what is a cemetery sexton?

Question

what are their responsibilities

Answer 1

The Sexton is usually a church official (not a clergyman) who takes care of the church building. In traditional churches in England and elsewhere the cemetery was often right next to the church, so the sexton would be responsible for the cemetery and for digging graves or supervising the placement and digging of the graves.

Answer 2

In the old days he was a grave digger and a care taker of the cemetery. He watered the lawns kept them clean and mowed for family members to pay their respects when then wanted. He also kept the cemetery chapel clean and was a handy man for the chaplains or clergy that led their flocks in each small town. Most kids and some adults thought he was the spookiest person in town. In many cases he lived in the cemetery at a house provided by the church and had no family. He usually led a very solitary life.