Modern cemetery design can take full advantage of existing natural features like ponds and wooded hillsides. It can also be developed to create striking focal points.

Well-planned landscaping reduces mowing needs, helps with storm water drainage and enhances aesthetics. It can also make it easier for visitors to navigate the cemetery property.

1. Master Plan

A master plan is the roadmap to a cemetery’s future, and a great tool for demonstrating its permanency as a community fixture to both city planning committees and the public. It includes a review of existing burial capacity, consideration for new burial alternatives and improvements to circulation and wayfinding throughout the facility.

The first steps in the process include a program statement developed from sales trends, emerging trends, community demographics and cemetery needs. Then site analysis including understanding topography, drainage, soils, climate, zoning and adjacent land uses is completed. From this, a development framework and theme is developed with the various program elements mapped to the site based on their functional relationships.

Several other reports accompany the Master Plan: an Operations Report recommends that staff be kept at current levels but reorganized to improve efficiency and effectiveness; a Management Report looks at three governance and management models and recommends that Council establish a Cemetery Advisory Board in the short term and a Cemetery Foundation to encourage charitable support for non-revenue producing improvements in the long term.

2. Green Footprint

Depending on culture, religion and location, there are many different types of cemeteries. They include monumental cemetery, memorial park, garden cemetery, VA cemeteries and natural or green burial grounds.

Most cemeteries have some systematic layout of graves which are grouped together into larger sections. This helps the cemetery administration in managing the space and also assists friends or family members when they visit to find a specific grave.

Graves are usually dug to a standard depth. This makes it easy to dig new single graves in old cemeteries but can cause distress when people find older double or even triple graves with no headstone indicating which is their relative’s grave.

Sometimes a cemetery has to re-use older graves in order to keep up with the demand for burial space. But this can lead to public uproar when there are vocal descendants who object to re-use of their relatives’ graves. One practical solution is to ensure that the land for lawn cemeteries is completely flat so that the grave plaques can be easily seen above the grass and not obscured by mower blades.

3. Accessibility

Considering the demographic of your cemetery’s visitors, and what the future might bring in terms of physical or mobility challenges, is important. The ability to navigate the property without having to climb stairs is essential for a good experience for all, and it should be possible for those with limited mobility to enjoy the grounds.

Cemeteries should also consider the growing inclination toward cremation interment, and designing ways to provide attractive options for that within a cemetery setting. This will allow the use of less land, and a landscape that works with natural systems rather than against them.

If a new cemetery site has an iconic feature such as a water feature, a wooded hillside or high point, I think it is important to emphasize those elements in the design. This will give the cemetery a unique identity and create a memorable place. It will also allow the development to be more sensitive to change as market trends shift.

4. Headstones

The headstone is a marker for the grave and a humanizing tribute to a loved one. It may include important details like name, title, age, key dates and an epitaph engraved in a style that will be legible for generations.

These days, large up-right tombstones are less common than smaller, simpler plaque-like pieces. They are usually carved in granite or marble and are placed directly on the ground at the head of the grave site.

Monument crafters now use laser etching and sandblasting techniques that make it possible to display nearly any image, symbol or inscription on a granite headstone. This kind of flexibility enables grieving families to create a memorial that reflects the essence of their loved one. A granite memorial is also a durable option that can withstand harsh weather conditions and natural wear and tear over time. It can be cleaned with a bit of water and soap to keep it looking beautiful for generations to come.

Cemeteries are complicated places with many responsibilities and obligations that must be fulfilled for the sake of loved ones, families, and future generations.

A cemetery is a place of history, culture, and beauty that can be preserved through education, advocacy, and community involvement. The first step is to examine the site and consider its needs.

What Is a Cemetery?

A cemetery, also known as a burial ground or graveyard, is land set aside for the interment of dead people. It differs from a churchyard in that it isn’t affiliated with a specific religious congregation and non-religious people can be buried there.

Burial options include burying in an above-ground tomb or mausoleum crypt, entombment in a sarcophagus, or cremation and inurnment. A tombstone is generally placed on the burial site to mark the location.

Cemeteries may be public or private; not-for-profit or for-profit; and religious or secular. Each has its own ownership structure, financial endowment plan, and staff configuration.

Why Are Cemeteries Important?

Cemeteries are important for people who want to remember their deceased loved ones. The gravestones in a cemetery can tell a great deal about the person who was buried there and allow their relatives to visit them. Modern cemeteries often offer services like genealogy information and flower placement programs.

In the case of natural cemeteries, they may also be able to provide valuable ecosystem services like wildlife habitat. In fact, one of Vienna’s largest green areas, Zentralfriedhof, has a tree register which records the age and species of trees there.

As such, a number of ecological solutions have been developed for cemeteries to enhance their habitat function and biodiversity. However, research in this area is limited. Most studies focus on woody or ornamental plants.

What Are the Different Types of Cemeteries?

There are several different types of cemeteries. Some are run by a local government and are open to all, while others are run by religious organizations or families. A few are also dedicated to specific groups, such as veterans or pets.

Natural or green cemeteries (also called eco-cemeteries) allow the body to decompose naturally in a wild landscape and return to the earth. These sites usually do not have headstones. Instead, they may have exact GPS recordings or the markings of a tree, bush or rock.

District or municipal cemeteries are run by local government bodies and can be a little more restrictive, with regulations on headstone design for example. They may also have a section reserved for those who cannot afford to pay for burial in other types of cemeteries.

What Are the Rules of Cemeteries?

The laws of the state allow cemetery corporations to regulate their own property within limits. The police power may also be used to require a discontinuance of a cemetery where burials are injurious to the public health, but this power must be exercised reasonably and not arbitrarily.

Whenever you visit a cemetery, respect the people who are buried there and the memory of those who have passed on. Avoid littering; place trash in designated receptacles. Keep pets leashed; they may disturb other visitors and cause damage to monuments or graves.

All regulated cemeteries must put 10% of each sale and $35 from every interment in a Permanent Maintenance Fund, which is invested to provide income for future cemetery maintenance. Any requests for service charge increases must be fully documented and approved by the Cemetery Board.

How Can I Visit a Cemetery?

When visiting a cemetery, it’s important to respect the space. This means not yelling, blasting music, or carrying on conversations. Other visitors may be experiencing grief and don’t want to be interrupted. It’s also a good idea to bring a quiet book or journal, as it can be very reflective and soothing.

Most cemeteries have their own rules and regulations, which should be read before going to a graveyard. They may have a specific time of day they are open, or rules about flowers or other items being left at the grave site.

It’s also a good idea to wear comfortable shoes, as you might be walking over uneven ground or in a jungle of trees and shrubs. Bringing a mirror can also be helpful to help read the inscriptions on the grave stones, especially if it’s dark out.

One of Houston’s darkest chapters is getting the light it deserves, thanks to Memorial Park Conservancy and Buffalo Soldiers Museum. The 1917 Houston Mutiny and Riots are the focus of a new onsite audio exhibit.

Designed to serve multiple audiences, memorial park provides natural beauty for meditation and peace for grieving families. It also offers a sense of dignity for all veterans and their loved ones.

History

The story of Memorial Park is not only about how it became one of the 10 largest city parks in the nation, but also how it was born of war. The full tale is told in a new book entitled Memorial Park: A Priceless Legacy, published by Herring Press.

During World War I, the site of Memorial Park served as Camp Logan – a training center for millions of soldiers who were drafted after the Selective Service Act passed in 1917. To commemorate the anniversary of this event, a new historical exhibit is being launched in the 100-acre Clay Family Eastern Glades.

The exhibit features six onsite audio experiences that take place in the space and can be accessed via a QR code reader on your mobile device. For a map of possible grave sites, click here.

The Memorial Walls

The Memorial Park features multiple monuments and statues that honor local military veterans. This unique space is a gathering place for veterans, families and communities to celebrate and recognize our local heroes.

The largest memorial at the site is a half-scale replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. Thousands of names of fallen service members are inscribed on the panels. A visit to the Memorial can be an emotional experience as visitors run their hands along the walls and carefully read each name.

The 168 chairs represent the nine floors of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building that were destroyed in the 9/11 attacks. Each chair bears the name of a victim killed in the attacks. The Gold Star Monument is the newest structure to be built at the memorial park. It was designed with style guidelines set by the Woody Williams Foundation and Delaware Gold Star Families.

The Vietnam War

The memorial park has a very important position in Fruita because it is located right on the major highway. This means that it can attract a national audience.

The foundation launched a competition at schools to find a design for the monument. The winner, Fort Worth resident Ryan Scieneaux, designed a tree of life surrounded by marble slabs, each displaying the names of soldiers who died in Vietnam.

The Museum of Flight’s Boeing B-52G was transported and installed at the new memorial park in May 2019. It is one of the largest warbirds on display. Its relocation brings the old saying “all gave some, some gave all” to life. It is an honor to see it back in its place of glory. It is a place for all to visit and reflect.

The Gold Star Monument

The Gold Star Monument at Memorial Park honors families who have lost a loved one in military service. It was inspired by the Gold Star Mothers, a national organization founded in 1928. A family member of a fallen soldier may purchase a plaque at the monument and display it to honor their loved one’s memory.

The memorial is a gathering place for families and a location for yearly candlelight vigils. It is also the home to a nationally popular and locally renowned jogging trail that is used by local residents as well as professional sports athletes.

A memorial was built at Memorial Park in 2023 by GSFMM – the Gold Star Family Memorial Monument (GSFMM). The monument is part of a larger effort by Medal of Honor Recipient Hershel Woody Williams to encourage communities nationwide to establish their own Gold Star Families memorials.

The Bald Eagle Statue

When you first enter memorial park, two small metal bald eagles are located at the entrance of the grounds. These are smaller versions of the larger ones that adorn a monument deeper within the park.

These eagles symbolize freedom and the strength of the American spirit. The eagles are a reminder of the sacrifices made by veterans to protect and provide for their country.

The GWOT monument features a bronze bald eagle clutching an actual piece of the World Trade Center in its talons. The sculpture was donated by the community. Across the top of the monument are black granite history panels that each tell the story of a war or conflict on American soil.

Memorial Park offers residents of Farmington Hills a place for quiet reflection and to honor their loved ones who have passed away. Instead of competing headstones, this beautiful memorial park uses dignified, sculpted bronze markers lying flat on landscaped plots.

The mission of the funeral bureau is to receive consumer inquiries and complaints, license funeral practitioners and establishments, register trainees in funeral service, and inspect funeral homes and crematory establishments. In addition, the Board adjudicates complaints against licensed professionals and imposes disciplinary sanctions.

Licensing requirements vary by state for funeral directors and embalmers. Some states also have licensing boards for funeral schools.

They can help you make arrangements

Funeral arrangements are often complex and expensive, but a funeral director can help you make them in a way that fits your budget and personal preferences. They will meet with family members or friends to discuss options such as caskets, burial plots, and memorial services. They will also coordinate with funeral homes, churches, and cemeteries.

Under the Rule, a funeral home must provide a general price list (GPL) to anyone who inquires about funeral goods or services. The GPL must include a written description of each casket or alternative container regularly offered for sale, and the retail price of each item.

Some funeral providers enter into agreements with burial societies, religious groups, or memorial groups to arrange funerals for their members at special prices. You can offer package funeral arrangements, but you must still provide a GPL and comply with other Rule requirements when an individual from these groups inquires about funeral arrangements. The funeral home must also disclose any custodial care fee charged to hold the body.

They can provide cemetery monuments or cremation urns

Cremation urns are used to hold the cremated remains of a loved one. They come in a variety of designs, from simple to elaborate. Many families display them in their homes or use them as remembrance vessels. Many of them are crafted in wood or a metal such as bronze. They can also be personalized with a special message or design.

Upright cemetery monuments and flat markers are available in granite, marble and bronze and mark graves in national, state veterans’ or military post/base cemeteries. Families may also purchase an individual headstone or marker based on inscription information for burial in private family estate mausoleums and columbaria.

Funeral providers are required to provide consumers with a General Price List (GPL) when they meet face-to-face for an arrangements conference, but they do not have to send a GPL by telephone or mail if the consumer does not request it. However, they must give it to consumers who make a written inquiry after hours and when they cannot meet face-to-face with the funeral director.

They can help you plan a home funeral

The death of a loved one can be very stressful, but funeral planning can help reduce some of the stress and confusion. It can also allow for a more meaningful and dignified farewell. By communicating openly with family members, discussing financial aspects, and preplanning a funeral service, individuals can navigate this challenging process with peace of mind.

Many funeral homes offer packages to lower costs, but you should always compare prices. You should also ask the funeral home to provide you with a casket price list before you decide on anything. This is a requirement under the Funeral Rule, which protects consumers from overcharges.

Funeral directors can also help you plan a wake, or ceremony that takes place after the funeral. They can help you make arrangements for music, catering, and other special requests. They can also arrange to have a video tribute made from photos and videos of your loved one. They can also help you publish an obituary and send out condolences to friends and relatives.

They can help you find a licensed funeral director or embalmer

The Funeral Bureau is responsible for overseeing and investigating consumer complaints about funeral homes and cremation services. It regulates the funeral business and establishes minimum professional standards for funeral directors, embalmers, and cemeteries. The Bureau also issues burial licenses.

Licensed funeral homes, embalmers, and apprentice embalmers must be registered with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Vital Records to file a death certificate. Due to the COVID-19 public health emergency, in-person ordering of death certificates has been suspended.

If your funeral business does not provide the necessary licenses, it may be illegal to operate. The Bureau can also fine you for violating the law. You can also find a reputable funeral director or embalmer by looking online. Some firms offer packages to reduce the cost of funerals. The packages typically include a casket, grave marker, and funeral service. Some firms also provide cemetery monuments and cremation urns. The LAFS has promoted advance planning and the consumer’s right to choose a funeral since 1963.

A mortuary is a place where bodies are stored temporarily until autopsies can be performed. They can be found either attached to funeral homes or in a department of forensic medicine.

Mortuary workers use their communication, organization and empathy skills to help grieving families. They also must have technical and problem solving skills to complete their duties.

Working Conditions

Mortuary workers must be able to remain professional even in the face of unpleasant or upsetting situations. They must also be able to use surgical instruments, perform autopsies on bodies and work with embalmers. A mortician’s job can be somber and challenging, but it can also be fulfilling for those who are suited to this unique career.

Hospital morgues are responsible for the reception, transportation and temporary storage of corpses. Pathologists staff these facilities and may conduct postmortem examinations to determine the cause of death. They may also prepare a body for burial, cremation or memorial services.

A recent study found that most hospital mortuary attendants do not receive formal education and lack the knowledge needed to observe safety protocols and precautions. This can lead to injuries and illness for these employees.

Job Duties

Mortuaries and funeral homes provide similar services, although funeral homes are more adept at planning a memorial service. Both facilities prepare a deceased person’s remains for burial or cremation, offer grief counseling and handle any paperwork associated with the death, such as the death certificate, obituary and funeral arrangements.

If you’re interested in a career in the mortuary business, you need to be empathetic and have good communication skills. Family service counselors and funeral home associates work directly with families to explain the products and services they offer, arrange product pricing and answer any questions clients may have.

Morgue attendants, also known as pathologists’ assistants, perform a variety of tasks in and around morgues. They prepare bodies and organ specimens for examination, clean and set up instruments, pick tissue samples and ensure all cadavers are tagged properly. They often work on 24-hour shifts, so they must be able to focus for long periods of time.

Education Requirements

Morgue employees need to be trained and licensed, with education requirements varying by state. Many states require funeral workers to have an associate degree from a mortuary science program and pass a licensing exam. Others have separate education and licensing requirements for embalmers and funeral directors.

In addition to coursework in mortuary science and funeral service, an associate degree program usually requires courses in restorative arts and ethics and law and grief counseling. Students can complete these courses at an on-campus or online school.

To get the most out of their college experience, aspiring morgue employees should seek out internship opportunities and part-time jobs at local funeral homes or coroner’s offices to gain relevant experience in the industry before graduation. This will also help them feel more comfortable dealing with the sensitive work environment and working around dead bodies. It is important for these workers to have computer skills because they may need to enter data or keep records of cadavers.

Working Hours

Although it may seem like a morbid job to do, many mortuary workers are highly satisfied with their careers. This is due to the variety of responsibilities they have in their role and the fact that they focus on looking after families and making the grieving process as easy as possible for them.

Generally, morticians work out of a funeral home and are responsible for the end-to-end funerary process. This includes meeting with the bereaved family and guiding them through the different funeral options available. They also handle the logistics of preparing the body and arranging transport to the funeral venue.

Some of the duties that they undertake include loading and unloading bodies from City, EMS and funeral director hearses, taking identification head shot photos and assisting Medical Examiners in all autopsy procedures as directed. Additionally, they maintain the premise, equipment and mortuary autopsy rooms in a clean and sanitary condition. They may also help to prepare bodies for cremation and burial.

Throughout history, wealthy or influential Christians were generally interred inside a church after they died. Lesser congregants were buried outside in the churchyard, which is where the name graveyard comes from.

Rules regarding headstones are often more strict in graveyards. They may require that inscriptions be more subdued or that the headstone is made of stone or granite.

What is a Graveyard?

A graveyard is a place where people are buried after their death. It is typically located on church grounds and often only allows members of the same religion to be buried there.

In the past, graveyards were often surrounded by yew trees, which were believed to help keep evil spirits away from the dead. In addition, a graveyard was often close to the church, which made it easier for people to visit and remember their loved ones.

Over time, as populations grew and churches became more crowded, graveyards began to become obsolete and independent cemeteries were created. Today, the terms graveyard and cemetery are often used interchangeably, but the term graveyard is more traditionally associated with a church while a cemetery may be open to everyone regardless of their religion.

What is a Cemetery?

A cemetery is a place for burial. It may be owned by the government or privately held. It usually has a corresponding burial register with the name of each person buried and their plot number within the cemetery.

The location of the graveyard is determined by geography, religious beliefs and social attitudes. Sanitary concerns often influence the choice of location, e.g., the Romans and Jews preferred mass graves outside their cities, while Christians opted for churchyards.

Many churchyards have a limited amount of space. A person who wants to be buried in a churchyard needs to be either a member of that particular church or express a desire to be so upon their death. A churchyard also has strict rules regarding headstones, which must live up to Christian values and traditions.

What is the Difference Between a Graveyard and a Cemetery?

A cemetery and a graveyard have some differences, although modern usage makes them almost synonymous. In the past, a graveyard was generally affiliated with a church and therefore on church property while a cemetery was more of an umbrella term that could include either consecrated or non-consecrated land.

In the past, wealthy and important Christians were interred inside the church in crypts while lesser congregants were buried outside the church in the graveyard or churchyard. This meant that people could visit their departed family members easily as they went to church on Sundays.

While many people don’t know the difference between graveyard and cemetery, understanding the distinction can help to avoid confusion and misunderstandings. If you plan to be laid to rest in a graveyard, you can make sure that your next of kin understands the difference when you pass on your instructions.

What is the Difference Between a Churchyard and a Cemetery?

A graveyard and a cemetery are two terms that can often be used interchangeably. However, if linguistic precision is important, it’s helpful to understand the difference between the two. The term “graveyard” is older, dating back to Colonial era America, while the word “cemetery” is more modern and came into use in 1831 with the founding of Mt. Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

As a general rule, churchyards are on the grounds of a church. They were once filled with the graves of less wealthy congregants who were buried in crypts under the church floor or in a section of the churchyard. But as churches began to run out of space, independent sites known as cemeteries were formed to allow for more burials. Cemeteries are also typically much larger than churchyards and are not associated with a particular church.

What is the Difference Between a Cemetery and a Churchyard?

The difference between a graveyard and a cemetery is that a churchyard is associated with a specific church. It is generally on church grounds or in a building attached to the church. Cemeteries are generally not associated with a church and are often large spaces that serve more than one religion.

Traditionally, people who were buried in a churchyard were members of the church or expressed a desire to be buried there upon their death. This meant that they were Christians. Today, this is no longer necessarily the case.

The word cemetery came from the Old French cimetiere and is tied to Greek koimeterion, which means “a sleeping place.” It is a newer idea compared to churchyards but serves the same purpose. The terms are sometimes used interchangeably, but the distinctions between them are important.

Modern cemetery design focuses on a connection with families and communities. It offers options for every personality to be memorialized the way they want to be remembered.

Landscape design includes flowing mowing lines, lush plantings and trees with pleasant textures and scents that add character and beauty to the cemetery grounds. Ponds, natural or constructed, also serve as wildlife habitat.

Master Plan

Modern cemetery design demands more than just a place to lay a loved one to rest. It needs to be a vibrant celebration of family, history, and individuality integrated within a shared community. Incorporating all that requires a unique blend of sensitivity and practical know-how.

A solid master plan will identify short and long term needs for the site, guide implementation over time and provide a roadmap for future development. Our master planning process includes comprehensive analysis of site conditions (e.g. topography, drainage, climate, utilities, zoning and adjacent land uses) and an understanding of how a cemetery operates.

We account for burial types, cemetery facilities, office buildings, maintenance yards and other support structures to determine the most efficient use of available space. We also ensure all system piping is properly sized during the master plan phase to minimize both up front construction costs and future replacement costs down the road.

Headstones

Headstones are the most common form of a memorial for a deceased individual in a cemetery. These are erect pieces of stone that include the name, birth and death dates and sometimes epitaphs for the deceased person. They can also have a unique design or symbol for the deceased.

Many cemeteries have rules about the types of headstones they allow to keep a uniform look for the grounds. It’s important to know what these rules are before you shop for your headstone to avoid any confusion.

Another option is a monument, which is similar to a headstone but is larger and usually tells the story of a person through images and wording. These are usually made from granite, which is one of the most durable and long-lasting materials. Another popular material is bronze, which can be used for decorative purposes on the monument. These are usually shaped into various designs and sizes depending on the individual preference.

Interior Design

The interior design of a cemetery should be thoughtful and well-considered. A cemetery should be easy to navigate and accessible for people of all abilities. It should also be well-lit and have proper access to parking.

Cemeteries should incorporate natural features like water features, wooded hillsides and high points into the design. This can help with land use efficiency and create a more attractive landscape for visitors. It is important to work with natural systems and re-use landscape elements to minimize up-front costs.

Cemeteries should also consider re-using existing graves. This can be a difficult decision as it often requires contacting family members of those originally interred. However, it can be more cost-efficient and allow for greater flexibility when planning new burial space. Moreover, it can make the cemetery feel less like an industrial place and more like a unique public space. This is an excellent way to show that the cemetery is still an active part of the community.

Landscape Design

In the past, cemetery landscapes were “naked and desolate,” according to a landscape tastemaker in The Country Gentleman (1857). Modern cemeteries can become more than just a place for burial but a landscape that engages visitors.

The blending of cemetery design with landscaping can help to keep these historic landscapes resilient and ecologically sound. This is especially important for older cemeteries that need to generate revenue while also caring for their beloved landscapes.

The cemetery landscape must be a balance of hardscapes and softscapes, and must also be aesthetically pleasing to visitors. Small improvements like special water features, memorial furniture designs and directional signage that follows protocol are essential in creating a meaningful experience for mourners. The plantings must be adapted to the cemetery’s climate and soil conditions. Mourners often leave flowers on columbarium walls and the plantings must provide them with a suitable environment. Newer columbarium wall designs include metal clips or loops on the sides of each plaque to hold a single flower stem or small posy.

Choosing a Cemetery is a very personal decision. It has ramifications for the individual, next of kin, family and community of mourners. It must simultaneously honor the decedent and provide a dignified place for mourners to gather.

Perpetual care is a fundamental element of cemetery management. It requires careful planning.

Locations

As cities and towns grew, church-owned graveyards ran out of space. This led to the establishment of landscaped cemeteries away from city centers, which were usually operated as private or joint-stock companies independent from the churches that had formerly run them.

Cemeteries are dedicated areas of land that contain specific plot locations with clearly delineated boundaries. This makes them distinctly different from burial grounds which can be less structured and organized.

Modern cemeteries offer a variety of visitor services like genealogy information and flower placement programs. They also provide options for people who want to be buried in a columbarium wall or mausoleum instead of a grave. Many cemetery locations also offer virtual tours to loved ones unable to visit in person. These efforts have helped to improve the way we understand and manage our nation’s cemeteries.

Rules

In order to preserve a cemetery for future generations, New York requires that all cemetery sales and burial fees go into a managed Permanent Maintenance Fund. This fund grows significantly over time, and it is used to maintain the grounds once they are no longer selling lots.

Cemeteries also have the right to set reasonable rules and regulations regarding the type material, design, composition, finish and specifications of all merchandise that they or others install on their property. They are obligated to post these rules conspicuously and make them available for inspection. If a rule is found to be unreasonable, it can be invalidated.

Regulations

Modern cemeteries have a variety of fees and regulations associated with their operations. They typically charge a set fee for each lot purchased, a per-interment fee, and a perpetual care fund that provides ongoing maintenance of the cemetery grounds. These funds are a collection of individual contributions made by lots owners as well as part of the current lot sale receipts and $35 from every interment.

Regulations regarding the location of a cemetery are valid, as long as they do not impair the obligation of contract or violate constitutional guaranties of due process and equal protection of the laws. Re-use of graves on land that has been formally abandoned as a cemetery is permissible, but such practices are often controversial, and families who wish to object must usually prove that the re-use will not cause undue hardship.

Fees

A cemetery maintenance fee is a cost associated with the burial process. It can include things like a grave liner and vault, which are designed to keep the casket in place and prevent it from collapsing into the ground as it decomposes.

Other fees that can be associated with a cemetery include a foundation preparation fee, which covers the labor and expertise required to prepare the headstone for placement. A headstone installation fee is also often included.

In addition to burial and maintenance fees, cemeteries also have to maintain a perpetual care fund, which are monies collected from sales of cemetery plots, aboveground crypts or niches in mausoleums for ongoing cemetery expenses. This is a legal requirement in many states. These funds are managed through trusts supervised by the cemetery board.

Maintenance

Cemeteries must cover ongoing expenses like gravediggers, groundskeepers and security. They must also pay property taxes and other business fees. These expenses may be offset by the income from perpetual care funds.

Traditionally, cemetery management involves the allocation of burial space, digging and filling of graves, and maintenance of grounds and landscaping. Construction and maintenance of headstones and other grave monuments are usually the responsibility of families of the deceased.

Adding amenities to a cemetery can make it more attractive to visit and provide a better environment for grieving family members. For example, putting in trashcans and benches can help visitors feel more comfortable while visiting a loved one’s grave. Adding pathways can also make it easier for visitors to navigate the cemetery. It is important that a cemetery have these amenities in order to be safe and inviting for all visitors.

There’s a sense of peace that envelopes you while walking through Memorial Park. The park has miles of hiking trails, a native zoo and camp facilities.

A new book, Memorial Park, A Priceless Legacy (Herring Press) explains how this park came to be and who it honors. It’s a fascinating read.

The History of Memorial Park

The name Memorial Park has long evoked a sense of reverence and honor. And, it was with that in mind that a local resident proposed turning the former Army camp into a living memorial for the town’s service men and women.

The idea took hold and gained the support of Miss Ima Hogg – Houston’s famous benefactor – who served as watchdog for the park until her death. She helped fund the park and was instrumental in preventing development within its borders.

Today, the Park still stands as a living memorial. It’s a beautiful place to visit, whether it’s for a jog or picnic. It is home to one of the nation’s most popular jogging trails, the Seymour Lieberman Trail. It has been visited by national and international athletes, celebrities and ordinary citizens alike. And, it is the site of several monuments honoring the town’s service members, including a Gold Star Monument.

The Gold Star Monument

Gold Star Monuments honor the families of servicemen and women who died while serving their country. These black granite monuments have four back panels, each with a different theme: homeland, family, patriots and sacrifice. The local community has discretion on which scenes are etched into the panels to best reflect their values.

On Memorial Day, Naperville’s Gold Star Families unveiled their monument at Veterans Park. The dedication ceremony included the presentation of the colors, the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance and the singing of the national anthem. There was also a speech from Lt. Gen. Mark Wise, a land blessing from a Native American labor leader and remarks from Congresswoman Carol Miller, Councilman Allison Longenbaugh and Mayor Stefanie Kifowit, who is a Marine veteran herself.

The monument in Lacey was the result of a combined effort by private citizens, city officials and two 501c3 non-profit organizations (the Woody Williams Foundation and the Major Brent Taylor Foundation). Individuals can purchase engraved bricks to be placed at the base of the statue in honor of their fallen loved ones.

The Vietnam War Monument

Unlike traditional memorials that honor specific images or objects, the Vietnam War Monument (VVM) is a series of polished black gabbro walls sunk into the ground. It lists the names of 58,000 servicemen who were either killed or missing in action during the conflict. Its form evokes veterans’ implicit feeling of abandonment and isolation while simultaneously promoting individual reflection.

When Maya Lin won the competition to design the memorial she was an undergraduate architecture student at Yale. As a result, when the design was unveiled there was backlash against both her and her style of memorialization.

The arrangement of the names on the wall reflects the progression of deaths during the conflict. This helps memorialize the entire experience of the war rather than focusing on just one person’s death. In addition, the placement of names is mirrored in visitors’ own reflections on the wall which connects them to those who were lost. As a result, the memorial acts as a kind of “secular pilgrimage” whereby people visit in order to mourn and to leave “artifacts of commemoration” (Lin 4). The VVM has also been visited by volunteer mourners and searchers who help visitors to the site.

The Bald Eagle Statue

A symbol of pride and strength, the bald eagle is a popular figure in many cultures. It is also associated with wisdom and knowledge. This majestic bird can be seen in many parks and nature reserves across the country. It is a beautiful addition to any home and can serve as a reminder to always strive for excellence.

A huge sculpture of a bald eagle, which was recently installed at the Montezuma National Wildlife Refuge in Seneca Falls, New York, commemorates a remarkable conservation success story. The massive steel sculpture was crafted by Rochester artist Jay Seaman and is 22 feet from wing tip to wing tip.

The statue is made of high-quality cast aluminum and then electroplated for added durability. It comes on a black museum mount and is suitable for indoor or outdoor display. The sculptor’s attention to detail makes this an impressive piece of aviary animal art. It is a perfect gift for any patriotic American or bird lover.

funeral bureau

Some funeral directors enter into arrangements with certain religious groups, burial societies and memorial societies to provide their members with package funerals at special prices. If you offer such packages, you must still comply with the Rule.

You cannot condition the furnishing of any funeral good or service on the purchase of another. This includes cash advance items such as cemetery or crematory services; pallbearers; public transportation; clergy honoraria; flowers; musicians or singers; nurses; obituary notices and gratuities.

Burial

The Department regulates the business and practice of funeral directing for 1800 funeral firms, 4000 practitioners, and 90 registered residents (individuals in training) through Public Health Law section 3401, including licensing, inspections, investigation of consumer/provider complaints, and education and training. The Commission also sets the Funeral Rule, which requires all funeral providers to offer a General Price List, Casket Price List, Outer Burial Container Price List, and Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected.

Some funeral homes enter into agreements with groups or associations to offer their members special prices on funeral goods and services. If someone from one of these groups inquires in person about funeral arrangements, you must give them your price lists.

You must also give a GPL to consumers who want to modify funeral goods or services purchased under pre-need contracts. You must also give them a Casket Price List at the beginning of any discussion about caskets and an Outer Burial Container Price List before showing them containers.

Cremation

Cremation is the process of incineration that turns the body into ashes. Before cremation the remains are usually embalmed and placed in a coffin or casket for viewing or a funeral service. The casket is then moved to the crematory in a special trolley.

Before cremation a number of checks are carried out to ensure the identity of the body and that all paperwork is in order. The remains are then burned in the cremation chamber. The ashes can be buried in a grave or columbarium or scattered on private property. They can also be incorporated with concrete into a memorial statue or monument or mixed with paint for a portrait.

If you offer cremation services, you must include at least two package prices that describe the services and the outer burial container included in each price. You must also describe what is not included in each package price, such as the cost of a casket. You may also choose to list a basic services fee that is non-declinable and include in it any charges for overhead that you do not allocate to the other items on your GPL.

Home Funerals

The cost of a home funeral can be less than a traditional burial. However, it may still be more than some people can afford.

Consumers who want to avoid high costs should comparison shop. Many local family-run funeral homes offer lower prices than national chains. People can also save money by buying caskets and other funeral items on their own instead of through a funeral home.

A funeral provider must comply with the Funeral Rule by giving consumers accurate price information, including at least a basic services fee, removal and transfer of remains, embalming, other preparation of the body, caskets, funeral ceremonies, use of facilities and staff for viewing and ceremony, and memorial printing packages. The Rule requires providers to give consumers a General Price List (GPL) for them to keep at the beginning of the arrangements conference. The GPL must also include an Outer Burial Container Price List and a Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected.

Final Arrangements

When a loved one dies, grieving families face a multitude of decisions quickly and often under great emotional duress. Among the most important decisions is how to dispose of the body, whether to bury or cremate.

The Funeral Rule requires funeral homes to disclose the basic arrangements fee, which covers the availability of a director and staff to respond to an inquiry or a death call, arranging an arrangement conference, filing a copy of the death certificate, obtaining permits and copies of birth certificates, and sheltering the remains. This fee cannot be declined by a consumer and must be included in the total cost of a funeral.

In addition, the Rule requires funeral providers to give consumers a General Price List that itemizes the cost of all goods and services regularly offered. If the funeral home also sells caskets or outer burial containers, they must offer a Casket Price List and Outer Burial Container Price List.