Maverick County Cemetery Near Capacity and Closure

By: Jose G. Landa, Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc., Copyright 2015

Maverick County Commissioners Court discussed the future closing of the Maverick County Cemetery during their meeting held on Monday, October 26, 2015 due to the depletion of burial spaces. The Maverick County Cemetery is located at the intersection of Arlington Street and Second Street in Eagle Pass, Texas.

During discussion of Agenda Item No. 27, County Commissioner Precinct 4 Roberto Ruiz brought up certain issues that the county is currently experiencing at the Maverick County Cemetery. “We’re running out of land available for burials at the Maverick County Cemetery,” said Ruiz.

Maverick County Planning Director April Rodriguez presented Commissioners Court with a summary of the burials for the past three months, including 10 regular burials in July, five regular burials in August, eight regular burials and two pauper burials in September 2015.

Rodriguez stated that in total the county has only has 36 burial plots remaining in the Maverick County Cemetery, including 28 for regular burials and eight earmarked for pauper burials.

Ruiz stated that it be safe to say that the Maverick county cemetery will be closing down by the end of this year and that he recommended notifying the community for their future burial plans of family members.

“It’s my understanding that the only obligation that a county has in the State of Texas is to take care of its paupers,” said Ruiz.

Ruiz added that the plots that have already been purchased would be honored and that the closing is specifically for any future burials after burial spaces have run out.

Ruiz stated that one of the issues that is currently being seen is problems with the available plots is the elevation in which they are in. Ruiz gave an example of how some burial plots were flooded with the recent heavy rains during October 8, 2015.   “Whatever is left of the lots are in the lower section of the cemetery,” said Ruiz.

Rodriguez stated it was a recommendation and at the discretion of Commissioners Court if the Maverick County cemetery would be closed down sooner to leave burial plot spaces for pauper burials.

“If there are only eight plots for pauper burials, you’re still going to need more space, if there’s more than that,” said Rodriguez.

Ruiz recommended the County notify the proper stakeholders of the situation that the county is running out of burial plot spaces at the Maverick County Cemetery.

Ruiz stated that the County should consult with legal counsel to determine what are its available options, including a query in the near future for other property deemed exclusive for pauper burials as the county is obligated by law to assure the proper burials for these persons.

Ruiz suggested that the County might have an interest in establishing a pauper cemetery at the Radar Base in northern Maverick County, approximately 12 miles outside the City of Eagle Pass.

Commissioners Court decided to authorize staff to continue researching and looking into the proper steps needed to proceed with closing down the Maverick County Cemetery and also honor the already reserved and bought for burial plots which are still available to those persons who have purchased a burial plot.