Which statement best describes a Historic Cemetery?

• A. It is a cemetery for new burials only.
• B. It is a cemetery owned by a private corporation.
• C. It contains remains of those who died before February 14, 1909 and is usually non-profit and closed to new burials.
• D. It is primarily used for cremated remains.

Answer: (C)

Historic cemeteries are kept as preserved historic sites, defined by the age of the remains they contain and their preservation status rather than by modern interment activity. The defining feature here is that it contains remains of people who died before February 14, 1909, which marks it as historically significant. These grounds are typically managed as non-profit or by a preservation-focused entity and are closed to new burials to protect their historic character and integrity. That’s why this statement best describes a Historic Cemetery: it emphasizes the pre-cutoff remains and the common non-profit, non-active-use nature. The other descriptions don't fit because they imply ongoing new burials, private corporate ownership, or a focus on cremated remains, none of which captures the historical preservation and the specific date-based distinction.