Question
Hello. Last summer, my dad's cemetary plot
was kind of lite green/yellowish by comparison
to the grasses all around. Then, they went
and added some fertilizer of some sort [by
request], and it turned golf-course green like
I never saw. Everything else looked kind of
lite green. Anyway, now all grasses are brownish
for the winter, but his seems unusually yellow
and lite brown in color. Strange, I'm thinking.
[I'm not suggesting anything's wrong with the
sod, it just seems to always stand out one way
or another...]

QUESTION. Do you have any suggestions on what to
do with this plot or grass as the months progress?
We're hoping to do the right grass thing as the
warmer spring and summer turn everything back to
good green as soon as everything else. Any
suggestions, helping to get the jump on growing
would be appreciated.

Thanks in advance for your reply. --Max/Chicago  

Answer
Good afternoon Max:
There are warm season grasses and cool season grasses. Warm season grasses stay green in the hottest time of the year (Summer) and cool season grasses stay green in the coolest part of the year (Spring and Fall). In the Chicago area cool season grasses are usually the grasses that are planted. Some places plant both cool and warm season grasses so that the lawn stays green all year round. That is usually done in the southern part of the country. It is possible that the cemetery has used both warm and cool season grasses.
I don't know how long ago your father passed away but if it was in the last couple of years the situation you have would be normal. Generally the longer the period of time the more the grass will blend together and look more established.
The proper grass for your area would be a blend of Kentucky blue grass and perennial Ryegrass. If the grave is in a shaded area a blend with Fescue would be a good choice.
After consulting with the cemetery custodian, this is what I would do. I would wait until late summer /early fall and see how the grass looks at that time. If the grass is not to your liking I would go to the nursery and buy a small container of grass seed that would be appropriate for the area ( Sun or Shade) and a small bag of potting mix. I would scratch the area over the grave with a rake and spread the grass seed topping it with a thin layer of the potting mix. Water it in. Of course you would have to make periodic visits (about once a week) and bring a sprinkling can and a few jugs of water. The grass should establish itself in about a month after seeding. The grass will be establishing itself during the coolest part of the year so that it will not be in a stressed condition. That is the best time to plant cool season grasses in your area.
As far as fertilization I would not do anything to the plot. The reason is that it would make your dad's plot stand out above the rest of the cemetery area. Let the grounds keepers do their own maintenance.
I hope I have helped you.

Floyd McMahon