Despite Economy, Arlington Thriving
By: Daniel Applegate, President
February 16, 2009

As the economy has tap danced on the precipice of disaster, there is near panic on many fronts and most people wonder where it will all end. There is a definite and palpable scent of fear in the air. Many businesses are folding and most, if not folding, are down-sizing, right-sizing or retro-fitting. All are feeling the pinch and the pain. The ability to borrow money has regressed dramatically – reversing the previous liberal qualifications which merely required a borrower to fog up a mirror.

While many service sector organizations struggle, we here at Arlington are finding something to the contrary: people are continuing to seek out our services. While some may suggest that the self-evident nature of our service is “recession-proof,” we believe there are really at least four factors involved.

The first is the self-evident fact of life – and death. Obviously, there is an ongoing need for cemetery services – at least by those who believe in society’s more traditional burial rites, notwithstanding the growth in alternative rites such as cremation and the more recent interest in “green burials.” There is and will continue to be, at least in the foreseeable future, an American cemetery tradition when memorializing loved-ones.

The second reason has a more direct relationship to the struggling economy. With the market in a state of flux, an event also known as “tanking,” many people are interested in securing a “safe” investment option. Planning final disposition needs, even pre-planning, remains one of those “safer” choices in life. Cemeteries, at least here in Ohio, are required to place their funds in trusts, generally of a low risk nature, to insure that such funds will be available at the time of need. The Arlington Investment Committee, a subcommittee of the Board of Trustees, has worked diligently during the past few years to insure the security of its trusted funds. This is simply a function of due diligence and good stewardship.

The third reason is perhaps more unique to Arlington than to other cemeteries. One of our primary goals is to assist as many people as possible in securing their cemetery and final disposition needs, prior to a need arising.  Pre-planning provides some relief from the shock and grief - the raw emotions that engulf survivors at the time of death of a loved-one.  In doing so, we realize that not everyone always has the “cash-on-hand” to comfortably make such purchases and therefore, we have developed several programs, one of which will fit into everyone’s budget. It makes doing the right thing (i.e., planning in advance of need) a more comfortable and achievable option.

Finally, the last reason is entirely unique to Arlington and its reputation of excellence in the community. Known as a non-profit company that can be depended upon, Arlington has developed lasting relationships with literally tens of thousands of people who over the years, in their time of need, have entrusted the memories of their loved-ones, a solemn and exclusive responsibility, to Arlington’s care. Community involvement and service is the foundation - the bedrock - upon which Arlington rests. It is also the fundamental reason that, even in this time of uncertainty, people continue to seek out Arlington and its services.