White Haven Memorial Park in Rochester, NY is owned and operated by a not-for-profit membership corporation called White Haven Memorial Parks, Inc. This same corporation also owns Canandaigua Lakeview Cemetery in Rushville, New York. In accordance with New York State Cemetery Law, this corporation is owned and operated by and for the mutual benefit of all Lot Owners of these two cemeteries.
The corporation is closely regulated, audited and inspected by the N.Y.S. Division of Cemeteries and operates in the public interest rather than as a profit-making venture. The managers of the cemetery are all employees of the corporation, not owners. All proceeds from the operation of the two cemeteries are retained by the cemeteries to be used exclusively for their maintenance and development.
The long term care of both cemeteries is assured by the corporation’s Permanent Maintenance Fund. By law, 10% of the purchase price of every grave, crypt, or niche must be placed into this fund. In addition, $35 from every burial goes into the fund. Assets of the fund are professionally managed with the intent that the proceeds from this fund will be adequate to pay for the maintenance of the cemeteries after all sources of revenue have been exhausted.
With all the above safeguards in place, Lot Owners of both White Haven Memorial Park and Canandaigua Lakeview Cemetery may be assured that every possible care is being taken to preserve and protect these cemeteries for countless generations to come.
