Find answers about donations, volunteering, burial records, visiting hours, our nonprofit status, and how Turpin Cemetery Inc serves families in Irvine and Estill County.
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Turpin Cemetery Inc is a federally recognized 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization (EIN: 81-5231382) dedicated to preserving sacred burial grounds, restoring historic monuments, supporting grieving families, and maintaining the heritage of Irvine and Estill County, Kentucky. Our mission is to ensure that every person laid to rest in our care is remembered with dignity, and that families have a peaceful, accessible place to honor their loved ones for generations to come.
Yes. Turpin Cemetery Inc is a registered 501(c)(3) tax-exempt charitable organization under the Internal Revenue Code. Our Employer Identification Number (EIN) is 81-5231382. Donations made to Turpin Cemetery Inc are generally tax-deductible to the fullest extent permitted by law. We provide written acknowledgment for all contributions of $250 or more, and email receipts for online donations. Please consult your tax advisor regarding your specific situation.
You can make a secure one-time or recurring donation through our Donate page. We accept online contributions via our payment processor and also welcome donations by check made payable to "Turpin Cemetery Inc" and mailed to PO BOX 688, Irvine, KY 40336. You may designate your gift to a specific fund such as grounds restoration, monument repair, heritage archives, or our general operating fund. Every dollar directly supports our nonprofit programs.
Yes. Online donors receive an immediate email receipt upon successful transaction. Donors who contribute by mail receive an acknowledgment letter within 10 business days. For donations of $250 or more in a calendar year, we provide a written statement as required by IRS regulations. The receipt includes our legal name (Turpin Cemetery Inc), EIN (81-5231382), the date and amount of your gift, and a statement that no goods or services were provided in exchange. If you need a duplicate receipt, email info@turpincemeteryinc.org.
Absolutely. Recurring donations provide steady support for year-round grounds maintenance, seasonal beautification, and ongoing monument restoration. On our Donate page, select the "Monthly" option before completing your gift. You may change or cancel your recurring donation at any time by contacting us at info@turpincemeteryinc.org with your name and the email address used for the donation. We will process your request within five business days.
We welcome volunteers of all ages and skill levels. Visit our Volunteer page to review current opportunities — including groundskeeping, headstone cleaning, wildflower planting, event support, and archival assistance — and complete the sign-up form. No prior experience is required; we provide on-site training and all necessary tools. Volunteers under 18 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Group volunteer days for churches, schools, and civic organizations can be arranged by contacting us in advance.
Our cemetery grounds are open to visitors daily from dawn to dusk. We ask that all visitors respect the solemn nature of the site — keep voices low, stay on established pathways, supervise children, and leash pets at all times. Guided walking tours are offered on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 AM; no reservation is required. For private group tours or special memorial visits, please contact us at least one week in advance. Our administrative office is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST, by appointment.
Burial record requests can be submitted through our Contact form by selecting "Burial Records & Genealogy" as the subject, or by emailing info@turpincemeteryinc.org with the full name of the deceased, approximate date of death, and any known plot or section information. Our Heritage Archives program has digitized records dating back to the 1800s. Basic record lookups are provided at no charge to family members. Extensive genealogical research requests may require additional processing time. We aim to respond within 10 business days.
Turpin Cemetery Inc manages burial arrangements in accordance with our governing documents and applicable Kentucky law. Availability of plots varies by section. Families interested in burial arrangements should contact us directly to discuss options, pricing, and our perpetual care policies. As a nonprofit, revenue from plot arrangements is reinvested into grounds maintenance, monument preservation, and community memorial programs rather than distributed to shareholders or private owners.
Yes. Our Monument Restoration program repairs cracked, leaning, and weathered headstones using conservation-approved methods. Priority is given to veterans' markers, historically significant stones, and monuments at risk of further deterioration. Families may request restoration through our Contact form. Depending on funding and volunteer capacity, some restorations are completed at reduced or no cost to families in financial need. Donations to our restoration fund directly support this work.
We host several annual community memorial events including a spring Remembrance Day gathering, a Veterans Day honor ceremony, a holiday luminaria walk in December, and periodic interfaith prayer services. Event dates and details are announced on our News page and in our email newsletter. Families are welcome to place flowers and flags on graves at any time during visiting hours. Please remove wilted arrangements to help us maintain the beauty of the grounds.
We are committed to transparent stewardship of every dollar. Approximately 45% of donations fund grounds preservation and monument restoration, 25% supports memorial programs and community events, 15% maintains our heritage archives and digitization efforts, 10% covers necessary administrative costs, and 5% funds community outreach. Detailed financial breakdowns are available in our annual reports on the About page. As a 501(c)(3), we file Form 990 annually with the IRS and make summary financial information available to the public upon request.
We actively partner with churches, veterans' organizations, historical societies, schools, and civic groups throughout Estill County. Partnership opportunities include sponsored volunteer days, co-hosted memorial events, fundraising campaigns, and educational programs about local history. If your organization is interested in partnering with us, please contact info@turpincemeteryinc.org with a description of your group and proposed collaboration. Our board reviews partnership requests on a rolling basis.
Because donations are voluntary charitable contributions to a 501(c)(3) organization, they are generally non-refundable. However, we will issue refunds in cases of duplicate charges, unauthorized transactions, or clerical errors. Refund requests must be submitted within 30 days of the transaction to info@turpincemeteryinc.org. Please see our full Refund & Donation Policy for complete details on processing times, recurring donation cancellations, and tax implications.
We are continually improving accessibility across our grounds. Main entrance pathways are graded for wheelchair and walker access, and accessible parking is available near the primary gate. Some older sections of the cemetery have uneven terrain that may be difficult to navigate. We offer assisted visits and motorized cart escorts for individuals with mobility needs when arranged in advance. Please contact us at least 48 hours before your visit so we can accommodate you. Read our full Accessibility Statement for more information.
Every newsletter email includes an "Unsubscribe" link at the bottom. You may also email info@turpincemeteryinc.org with the subject line "Unsubscribe" and we will remove your address within five business days. We send approximately two to four emails per month covering restoration updates, volunteer opportunities, and memorial event announcements. We never sell or share your email address with third parties. See our Privacy Policy for details on how we handle your information.
Turpin Cemetery Inc is governed by a volunteer Board of Directors consisting of seven community members with expertise in education, finance, grief counseling, history, and local government. The board meets quarterly and operates under bylaws that require transparency, conflict-of-interest disclosures, and annual financial audits. Board members receive no compensation for their service. You can meet our full board on the About page.
You can reach us by mail at PO BOX 688, Irvine, KY 40336; by email at info@turpincemeteryinc.org; or through the Contact form on our website. Our administrative office responds to inquiries Monday through Friday, 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST. We aim to reply to all messages within two business days. For urgent matters related to an active burial or memorial service, please note "URGENT" in your subject line.