No one has ever gotten out of this world alive. Too soon we will all lie under the sod with a marker that gives brief information about our life.

The story on Conrad Hutchinson (Aug. 12) caring for his family burial plot in Canton showed a man who is proud of his roots and likes who he is. Our ancestors may not have been famous but they generally did the best they could each day. Without them we would not be here.

There are many cemeteries lovingly cared for by current generations and there are also many that are totally neglected. Sadly, even town officials break the law to acquire desirable land, as recently happened in Cutler – unfortunately not an isolated case.

Is six feet of hallowed land too much to ask for a life that brought life to many descendants? I think not. Cemetery laws are violated every day, and families are forced to take action at their own expense in civil court.

I would love to see the day when every family took care of the resting place of ancestors, but until that happens, I am grateful to live in a town such as Leeds that takes care of its cemeteries as a public trust.

Marilyn Burgess, Leeds