With 9,500 people buried in Killeen City Cemetery and the remaining plots sold, the property is short of land but could acquire more.
“The city plans to expand existing properties,” Killeen spokeswoman Janell Ford said.
She declined to say how much land might be needed, whether the city owns it or what property is being considered.
“There is nothing to release at this time,” she said.
The Herald reported Aug. 24 that city officials said the cemetery spans 51 acres, 29 of which are used for 10,000 plots. Another 22 acres is used for roads and walkways and a clubhouse, maintenance building and main office.
Durrett Parten, 67, told the newspaper in August that he inquired with the city cemetery about buying land near where his loved ones are buried, when he was told none of the 500 remaining lots were available.
“Staff did not notify residents that the plots were about to be sold,” Ford said.
The cemetery at 2408 Avenue E. Rancier was once a burial place for the Fleming family in 1856, according to the city’s website. With the construction of Camp Hood – now Fort Hood – in 1942, 768 bodies were exhumed from 15 cemeteries and reinterred at the East Rancier Avenue site. Killeen took over the cemetery in 1950.
Ford said plots for adult residents cost $1,000. For infant residents, they are $250. Plots for non-resident adults cost $1,635 and $275 for non-resident infants.
Other cemeteries are in Killeen – Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery at 11463 State Highway 195 and Killeen Memorial Park at 3516 Lake Road. This cemetery belongs to Letum.
“Residents can purchase any available cemetery plots as they see fit,” Ford told the Herald in August, referring to non-city-owned cemeteries.
According perfectmemorials.com, 20,272 registered cemeteries are in the United States. About 7.8 billion people live on Earth, but more than 108 billion people have been born since the beginning of human existence. At this rate, nearly 14 people have died for every person still alive.
