Daniels expanding Vista Verde Cemetery

RIO RANCHO — Daniels Family Funeral Services is moving into the first phase of an expansion at its Sara Road location: Vista Verde Cemetery and Memorial.

Director Ray Baldonado, Daniels Director of Operations Joshua McManigal and Rio Rancho Mayor Gregg Hull broke ground Sept. 30.

“I got here to New Mexico about eight years ago and always loved Rio Rancho Vista Verde, and I always look at this, and I can’t wait,” McManigal said.

He said one thing that’s been in his mind for Vista Verde is a garden. According to Baldonado, that is now more of a reality than an idea.

“There’ll be ground burial for caskets, an upright section which the current section doesn’t have. There’ll be a commission garden,” he said.

Baldonado said that they haven’t done upright head stones before because of the maintenance and upkeep of the grounds. But he said the upright graves are more visible to loved ones.

“It’s a way for for family members to bring their loved ones to rest and for those families that are living to come and visit their loved ones and spend time with them,” he said.

Hull thanked Daniels for their memorial and 9/11 ceremony. He added that it’s a wonderful and serene place to visit.

As it stands, the area where these additions will be is mainly dirt, but Daniels members looked forward to completion. A construction end date has not been announced yet.