In our current economic climate of budget crunches and financial belt tightening, it is encouraging to know that the Clark County Fiscal Court doesn’t put a price on compassion and dignity.

The Sun recently examined the county cemetery —  sitting near the fairgrounds and animal shelter — and how indigent burials are handled here. We were happy to see the county is putting treating people with respect over any financial concerns.

It is a sad situation when someone passes away and there is no one to help take care of the final arrangements or the family just doesn’t have the money to do so.

But it happens far too often.

Although it is the county’s legal responsibility to provide this service, they go far above and beyond the basic duty. In large part this is due to former judge-executive Johnny Myers and road supervisor Kevin Wilson laying the foundation.

A little more than a decade ago, Myers took it as personal project to improve the neglected cemetery and challenged Wilson and the road crew to take on the task of cleaning, mowing, fencing and maintaining it. It was even nearly doubled in size to its current four acres.

Since 2006, more than 40 people have been buried there. This may not sound like a large number, but each of these people were human beings, had stories to tell and still deserved respect.

Many other counties, in Kentucky and beyond, don’t take the same level of care in this difficult situation, although they may spend thousands more. Here, the county leaders have worked out arrangements with the funeral homes to be able to provide burial, an actual funeral service and a marker for about $425. Having done six burials last year and 10 the year before, this becomes an expense of several thousand dollars each year.

And it is worth every penny.

Thankfully the county leaders including current leaders including Judge-Executive Henry Branham and the magistrates realize this about far more than money.

Dignity and compassion will always be priceless.