‘It’s sad to see’: Families react after dozens of tombstones damaged in N.B. cemetery

Families are reeling after more than 40 headstones were vandalized at a New Brunswick cemetery, leaving a small staff with a major cleanup effort.

Families whose loved ones’ headstones were knocked over in a Moncton cemetery last week are shocked and hurt by the act of vandalism.

Susan McCarthy’s late husband Edwin Muise, 58, died two summers ago after a two-year battle with colon cancer. A lot of care went into choosing a headstone to reflect his love for his children and passions – hiking, nature and birds.

“The last thing you can do for somebody you love, if that’s part of your tradition, is to give them a place, you bury them. And it’s literally the last act of love you can do,” McCarthy said.

The fact that his headstone was toppled over along with about 40 others last week, is confusing and hurtful, Susan said.

“It just baffles me why somebody would want to do that,” she said.

“I’m so mad for him. How dare you do that to my husband’s site.”

Given how the granite headstone was attached to a base with rebar, she expects it would’ve taken someone a lot of time and effort to get it loose.

“And they would have to have rocked that stone back and forth and back and forth,” said McCarthy.

On Friday morning, staff at Elmwood Cemetery in Moncton discovered more than 40 headstones were knocked over in the 40-acre cemetery -- many in the older section. The damage is widespread and seems random.

“I think it’s disgusting that someone would come in here and purposefully knock over headstones,” said cemetery superintendent Sara Hope.

Staff called Codiac RCMP Friday morning, who arrived within an hour. CTV News reached out to police for details about their investigation but have yet to hear back.

Elmwood Cemetery has existed since the 1800s. It holds Moncton’s history, as well as Steve Campbell’s great-great-grandfather who died in 1874. His monument was toppled.

“It’s sad to see that happen. And we’ll fix it,” said Campbell.

Staff managed to put 10 of the headstones back in place but others are cracked, broken, or so heavy, a crane is likely needed.

“We don’t have all the proper equipment that we need to lift these massive monuments. Some of them are ten feet tall,” said Hope.

From cracked marble and granite to large stones requiring to be moved, the repairs will be a huge task for a small staff.

They’ve received offers for help from other cemeteries and community members to fix what can be fixed. The cost of the damage is unclear, but Elmwood Cemetery President Jim Rogers said if they have to replace the monuments, it’ll likely cost in excess of half a million dollars.

“The total cost of what it’s going to cost us to put them back up and repair them, I know it’s going to run into the thousands,” said Rogers. “But I really can’t put a handle on it because it depends on how much, is going to be volunteered or, donated.”

Rogers notes he’s hopeful that with help, to be able to get most of these back to where they should be before the snow flies.

Moncton’s Mayor Paulette Thériault points out how the Elmwood Cemetery this is not just sacred ground but an outdoor museum, crucial to preserve.

“It’s a very important part of the story of Moncton and it’s very sad to see this happening,” she said, adding she hopes the city and heritage committee can meet with the cemetery to help discuss a resolution.