DALLAS, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Visitation hours at a Luzerne County cemetery are on pause. The only access point in and out of the graveyard collapsed last week. The entrance into Fern Knoll Burial Park in Dallas is destroyed.
The bridge, serving as the only access point, collapsed last week.
One woman who has family buried there hopes a solution can be found soon, as she still learns to deal with her husband's death.
Staci Miller is still coping with the death of her husband, who tragically passed away two years ago.
He is buried at Fern Knoll Burial Park, and the only entrance to the cemetery no longer exists.
"Panic definitely set in a little bit, anxiety, and with the holidays, I won't be able to put flowers," Miller explained.
The bridge built over Toby Creek is now caved in.
Cemetery Caretaker Paul Kaminiski tells 28/22 News it collapsed this past Friday when a garbage truck drove over it.
He says everyone is okay and believes the collapse was due to erosion.
NEPA residents encouraged to turn in expired medicine
Along with Miller's husband, the cemetery is home to thousands of graves and sees dozens of visitors each day.
"I just want to see. I just want to sit there for a minute," Miller explained.
Kaminski says he's been in communication with Dallas Township officials and the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) to get rid of debris and look to build a new bridge, but it won't be cheap.
He says affording cemetery maintenance has been difficult with prices exceeding $3,000 just this year, and paying for a new bridge is financially challenging.
Miller says the scenery, history, and wildlife of the cemetery is what drew her here for her husband's final resting place.
"This tree right here, behind the dumpster, there's a huge groundhog den under it," Miller added.
The cemetery borders residence halls at Misericordia University, giving at least some access to the grounds.
Hazleton school kitchen passes inspection
Kaminski says funerals will still take place, and the university has given the cemetery the okay to use its property for limited access to the graveyard, but only for cemetery staff.
Families will not be allowed at the gravesite.
Miller understands this will not be a quick fix, but wants to grieve her late husband when she wants to.
"It's like a sanctuary. I promise to be respectful, but we need to all be kind and work together on it," Miller said.
Kaminski says the bridge was not insured.
28/22 News reached out to both the Dallas Township Manager, but I haven't heard back.
28/22 News did hear back from DEP, who says they are aware of the problem.
A GoFundMe to donate to bridge repairs can be found online.
28/22 News will have the latest information as updates become available.
