izanbar / Depositphotos.com
A new non-profit has been launched in Nova Scotia to help families who cannot afford grave markers, headstone repairs or other memorial work for loved ones.
Nova Scotia Obituaries, an online obituary platform, has created the Graves to Grace Society, a charitable initiative focused on providing free markers, plaques, and restoration services across the province.
The project is funded through a new pay-what-you-can model for obituary postings, with contributions directed toward supporting families who may not otherwise be able to cover memorial costs.
“We believe that all families should be able to memorialize a loved one and not be prohibited by cost,” said Alfred Reynolds, founder of Nova Scotia Obituaries and director of the new society. “With Graves to Grace, we’re turning community support into real, tangible dignity and remembrance for Nova Scotians.”
The society says it will offer fully funded grave markers, repair or cleaning services for aging headstones, and assistance for cemeteries struggling with neglected or damaged sites.
Families can apply directly through the Graves to Grace website, where they can outline their needs and eligibility.
Reynolds says the response from funeral homes, cemeteries, and community groups has been positive, with early interest from volunteers willing to help with restoration work.
The society is also seeking donors and partnerships to expand the number of families it can assist.
The organization says its broader goal is to make memorialization accessible to everyone, regardless of income, while helping preserve older cemeteries across the province.
