What is perpetual care in relation to cemeteries?

Perpetual care refers to the arrangement made for the ongoing maintenance and upkeep of a cemetery. This typically involves funding that ensures that the cemetery grounds, including pathways, landscaping, and individual grave markers, are maintained over time, even after the families of the deceased can no longer care for them. This type of care is often funded through a trust or an endowment set up at the time of burial, allowing the cemetery to use the interest generated to cover maintenance costs. By establishing perpetual care, cemeteries ensure that they remain dignified and well-kept spaces for remembrance and reflection, preserving the graves for future generations.

The other options do not accurately represent the concept of perpetual care. Contracts for burial services are typically one-time agreements focused on immediate needs rather than ongoing maintenance. A garden area maintained by the family pertains to private care and personal responsibility rather than an institutional obligation. A decorative element in a graveyard does not convey the essential concept of upkeep and maintenance associated with perpetual care.