How the Constellation of Living Memorials Works

The Constellation of Living Memorials (CLM) represents a groundbreaking approach to redefining community engagement in historic cemeteries. Rapid urbanization has led to a disconnection from an authentic sense of place, including the memories of those we honor, histories to remember, and the surrounding natural environment.  By reimagining these spaces as mixed-use areas, CLM creates a tapestry that educates about local culture and emphasizes the importance of restoring native ecosystems, bridging the gap between humanity and nature, one cemetery at a time.

As Dallas (all cities included) undergoes exponential growth, outdoor spaces, including cemeteries, will be vital for improving public health by fostering a robust ecosystem. Urbanization has disrupted the native ecosystem, and one of CLM’s goals is to tackle this issue, which affects the health of both humans and wildlife.

Engaging the neighboring communities of each cemetery is central to the ongoing maintenance of these historic sites. This tackles the complex issue arising when families relocate or pass away, which can lead to cemeteries becoming dumping grounds or attracting crime, including drug trafficking and prostitution.

CLM empowers the community by providing tools that encourage proactive engagement in celebrating the circle of life.

Criteria to be involved in preserving cultural and natural history:

 We request that you include in your stationery, website, banners, collateral, and social media channels that your cemetery is “A Star in the Constellation of Living Memorials Program” by adding our logo. Please request a high-resolution logo for printed materials.

Cultural History Component

As a recipient of the Hunt Institute SMU Texas Impact Enterprise Award, CLM is included in the Texas Impact Map Hub, a pioneering mapping platform showcasing the diverse impact of enterprises across various sectors in Texas.

CLM has developed a cultural archeological curriculum that offers guidelines for headstone cleaning, records conditions for repair, and maps GPS locations to interface with the Genealogical Society and access grave databases.

 To foster community awareness and engagement, participate in and/or create public art exhibitions and storytelling through live biography performances.

Produced a seven-part educational documentary series donated to the Dallas Library system, “ Warren Ferris Cemetery: A Future As Well As a Past “ (CLM’s case study).

Documentary Segment 1,” Friends of the Warren Ferris Cemetery Introduction”

Documentary Segment 3: “Warren Angus Ferris, Surveyor, and His Impact on the Growth of Dallas” featuring guest speaker Chris Freeman.

Documentary Segment 6, “Texan by Nature: Ferris Cemetery, A Conversation for Successful Land Conservation,” features guest speaker Rachel Seets, a Prairie Restoration Expert and Native Prairie Associate of Texas, discussing CLM’s environmental impact.

Documentary Segment 7: “Ferris Cemetery’s Pocket Prairie and Woodland Forest Restoration” featuring guest speaker Victoria Clow, Cemetery Archaeologist (CLM’s cultural impact).

Steps to Success:

CLM developed a CLM lesson plan for the Community College Biological Anthropology Lab Science course, using a STEM-based syllabus designed to accompany the Introduction to Biological Anthropology (ANTH2401) course at Dallas College. One of the more popular science courses, the lesson plan will align with the commonly used community college textbook at https://explorations.americananthro.org/. The activity will be shared at https://explorations. americananthro.org/index.php/lab-&-activities-manual/ is included in the online manual to be adopted nationwide.

 Natural History Component

Allocate at least one-eighth of the property to create a native wildlife habitat. Native habitats are essential for reestablishing a healthy ecosystem that has evolved over millennia. The relationship between a region’s native plants, trees, insects, and animals has been disrupted; therefore, reintroducing native vegetation is crucial for fostering a balanced ecosystem.  What was once considered unwanted in a natural setting, such as insects and rodents, is integral to societal health.  Animals and insects maintain the balance of a healthy ecosystem.

 Steps to success:

Remove invasive plants unless they were intentionally planted as part of cultural practices, and nurture the native species that begin to grow. Hidden seed banks, shielded from sunlight for decades, have often been outcompeted by invasive species, suffocated by lawns, or destroyed by mowing. You may discover that you have an endangered species or what was once believed to be an extinct species on the property.

 Do not spray herbicides to remove mowed areas; this could kill the native plants.

After removing invasive plant species, sow native seeds or plant vegetation in the area. Seeding and planting should occur in early spring or fall to ensure the area can withstand the summer heat.

 Generally, it takes three years to grow a mature garden. Water the area selectively during summer or winter droughts to help establish the new garden; after that, no additional watering is needed. In the long term, maintenance costs will be greatly reduced.

Maine University has sponsored the development of the Constellation of Living Memorials Guide: Reimagining Historic Cemeteries as Wildlife Habitats for Community Engagement for nationwide use.  Texas A&M is currently developing the CLM Guide for Texas to be completed Nov. 2025. 

We offer a proven, successful program backed by empirical evidence of replicable success that provides significant benefits. What we bring to the table is a reliable, replicable program with undeniable positive impact. We have concluded the second year of the two-year Constellation of Living Memorials pilot program and are rolling out city, state and nationwide.

 For more information, contact Julie Fineman, President and founder of the Constellation of Living Memorials, a program created by the Friends of the Warren Ferris Cemetery, a 501c3.                   Julie@Constellationoflivingmemorials.org