historical Background
The beginnings of the current Highland Memorial Cemetery date back to 1925 when approximately 20 acres at the existing site on Highland Avenue in South Portland were deeded to unincorporated land bought from Charles W. Brown and Henry E. Cash. A cemetery was begun and they were incorporated.
In 1952 Floyd F. Appell obtained majority ownership of the corporate shares, and subsequently set up an irrevocable trust using ten per cent of sales receipts for “perpetual care.”
The heirs of Messrs. Brown and Cash conveyed additional land on Highland Avenue to the corporation in 1953. In 1956 operation of the cemetery was turned over to Hilton A. Piper, Jr. and Oscar F. Carroll. Financial disputes, beginning in 1957, caused all corporate funds and trust funds to be lost. After that date no corporate records exist.
Non-Profit Community Service
In 1987 the South Portland Lions Club, as a community service, volunteered to assume the administration and oversight of the cemetery and a new, non-profit corporation was formed, the Highland Memorial Cemetery Association. The South Portland Lions believe that this property is sacredly devoted to the dignified interment of the dead, and that the strict observance of all that is proper in a place so dedicated is required.
No officer or member of the association or the Lions Club receives any salary or compensation for services rendered. All income from invested funds will be devoted to upkeep and care of the whole property.
At A Glance
- We have 14 acres, with 7 acres currently in use.
- We have a large inventory of lots for sale. Gravesites may be purchased in lots of one or more. Financing is available.
- All gravesites include perpetual care.
- We are open annually, April 1st to December 1st, for interments.
- We have a full time superintendent and adequate staff to maintain the cemetery.
- We are a member of the Maine Cemetery Association.
