Richland Cemetery

Photos provided by Richland County Coroner’s Office.There were about two dozen residents who gathered in a small cemetery last Thursday for a burial ceremony at the end of a dirt lane off Clemson Road. The Richland County paupers’ cemetery is a final resting place for those whose remains are either unidentified, unclaimed, or whose families cannot afford a funeral.Richland County Coroner Gary Watts has been conducting burial ceremonies at the paupers’ cemetery to honor the deceased since he became coroner in 2001.“Regardless of a person’s place in life when they die, whether they are living in a mansion or under a bridge, I feel everyone deserves respect and dignity in death,” he said. “Keeping remains catalogued on a shelf somewhere was not very dignified to me. We started holding the ceremonies because I knew we could do better.”There are approximately 800 people whose cremated remains are buried in the cemetery each year. Associate Pastor Dr. Tim Phillips of Riverland Hills Baptist Church presides over the services. Phillips recited scripture and read aloud the names of the deceased during last Thursday’s ceremony. He has volunteered his time for the services over the past 15 years.When the Coroner’s Office is unable to identify a person’s next of kin, or cannot identify the person at all, staff begins an in-depth process to search for answers. Deputy Coroner and Forensic Anthropologist Dr. William Stevens said they use every means possible to identify a person. “DNA, fingerprints, dental and x-ray comparison, facial reconstruction and postings on national websites,” he said. Additional searches are conducted if the family cannot be located.Stevens organizes the burial ceremonies at the paupers’ cemetery.  He digs holes where the remains will be placed, and marks each grave with a metal plate with the person’s name (if known) and date of birth/death. Stevens is usually the firs...