A RIBBON CUTTING ceremony marked the opening of the Marpi Public Cemetery, located adjacent to the Veterans Cemetery, on Friday.
Owned and managed by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands government, the Marpi Public Cemetery was established by Public Law 11-117 in 1999.
The ceremony was highlighted by a blessing of the grounds by leaders of three Christian denominations: Bishop Romeo Convocar, Rev. Michael Rodgers, and Pastor Eric Abragan.
According to development plans, the site features 5,000 double crypts. In an address, Angel Demapan, deputy assistant secretary for insular and international affairs of the U.S. Department of the Interior, said DOI provided “just under $3 million” back in 2008 for the crypts.
The cemetery’s regulations state that the Department of Lands and Natural Resources is responsible for the cemetery’s upkeep. To that end, DLNR is expected to trim the grass, repair or restore structures or fencing, keep cemetery roads accessible, and maintain trash receptacles and disposal, among other duties.
DLNR is also responsible for providing uniform grave markers, opening and closing the crypts, and assigning burial plots.
The regulations specify that to obtain a burial plot, residents must fill out a plot assignment application and submit it with the decedent’s death certificate and a copy of the burial permit obtained from the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.
All expenses incurred by survivors for funeral director and transportation services are their responsibility.
The cemetery is also the final resting place of the late Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, who was buried there on Saturday.
The Marpi Public Cemetery is located adjacent to the Veterans Cemetery.
CNMI officials cut the ceremonial ribbon at the Marpi Public Cemetery on Friday, Aug. 1, 2025.
There are 5,000 double crypts at the Marpi Public Cemetery.
