Beneath our feet lies hallowed ground at Sterling Cemetery. This isn’t just any burial site. Sterling Cemetery tells a story of community, history, and preservation.
Sterling Cemetery actually consists of two properties. There’s the older section deeded in 1892. The newer section was established in 1914. The older section covers 2.2 acres. The newer one spans 4.8 acres. You could say it is a tale of two cemeteries, side by side.
The “Old” Sterling Cemetery is located at the corner of West Church Road and Cascades Parkway. The address is 21985 Cascades Parkway. The “New” Sterling Cemetery is located at 45835 West Church Road.
The Sterling Cemetery is a traditional “country” cemetery. This means it offers full-body burials in caskets. It also allows cremations placed in urns. Single burial sites can accommodate a single casket. Alternatively, they can hold a casket and one urn. Two urns are also permitted. For cremated remains, a Columbarium provides niches. Each niche can house up to two appropriately sized urns.
Now let’s talk about preservation. The Old Sterling Cemetery saw restoration in 1976. Dead trees and undergrowth were removed. The old wrought iron fence was repainted. Headstones were reinstalled and straightened. Inscriptions were recovered through rubbing.
Fast forward to April 2012. A remarkable project took place. David Lewis, an Eagle Scout candidate, designed and managed the reinstallation of stones. He also recorded information. Lewis supervised a large group of fellow scouts from Crew 1173. Parents and siblings joined in. They performed trimming and general cleanup. His diagram of the headstone layout has been included on the Sterling Cemetery website.
Families rest here. Among them are Eleanor May Thorne Howell and George Douglas Thorne Jr. These are just two names in a tapestry of lives. Each marker tells a silent story.
The Sterling Cemetery Company manages the property as a non-profit. They ensure its care and upkeep. The cemetery welcomes visitors daily from dawn to dusk. Note that glass containers are prohibited within the grounds. Also, during winter weather, exercise caution.
As you wander through Sterling Cemetery, remember its dual nature. Reflect on the efforts to preserve its history. Consider the lives commemorated here. It is more than a cemetery. It is a place of remembrance. It is a testament to community dedication. It is a slice of Loudoun County’s past.