From 1930 onwards forced settlers who died as they were transported from Kotlas were buried in the Yarensk village graveyard. Those dekulakized peasants who died during the typhus epidemic in early 1930 were buried in a trench specially dug for the purpose in the southwest part of the graveyard. Subsequently, this area was used for storage and other practical activities.

The burials were uncovered in 1996 by schoolchildren, members of the “Explorer” group led by O.A. Ugryumov, who interviewed old villagers. That year a cross was erected on the burial site, funded by the district Council of Veterans, donations by individuals and businesses in the district, with the support of the district administration and the “Explorer” group. Before the memorial was installed the trench was filled in and the area was levelled. The memorial is a concrete pillar pierced by an Orthodox cross; the plaque at its base reads, “To the victims of political repression, 1929-1937”.