We the Burge Cemetery Board are asking for your financial support as we try to recover from the destruction caused by a tornado in rural New London, Iowa that affected most of the cemetery on Tuesday, April 16th, 2024. The tornado toppled 344 headstones, blowing them off their bases and damaging several of the oldest stones in the cemetery. We lost 18 mature trees that must be removed because of the high winds. All that’s left of the storage garage and its contents is the foundation of the building. The tractor used for cremation services was relocated twenty feet from where it was stored and landed on its top, resulting in a total loss of our tractor.

The Board wants nothing more than to honor the loved ones who are buried at the cemetery, but unfortunately there is no insurance coverage for the knocked over headstones or damaged trees. The storage building, its contents and the tractor are underinsured. There just won’t be enough insurance money to cover all the repairs from the storm and lost equipment.

We are so grateful for all the help we have received with cleaning up debris and limbs from the New London, Danville, and Winfield Mt. Union school districts as well as all the community volunteers. We also have several monument companies who have reached out to us and graciously volunteered their time, expertise, and equipment to help set the headstones back on their bases.

The Burge Cemetery Board would like to thank everyone for the support they have given us this last week as we recover from the tornado. We ask that you kindly consider donating to the restoration process at Burge Cemetery. Your generosity will help us put back what was destroyed and restore peace to your loved ones resting place.