What does "perpetual care" mean concerning cemeteries?

Perpetual care refers to the long-term commitment to maintain cemetery grounds, ensuring they remain in good condition indefinitely. This is typically funded by an endowment, which is a financial arrangement where a portion of the funds received from grave purchases or burial plots is set aside. The income generated from this endowment is used to cover the ongoing maintenance, including landscaping, repairs, and general upkeep of the cemetery.

The significance of perpetual care lies in its assurance to families and loved ones that the final resting place of their deceased will be preserved and honored over time, regardless of changing circumstances. This contrasts with other options, which either imply limited or temporary care, or that no ongoing maintenance is necessary, both of which do not capture the true essence of what perpetual care entails in the context of cemetery management.