What is one of the primary responsibilities of a sexton?

The primary responsibility of a sexton is to manage the cemetery, which includes overseeing its operations and maintaining records related to burials. One of the key tasks in fulfilling this role is filing burial permits. This process involves ensuring that all necessary documentation is completed and submitted appropriately, allowing for legal compliance regarding burials. The sexton is crucial in maintaining accurate records of all interments, which helps families and funeral service providers track burial locations and complies with local regulations.

While conducting funerals, grading cemetery plots, and preparing obituaries may be related to end-of-life services, these tasks typically fall under different roles. For instance, conducting funerals is primarily the responsibility of funeral directors, grading plots is usually a task handled by grounds staff or landscapers, and preparing obituaries is often done by family members or funeral home staff. The unique role of the sexton focuses specifically on the administrative and management aspects of cemetery operations, making the responsibility of filing burial permits essential to their function.