STURGIS - The City of Sturgis will open a Scatter Garden at Bear Butte Cemetery in the coming month, Sturgis Public Works Director Rick Bush said. 

Bear Butte Cemetery features meticulously maintained grounds, a variety of unique memorials and tombstones, and offers both traditional burial and cremation options.  

Construction is underway for the addition of the Scatter Garden which is expected to be open in time for Memorial Day 2025. This area will be available to families to scatter their loved one's remains. The cost is $75 for the permit and record and $25 for the perpetual maintenance. 

"The garden will be a beautiful, tranquil space featuring benches and natural landscaping—designed to invite reflection and connection with loved ones who have passed,” Bush said. "We’re excited to open it in time for Memorial Day, offering our community a new and serene space for remembrance."

Nationally, the cremation rate has surpassed burials. According to the National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA), the U.S. cremation rate was more than 60% in 2023. It is projected to reach nearly 80% by 2040.

Some of the reasons families are choosing cremation include cost, simplicity, and flexibility.

"As more families choose cremation, scattering gardens have become an important option — offering both flexibility and a permanent place of remembrance,” Bush said. 

This tranquil garden will feature landscaping, benches, and a fenced area that provides families with:

• A peaceful and accessible place to remember loved ones
• An official record of the final resting place
• A meaningful alternative to traditional interment

The new Scatter Garden is located in the northern section of Bear Butte Cemetery.

The current city ordinance did not allow for cremated remains to be disposed of by scattering the remains within the Bear Butte Cemetery, but the city council, at its meeting April 21, approved an amendment to the ordinance to allow for a Scatter Garden.

Bush said the Scatter Garden will provide another service to residents and increase the longevity of Bear Butte Cemetery. Contrary to recent speculation, Bear Butte Cemetery is not nearing capacity, he said.

A recent inventory report shows:

• 8,063 total cemetery lots
• 5,371 sold with a burial
• 1,173 sold but unfilled
• 297 restricted (due to trees or rock outcroppings)
• 1,222 lots currently available for purchase

With current trends showing:

• 6 lots sold since January 2025
• 31 sold in the past year
• 181 sold over the past 5 years

Bush says that Bear Butte Cemetery has many decades of space remaining to serve the community.

Financial & Economic Benefits 

• Establishing a scatter garden can generate additional revenue for the cemetery through scattering fees, memorial plaques, or donation opportunities. 
• Lower maintenance costs compared to traditional burial plots, as there are no headstones or vaults to maintain. 
• Could attract more families to choose the cemetery for cremation services, increasing overall utilization.

Because there will be no tombstones in the Scatter Garden, the city is also introducing CIMS (Cemetery Information Management System) Burial Search — an interactive software that allows individuals to locate loved ones’ burial sites and provides walking directions to the memorial location. 

In the case of the Scatter Garden, the individual’s name and other pertinent information is entered into the CIMS program. Someone visiting the cemetery can scan a QR code that will take them to the Burial Search website where they can provide information to search for a loved one. 

This new digital tool enhances accessibility and offers a meaningful way for families to connect with the memory of those who have passed.

Bush said these updates reflect Sturgis’ ongoing dedication to preserving the beauty, accessibility, and heritage of Bear Butte Cemetery for current and future generations.

City now offers Burial Search

The Burial Search program helps the public find information about departed loved ones. Powered by CIMS cemetery software and geographically-accurate maps, the information is always up-to-date. Walk to grave directions using GPS-enabled smart devices, visitors can follow simple directional arrows to find their loved ones' graves. Find the program here: https://tinyurl.com/2jjc84uf