About us
Covenant’s Story
The Early Years (1993-1995)
In early 1993, Michael and Matthew Butts decided to be that somebody, to fight the decay of the park and restore Gracelawn Cemetery back to its former glory. They started Covenant Cemetery Services as a management company that would be the means to this end. With only their good names and good credit, they borrowed a down payment from a friend for their first tractor. Their pay was $50 a week. When the two brothers first took over the park, they knew a terrific challenge was in front of them. Both the maintenance and the trust funds needed restoring. With the help of lot owners and the support of Flint Councilman Johnny Tucker, Covenant was able to turn the not-for-profit cemetery around. Michael and Matthew’s vision was to improve Gracelawn and to make it appealing to sell it to someone willing to care for and continue to improve Gracelawn Cemetery. In 1996, Detroit Memorial Park (DMP), the oldest African American owned business in Michigan, stepped up to do just that. Covenant continues contracting the burial openings at Gracelawn.
Greenridge & Avondale
Avondale was not being maintained and the State Cemetery Commissioner asked Covenant to help maintain it as they had done with Gracelawn. Covenant did more than that; they took ownership of Avondale. Ground maintenance wasn’t the only service provided by Covenant. They also held contracts to manage sales and office matters at a growing number of other parks.
Sunset Hills & Westlawn
Not long after, Michael and Matthew were asked to evaluate two other troubled cemeteries in Metro Detroit, Westlawn and Westlawn West. Covenant recommended both for purchase. Michael was so convinced that the parks could be turned around that he offered to buy them himself.
The condition of Westlawn was described as “a pit”. It was so neglected that most local residents didn’t even know it was a cemetery. Michael was convinced that Matthew could turn it around. They took ownership in 2003, and Westlawn was an immediate success, going from 30 burials to 200 burials in Covenant’s first year of management.
Westlawn soon saw many improvements, winning several Beautification awards. The name of Westlawn West was changed to Sunset Hills. Located in Washtenaw County, Sunset will become Covenant’s first “green” cemetery.
In 2004, after their success with Westlawn, they turned their sights to Meadowview Memorial Gardens in Davison, a cemetery without a merchandise trust fund. The cemetery office was in such poor repair that the upstairs was uninhabitable “even to rats”. The brothers had to take out a 2nd mortgage on their homes to pay for the repairs, but their vision for the company began to grow.
Covenant Casket & Cremation Center
Covenant Casket & Cremation Center is the most recent addition to the family business. This stand-alone store stands as an alternative to traditional funeral homes, providing the same products as local competitors to funeral homes.
The Vision
One thing ties all these ventures together. People are buried in cemeteries with the thought that somebody is going to care for them forever. Often times that promise is broken somewhere down the line. Covenant seeks to remember that promise, the restoration of perpetual care.
The biggest thing we’ve learned is how short a time we have here on earth, and how precious life is. We bury friends and family every day. Covenant seeks to be an example of what the cemetery business ought to be about, serving families.
Families
Putting families first is what Covenant is all about. It is inevitable that families will face the loss of a loved one. When that happens, we’re here for them.
Our Mission
Covenant Cemetery Services is an example of what the cemetery business ought to be about, serving families. Covenant seeks to restore confidence to funeral services by becoming a standard against which others are measured throughout the State of Michigan
Our Services
Covenant Cemetery Services is a full-service provider. We offer traditional funeral services, as well as cremation services, and are looking to the future and green burials.
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About us
Putting families first is what
Covenant is all about.
Contact info
Corporate Office
3136 N State Rd, Davison, MI 48423
800-258-1799
810-653-2196
[email protected]