MAPLEWOOD, Minn. (UPI) -- It used to be much more common but the Pierres of Maplewood, Minn., now are a rarity -- a family that lives in a cemetery.
Lynn and Ralph Pierre have lived and worked at Union Cemetery for most of their 30-year marriage, as well as raised three kids within the cemetery's gates, the St. Paul (Minn.) Pioneer Press reported Monday.
As it turns out, they said a cemetery is not a bad place to raise a family. "We've got a big back yard," said Lynn Pierre, 51. "It's very peaceful."
It was once common for cemetery directors to live on-site for security reasons, but the Pierres are one of only a handful left in the Twin Cities area, said Ron Gjerde, director of the Minnesota Association of Cemeteries.
Most cemeteries rely on contracted security firms nowadays, trusting better fencing and gates to keep vandals out. But the Pierres say they are not worried about security.
There is a downside to living in a place of business, however.
"Summertime is busy," said Lynn Pierre. "People think we should be open all the time."
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Comments: 9
I used to go to school with a guy whose family ran a funeral home and there house was on the back side of it. We all thought that was weird and the poor kid got teased quite a bit.