Shepherd Memorial Park

There is a large amount of theft of grave markers going on up close to the mausoleum to the left side close to the driveway. I made a report to the Sheriff’s Office this morning and the Detective instructed me to call the cemetery office as well. There was no answer but I was able to leave my name and number through voicemail.

This is a gorgeous, huge cemetery. It has always been kept up really well until recently when we went to place Mother's Day flowers. The grass was high and no maintenance had been done. We have a loved one who was cremated and placed in the Memorial Area under a large tree. It is covered with white gravel and has a large sign with all the names of the people who are there. It has a large statue with benches and a fountain in the center but currently, it isn't operating.

My grandparents were so proud when they purchased vaults in the mausoleum, back in the 70's. They died in 1982 and 1991. I moved to Asheville last Summer and have visited several times. Yesterday was the worst. The mausoleum needs to be pressure washed and painted, the grounds are in horrible condition. The last time I actually went inside the mausoleum, it had a terrible smell. They had just finished having a funeral and I got the feeling the air conditioning is only turned on for funerals. My grandparents would be appalled, as am I. Shame on you!

I noticed that a lot of people were posting negative reviews about Shepherd memorial park and it got me paying better attention to the cemetery on a more regular basis. To be completely honest I was surprised by what I started noticing. Every single time I would visit the cemetery no matter what time of day or what day of the week it was I noticed the same individuals working on something at all times. I interacted with a gentleman on one occasion that was super helpful and even went out of his way to explain why the cemetery was having certain issues. Since this time I have continued to see constant maintenance and upkeep of the cemetery every time I visit my loved ones. I have also noticed that people continue to post bad reviews on the cemetery but the cemetery is continuously looking great and maintained. I wonder if some of these people posting negative reviews are just making up things to just spout off at the mouth. Because some of these people obviously have not laid eyes on the cemetery.

I buried my Dad here 10 years ago and my Mother 3 years ago. The differences between the two are astonishing. Then, I laid my husband beside my parents and will be buried there as well someday. I’m so sorry that my loved ones are there. It is appalling how rude, hateful and disrespectful Mrs.Shepherd was, especially this year when in such pain, I and my family were treated simply terrible. There’s no upkeep on the property, grass not mowed, trimmed and shrubbery neglected. I’m ashamed of this business. They should be forced to take care of the property as they promised when plots were sold.

I chose to bury my dear husband in Shepherds cemetery 5 yrs ago. It was one of the most beautiful places in Henderson County for many years. I now get sick everytime I visit his grave. Entire place is in total disarray! Mrs Shepherd is to blame.

I buried my sweet daughter here in 2013 after she passed away of brain cancer. She was only 5. They promised me they would plant a pink cherry tree above her grave. The whole reason I chose this place was for that purpose. This was her favorite tree. I have written letters and called and have been ignored for years on end. The owner won’t return any of my phone calls. Seven years later, they still have not planted the tree. I went up there today after returning from a deployment overseas to find the grass hasn’t been mowed in well over a month or more around her grave. The park has weeds in the flower beds, bushes aren’t trimmed, and generally looks awful. This place has really gone down hill and purposefully gone back on their promises. I bought 3 more plots and will never be using them. I refuse to ever give this business another dime.

I buried my mother there today. The entire park was like an unmade bed. The lawn wasn't mowed, the shrubs were scraggly and overgrown. Our service was to begin at 2:00 p.m. At 1:45, they were still setting up the tent, grass, and chairs. No excuse; there was no other service there today. They have been uncooperative from the beginning with Jackson Funeral Services, who took excellent care of my mother. We did not have a confirmed time for the service until less than 48 hours before the service was scheduled, so it was virtually impossible for out of town family to attend, and that had nothing to do with Covid-19. It was purely petty, unprofessional conduct and lack of compassion for a grieving family.

Just stopped by to see my husband's best friends grave, and we couldn't exactly remember where it was. We knew it was in the first few rows in the front. I was appalled how grown up and with how many weeds I had to pull up on multiple graves to eventually find his. It's the least the caretakers should do is weed eat around the graves to keep the faces of the graves clean. There were multiple I almost stepped on because I didnt realize that there was a grave under all the grass.

I can’t contact anyone here to ask about replacing the vase on my mother’s grave placard. I read Gary Mcdowell has receivership over this cemetery now, does anyone know how to contact him/anyone who managed this cemetery?