THE DAVIS CEMETERY DISTRICT A California Special District serving the needs of our diverse community
What s a Special District? A special district is a form of independent local government created by a local community to meet a specific need. We are not the city; we are not the county. We belong directly to YOU, the residents of our special district. We re governed by an independent Board of Trustees who volunteer their services. We re funded by property taxes collected within the District boundaries, augmented by fees charged for services we render. California s 2,300 special districts include airports, cemeteries, fire protection, flood control, harbor/ports, libraries, mosquito abatement/vector control, police, reclamation, recreation/open space, sanitation/sewer, transit, utility, water, & waste management.
Our Board of Trustees appointed by Supervisor Mariko Yamada to serve YOU: Ted Puntillo John Bonner Ann M. Evans Dennis Dingemans Val Dolcini (pictured with Superintendent Joe Cattarin and Office Manager Susan Finkleman)
We ve got a vision *To strengthen the cemetery as an inviting space for remembrance, contemplation, and healing. *To enhance the cemetery's ability to memorialize the history of Davis, its people, and the original Central Valley landscape through art, architecture and design. *To maintain the Davis Cemetery District as a center of local history, celebrating the diverse cultural heritage of the people of Davis.
*To create an attractive environment that will encourage people to come and enjoy art, nature, and civic history. *To enhance the existing ecological function of the cemetery as an open green space and a sanctuary for native plant and animal life. *To reduce the use of pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides while maintaining a healthy living landscape.
And we ve got a plan To actualize our vision, we partnered with local architect Jon Hammond in designing an integrated, cohesive Master Plan to guide cemetery development for the next 50 years.
We are working with UC Davis, the Audubon Society, the City of Davis, the Yolo County Resource Conservation District, the Lower Putah Creek Coordinating Committee, and the Sacramento-Yolo Mosquito and Vector Control District as we implement our Master Plan.
An Ecological Partner We re powered by solar. The last swale within the boundaries of Davis is on our grounds; we re restoring it with native plantings. We practice integrated pest management. We have over 23 species of birds as well as a variety of other wildlife. We re designated as a wildlife habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. We re the only public cemetery in California to offer the green burial option.
A Community Partner We make the support of local businesses a priority. We hold annual community events. Watch for new ones as our Master Plan progresses. Our labyrinths are open 24-7 for contemplative use. A gathering area is coming soon. We strive to serve our diverse cultural constituencies with sensitivity. We have been a keeper of Davis history since 1855. We offer a unique venue to sketch, write, read, or study wildlife.
A walk through the cemetery is a walk through time.
Interment Choices Pre-need and at need From green burial to fully protective vaults Companion crypting Free plots for qualified veterans. In-ground cremation interment Coming soon: Scattering areas Cremation garden/pond We allow family copings and a wide range of memorial markers. We accommodate all religious traditions.
VISIT US In person or on the web at www.daviscemetery.org A place of beauty A place of art A place of history A place of nature A place of healing The Davis Cemetery District has a place for YOU Photo credits: Joe Cattarin, Jon Hammond, Jon Katz, and Brandon Long