good chance of being awarded a grant, please look into applying for one for 2025. 

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The FY2025 cemetery grant application period opens July 1, 2024. 

"Cemetery operators can sign-up for our cemetery stakeholder email list here.

Once the application period opens on July 1st, the application can be found at: 

https://cemeterygrants.com.ohio.gov/. 

If you have any questions or require additional assistance, please contact the Division at: CemeteryGrants@com.state.oh.us

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https://cemeterygrants.com.ohio.gov/Home/ClosedLanding

CEMETERY GRANT

The application period for SFY2025 will open July 1, 2024. The grant announcement and all FY2025 grant instructions will be provided via the Division's website and via email. You may sign up for the email list here.

This grant is for qualifying not-for-profit and local government cemeteries and helps defray costs of exceptional cemetery maintenance or training cemetery personnel in the maintenance and operation of cemeteries. 

Eligible applicants shall be cemetery operators properly registered with the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing, be a documented not-for-profit entity under the IRS tax code and be in compliance with any applicable endowment and/or preneed cemetery merchandise and services trust accounts.  

The grant program runs on the State Fiscal Year (July 1 - June 30). 

Contact: CemeteryGrants@com.state.oh.us.

The Division’s cemetery grant program advances grants to properly registered cemeteries, except for-profit corporations, to defray the costs of exceptional maintenance or training of cemetery personnel in the maintenance and operation of the cemetery. A cemetery that has not had a burial in the last 25 years or is a family cemetery is exempt from registration and does not qualify for a grant.

Reasonable maintenance, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code section 4767.09, done in the day-to-day operations of a cemetery is not considered exceptional for purposes of awarding grants. Exceptional maintenance is construed broadly to cover non-routine, non-repetitive maintenance.

An operator may apply every other year for one grant of up to $2,500. Operators of five or more cemeteries registered with the Division may apply each year. 

Grant funds cannot be used for activities or purchases prior to formal approval of the grant application by the Superintendent and the Division’s receipt of a signed grant award agreement."

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A link to the Grant Instructions

From the Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing: The Cemetery Grant Program for Fiscal Year 2024 is now open - taking On-Line Only Applications - through July 31, 2023

The  "Ohio Cemetery Grant Program for 2024"  is now open starting June 30, 2023 through July 31, 2023 to apply for Fiscal Year 2024.

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Quoted from the website.:

"CEMETERY GRANT"

"The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (REPL) is pleased to announce the availability of the FY2024 Cemetery Grant for qualifying not-for-profit and local government cemeteries. 

Allowable grant requests include those to defray costs of exceptional cemetery maintenance or training cemetery personnel in the maintenance and operation of cemeteries. Eligible applicants shall be cemetery operators properly registered with REPL, be a documented not-for-profit entity under the IRS tax code and be in compliance with any applicable endowment and/or preneed cemetery merchandise and services trust accounts. The REPL Superintendent is accepting only online applications.

Please gather all information prior to application entry. Once you start the application, the information entered cannot be saved and if you exit out of the application you will lose all information previously entered. 

The Cemetery Grant application instructions are being provided as a worksheet guidance document only. This will allow you to gather all of the necessary information prior to submitting the grant application online.

***You can find the grant instructions here.***

The application must be answered completely to be considered for grant funds and submitted no later than July 31, 2023."

Contact: 

CemeteryGrants@com.state.oh.us. 

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Main Page for Cemeteries.:

https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/real-estate-and-professional-licensing/cemeteries

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Link to the Guides and Resources for the cemetery grant program.:

https://com.ohio.gov/divisions-and-programs/real-estate-and-professional-licensing/cemeteries/guides-and-resources/cemetery-grant

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****As in years past, the Cemetery Grant Program is only open to Active Cemeteries (those that have had interments in the past 25 years) that are Registered or those that Should be Registered AND are Not-For-Profit Cemeteries.

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****Please keep in mind as was true for previous years, 

the For Profit Cemeteries -- such as those owned and operated by StoneMor, for example -- are NOT eligible to receive any funds from the Cemetery Grant Program in Ohio. 

Nor are any family cemeteries or Inactive / Abandoned Cemeteries in Ohio.  

(D) Sections 4767.02 to 4767.04 of the Revised Code do not apply to or affect a family cemetery or a cemetery in which there have been no interments during the previous twenty-five calendar years. As used in this division, "family cemetery" means a cemetery containing the human remains of persons, at least three-fourths of whom have a common ancestor or who are the spouse or adopted child of that common ancestor.

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****If you have any questions or require additional assistance, please contact the Division at 614-466-5384 or CemeteryGrants@com.ohio.gov.****

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"Ohio Department of Commerce Awards Nearly $367,000 to 80 Ohio Cemeteries to Preserve History, Address Maintenance Issues"

Ohio Department of Commerce - Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing:

The winners are announced!

"October 15, 2026"

"COLUMBUS, Ohio — Dozens of cemeteries across Ohio will soon receive financial assistance to help preserve their history and enhance safety for visitors. The Ohio Department of Commerce’s Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (REPL) has awarded $366,970.41 in grants to 80 Ohio cemeteries located in 49 counties through its Cemetery Grant Fund for fiscal year 2027. The awards range from $2,500 to a maximum of $5,000 for this year.

The Division received 208 applications for funds during this current cycle, which is a 21% increase from 172 applications submitted in 2025. The Division currently registers more than 4,100 cemeteries throughout the state.

Through the Cemetery Grant Program, the Division awards funds to properly registered cemeteries, not including for-profit corporations, to help defray costs associated with exceptional maintenance projects or the training of cemetery personnel in the maintenance and operation of the cemetery. 

“We’re proud to partner with our cemetery partners across Ohio to help protect and maintain these important historic and cultural spaces,” said Division of Real Estate & Professional Licensing Superintendent Daphne Hawk. “Each of these cemeteries plays a meaningful role in telling the story of its community, and this funding helps to ensure they remain safe, secure, and welcoming for generations to come.”

The annual Cemetery Grant Program is funded by $9.50 of every $10 from burial permit fees received by the Division. Cemeteries that applied for, but did not receive funding this year are encouraged to apply again next year when the application submission window opens on July 1, 2027. In addition to registering cemeteries in Ohio, the Division administers the Ohio Cemetery Dispute Resolution Commission, which assists in resolving complaints filed against registered cemeteries through mediation and conciliation.

Below is a complete list of this fiscal year’s grant recipients, categorized by region and in alphabetical order by county name. More detailed information regarding the funds is available via download. Additional information on how the Division works with Ohio cemeteries is available at com.ohio.gov/Cemeteries.

Northwest Ohio

Swanton Cemetery (Fulton County)

Arcadia Cemetery (Hancock County)

Krout Riverview Cemetery (Hancock County)

Harding Township Cemetery (Lucas County)

Tomlinson Cemetery (Mercer County)

Harris-Elmore Cemetery (Ottawa County)

Pleasant Union Cemetery Association (Seneca County)

St. Wendelin Cemetery (Seneca County)

Morgan's Place Cemetery (Shelby County)

Floral Grove Cemetery (Williams County)

Riverside Cemetery (Williams County)

 

Northeast Ohio

Savannah Cemetery (Ashland County)

Hayes Cemetery (Ashtabula County)

Lulu Falls Cemetery (Ashtabula County)

Monroe Street Cemetery (Cuyahoga County)

Bloomingville Cemetery (Erie County)

Castalia Cemetery (Erie County)

Sand Hill Cemetery (Erie County)

Chester Township Cemetery (Geauga County)

Slitor Cemetery (Geauga County)

Florida Cemetery (Hancock County)

Clarksfield Hollow/Methodist (Huron County)

Hammondsville Cemetery (Jefferson County)

Mentor Municipal Cemetery (Lake County)

Boardman Cemetery (Mahoning County)

Ellsworth Cemetery (Mahoning County)

Washingtonville Cemetery (Mahoning County)

Maple Hill Cemetery (Medina County)

Spencer Cemetery (Medina County)

Hartzell Cemetery (Portage County)

Franklin Cemetery Association (Richland County)

Melscheimer Cemetery (Stark County)

Sherman Cemetery (Stark County)

Sherbondy Hill Cemetery (Summit County)

Champion Township Cemetery (Trumbull County)

Evergreen Cemetery Johnston Cemetery North and South (Trumbull County)

Hubbard Union Cemetery (Trumbull County)

Niles City Cemetery (Trumbull County)

St. Patrick Church Cemetery (Trumbull County)

St. Stephen Cemetery (Trumbull County)

West Bazetta (Trumbull County)

Maple Grove Cemetery (Wayne County)

New Pittsburg Cemetery (Formerly Rice Cemetery) (Wayne County)

 

Central Ohio

Fairfield Cemetery (Coshocton County)

Plainfield Cemetery (Coshocton County)

Campbell Cemetery (Crawford County)

Green Mound Cemetery (Delaware County)

Marlborough Cemetery (Delaware County)

Mount Pleasant Cemetery (Delaware County)

Village of Galena Cemetery (Delaware County)

Maple Grove Cemetery (Fairfield County)

Thurston Primitive Baptist Cemetery (Fairfield County)

Walnut Creek (Fayette County)

Washington Cemetery (Fayette County)

Maplewood Cemetery (Franklin County)

The Abbey Mausoleum & Gardens (Franklin County)

Green Valley Cemetery (Knox County)

Homer Cemetery (Licking County)

Iberia Cemetery (Morrow County)

Heavenly Hills Cemetery (Pickaway County)

East Cemetery (Pike County)

Caldwell Cemetery (Ross County)

Huntington Township Cemetery (Ross County)

Twin Cemetery (Ross County)

 

Southeast Ohio

Crown City Cemetery (Galia County)

German Lutheran Cemetery (Monroe County)

Sardis Cemetery (Monroe County)

Road Fork Baptist Church Cemetery(Noble County)

Highland Ridge Cemetery (Washington County)

 

Southwest Ohio

Cherry Fork Cemetery (Adams County)

Linwood Cemetery (Brown County)

Elk Creek Cemetery (Butler County)

Goshen Cemetery (Clermont County)

Olive Branch Cemetery (Clermont County)

Rose of Sharon (Clermont County)

Mt. Washington Cemetery (Hamilton County)

Union Baptist Cemetery (Hamilton County)

Belfast Cemetery Association (Highland County)

Maple Hill Cemetery (Miami County)

Germantown Union Cemetery (Montgomery County)

###

About the Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing
The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing is part of the Ohio Department of Commerce. The department is Ohio’s chief regulatory agency, focused on promoting prosperity and protecting what matters most to Ohioans. We ensure businesses follow the laws that help them create jobs and keep Ohioans safe. To learn more about what we do, visit our website at com.ohio.gov."

OHIO CEMETERY GRANT PROGRAM FOR 2021 - DEADLINE IS JULY 31 2020

From Ohio's  "REPL" - The Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing - of the Ohio Department of Commerce.:

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"PURPOSE OF GRANT"

"The Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (REPL) is pleased to announce the availability of grant funding in State Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 for eligible applicants to defray the costs of exceptional cemetery maintenance or training cemetery personnel in the maintenance and operation of cemeteries. The grant cycle is July 01, 2020* to July 31, 2020." 
***(Take Note:)***
"Exceptional maintenance shall be construed broadly to cover non-routine, non-repetitive maintenance. 
Reasonable maintenance, pursuant to Ohio Revised Code (ORC) section 4767.09, done in the day-to-day operations of a cemetery is not considered exceptional for purposes of awarding grants. The amount of funding available for grant cycle FY 2021 is $80,000."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

"CEMETERY GRANT"

"The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing (REPL) is pleased to announce the availability of the FY 2021 Cemetery Grant for qualifying not-for-profit and local government cemeteries. 

Allowable grant requests include those to defray costs of exceptional cemetery maintenance or training cemetery personnel in the maintenance and operation of cemeteries. 

Eligible applicants shall be cemetery operators properly registered with REPL, be a documented not-for-profit entity under the IRS tax code and be in compliance with any applicable endowment and/or preneed cemetery merchandise and services trust accounts. The REPL Superintendent is accepting only online applications.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

*****Please gather all information prior to application entry. 

Once you start the application, the information entered cannot be saved and if you exit out of the application you will lose all information previously entered. *****

The Cemetery Grant application instructions are being provided as a worksheet guidance document only. 

This will allow you to gather all of the necessary information prior to submitting the grant application online.

The application must be answered completely to be considered for grant funds and submitted no later than July 31, 2020." 

Contact: 

Laura A. Monick at (614) 466-5384" 

or 

CemeteryGrants@com.state.oh.us. 

Website:

https://cemeterygrants.com.ohio.gov/

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Link below to Instructions:

https://www.com.ohio.gov/documents/CemeteryGrantFinalInstructions21.pdf

~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Please note that there is an "Apply Now" button on this link.:https://cemeterygrants.com.ohio.gov/

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THE CEMETERY GRANT APPLICATION

HB168 - Ohio Cemetery Grant Program - Recipients Listing Released

September 9, 2019: 

From the Ohio Department of Commerce

 Division of Real Estate and Professional Licensing:
"The Division received 143 on-time cemetery grant applications! 

What a tremendous response to the first year of this grant program." 

October 9, 2019:

Sharing a Ohio Department of Commerce 

"News Release"

HB168 Ohio Cemetery Grant Program 

Listing of Recipients for 2020

If you have any questions or require additional assistance, 
please contact the Division at: 
614-466-5384 or 
CemeteryGrants@com.state.oh.us. Complete information and forms can be found at www.com.ohio.gov/real.

 

Please keep in mind that inactive cemeteries with no burials during the prior 25 calendar years, family burial cemeteries, and for-profit cemeteries are not eligible to receive a grant under this program. 

Ohio Administrative Code - 1301:13-7 Eligibility for Grants

Link to Cemetery Grant Forms
Scroll down to find the
 Cemetery Grant Application Instructions
and
The Cemetery Grant Application

From the office of Rep. Dick Stein – House Bill 168 Sponsor:“Each year/ grant cycle, $100k will be transferred from the Division of Cemeteries burial permit fund to the Cemetery Grant Fund. Annual issuance of burial permits exceeds the grant fund amount to ensure its future availability. There is an existing statute that caps distribution of many state grants to 80% of the total fund–this is to account for administering funds and financial market fluctuations. It is possible for leftover monies to carryover to the next grant cycle. We are very happy to see so much interest and hope those projects not funded this round have a future opportunity.”

The Cemetery Grant Program for 2027 launched July 1, 2026 through July 31, 2026 - with significant improvements!

 Starting July 1, 2026 most Active Registered Cemeteries can apply for the Ohio Department of Commerce's Cemetery Grant for 2027. 

AND

Sharing from the "Record Herald" in Washington Court House.: 
  "Ohio Doubles Maximum Grant Funding available for Non-Profit Cemetery Upkeep"
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"Applications must be submitted online at cemeterygrants.com.ohio.gov."
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Video
~*~*~*~*~*~
Important to read information
~*~*~*~*~*~
CEMETERY GRANT
The Ohio Department of Commerce Division of
Real Estate and Professional Licensing (REPL)
is pleased to announce the availability
of the FY2027 Cemetery Grant
for qualifying not-for-profit and

local government cemeteries.
Eligible applicants shall
be cemetery operators 
properly registered with REPL,
be a documented not-for-profit
entity under the IRS tax code
and be in compliance with
 any applicable endowment
 and/or preneed cemetery
merchandise and services
trust accounts.

 The REPL Superintendent is
 accepting only online applications.

The Cemetery Grant application
 instructions are being provided
as a worksheet guidance
document only.
This will allow you time to gather all
of the necessary information prior
to submitting the grant application online. 

A link to look up your registration
number is located on the
application page. 

Please gather all information prior
to application entry. 

Once you start the application,

the information entered

cannot be saved and

if you exit out of the application

you will lose all information

previously entered. 

The grant instructions should

help answer any of your questions. 

You can find the grant instructions here.

The application must be answered

 completely to be considered for

 grant funds and submitted

no later than July 31, 2026.

 **NOTICE**

 There is a typo in the

application that is

in the process

 of being corrected. 

"Amount requested

 (up to $2500)"

should instead read: 

"Amount requested

(up to $5000)."

You will be able to enter the

full amount requested. 

If you have questions,

please contact the email below."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

Contact:

CemeteryGrants@com.state.oh.us

~*~*~*~*~*~

Allowable grant requests include

 those to defray costs of

exceptional cemetery

 maintenance or training cemetery

 personnel in the maintenance

and operation of cemeteries.

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