Month: November 2023

Cemeteries can be a very unique landscape design opportunity. They have the potential to be a beautiful and peaceful place where people can reflect and find peace.

However, Cemetery Design needs to be sensitive to the surrounding environment and be thoughtful about how the Cemetery can differentiate itself from other typical places. This requires a good master plan and proper site development.

Signage

Signage is an important component of cemetery design. It can help guide visitors and prevent them from getting lost. It should be clear and easy to read from a distance. It should also use materials that can withstand weather conditions.

For example, directional road signs at the Rohatyn Jewish Cemeteries in Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast follow the Ukrainian national standards for size, corner radius, arrow form, and typeface. They feature eye-catching interwar photographs of Rohatyn’s Jewish communities, along with a simple map and key labeling the variety of Jewish physical heritage sites throughout the city.

The signs also include a description of the types of memorials, monuments and headstones allowed at the site. Restrictions may be cemetery wide or apply to specific burial plots. In addition, they should identify the types of urns and caskets that can be used for burial. Some of these include biodegradable urns and caskets that break down in the ground, releasing nutrients into the soil to create new life.

Grading

Cemeteries must be sensitive to the natural surroundings and the cyclic daily weather patterns. They also need to consider a variety of landscape materials and textures in order to blend with the environment.

A well-designed grading system is crucial to a Cemetery’s operation. This helps to prevent flooding and ensures that water is properly directed away from the burial grounds and buildings.

Hard-to-develop areas require responsive cemetery designs that are expressive of the unique setting. It takes more thought and effort to create a functional design for these types of locations but it can be done well.

It is important for both new and existing cemeteries to revisit their master plans on a regular basis, perhaps every five years. This process allows the owner to make adjustments based on market changes and business/financial trends as well as evaluate options for future growth and expansion. The plan can also provide a framework to help reduce project costs.

Drainage

A well conceived drainage system is crucial for any Cemetery. The design should direct water away from gravesites and buildings to avoid any potential flooding. Proper grading is also important, as it allows for proper flow of stormwater and reduces the amount of runoff that can occur on the property.

Good Cemetery Master Planning takes into account both the short and long term needs of a Cemetery. It includes developing a program statement that encompasses burial types and quantities, mausoleums, cremation needs, chapels, office buildings, parking, vehicular and pedestrian circulation.

Whether a Cemetery is located in an urban or rural setting, it can be difficult to maintain the existing landscape. The LA Group can assist in finding ways to improve the ambiance and visual appeal of the property. This can be achieved through signage, plantings, special water features and memorial furniture designs that complement the existing setting. This can help increase marketability and profitability. The LA Group can also provide guidance with grant funding opportunities and volunteer development.

Planting

A cemetery’s planting is a vital part of the overall design. It adds texture, beauty and helps with ground stabilization and erosion control. It should be carefully researched and planned to meet specific climate, soil conditions and flow requirements. This will result in cleaner mowing lines, reduced maintenance and higher aesthetics. It is also important to consider the cemetery’s visitor demographic when planning for planting. For example, a cemetary may not want to plant trees with falling nuts, seeds or fruit near graves.

A well-designed master plan will improve land utilization, increase aesthetics and help maximize marketability. It will also ensure that long and short term goals are met. A cemetery’s master plan should be reviewed on a regular basis. Perhaps every 5 years at a minimum. This can be accomplished through a process that best fits the board’s available time and budget. This could include a series of workshops or a detailed analysis.

Cemeteries serve many functions, including honoring the dead, providing a place of memorial, and serving as a comforting space for mourners. They also provide historical information about communities.

When tracing your ancestors in cemetery records, pay attention to spelling variations and additional writing on the gravestone. This can reveal important family details.

Modern day cemeteries are usually expansive landscapes

Cemeteries are a unique landscape where people come to say their final goodbye. They are also an important part of a city’s identity. The city must make sure to protect this delicate space and provide it with proper care. To do so, it should be able to provide a cohesive plan and optimize land utilization.

An effective drainage system is essential to any cemetery. It must be able to prevent water leakages and ensure that the soil is properly saturated. Additionally, it must be able to provide an environmentally sustainable solution that does not interfere with the burial process.

One interviewee emphasized that Copenhagen’s strategy promotes zoning, which clearly differentiates areas for burial and ash interment from those that are more park-like. This helps visitors understand that they are entering a cemetery and not a public park. This separation is important for preserving the site’s character and maintaining a sense of respect for sorrow. It also helps to prevent the deterioration of the landscape.

They are a place of memorial

Cemeteries provide a serene and respectful space for honoring the departed. The atmosphere of tranquility allows for introspection and processing grief. It also reminds people of their own mortality and can prompt a shift in perspective on the preciousness of life. In addition to offering a place for memorialization, cemeteries also act as an important source of genealogy and social history.

There are many different types of cemeteries, each with a unique ownership structure and financial endowment plan. These factors determine the mix of burial options and memorialization services available. Usually, a cemetery will maintain a burial register that contains at least the name of the person buried and date of death.

Burial in a cemetery gives loved ones and survivors the opportunity to visit their grave, a place that will be there for them forever. Often, the headstone will display special messaging to pay tribute to the deceased and to share memories with others. Some people even bury photographs, letters and other heirlooms.

They are a place of respect

Cemeteries are a unique place that requires respect and privacy. Visitors should refrain from loud laughter or talking, and respect other mourners’ moments of reflection. It is also important to stay within the cemetery’s posted hours.

While some people may use the terms “graveyard” and “cemetery” interchangeably, they have different meanings. Graveyards are usually associated with church grounds, while cemeteries are independent sites that are often located outside of town or city centers. They are usually larger than church graveyards and have more modern family plots.

It is also important to observe the cemetery’s rules regarding floral arrangements. This will help to prevent the spread of disease and keep the grounds clean. It is also important to dispose of all waste properly. If you see trash lying around, please pick it up. This shows respect for your departed loved ones and the caretakers of the cemetery. It will also ensure that you have a peaceful experience while visiting.

They are a place of recreation

There are a number of recreational functions that cemeteries can serve. Some of them include historical tours, bird-watching, and community clean-up days. These activities offer an opportunity for social interaction and learning, and they also help in the healing process of grief.

The cemetery is a space where one can reflect on loved ones and celebrate their life. The act of visiting a grave and leaving flowers is a symbolic way to honor the deceased. Besides being a place of recreation, it is also a space for prayer and meditation.

While Oslo’s and Copenhagen’s strategies differ in their approach, both recognize the importance of balancing memorial function with development as habitats. For example, Copenhagen’s strategy promotes zoning that distinguishes areas for burial and ash interment from those for recreational use. It also seeks to maintain the cemetery’s character, so people will always know that they are in a cemetery and not a park. This will allow them to experience a sense of liminality, which is the key to understanding the cemetery’s meaning and significance in society.

Known as a recreational outdoor gem, Memorial Park also serves as a place to remember those who have served their country. It also maintains a habitat for animals.

An important chapter in Camp Logan’s, Memorial Park’s and Houston’s history is now moving into the light. Learn about it here.

Peaceful Atmosphere

As the participant approaches the entrance of the memorial park, he notices that his mood and feelings have shifted from the ordinary to the sacred. This sense of transition is augmented by the presence of a river, which the SA associates with a boundary zone that separates the area inside the HPMP from the mundane everyday life of the city outside it.

The transition also highlights the importance of the dichotomies of war/peace, death/life, and old/new. These resurface throughout the interview and are associated with different aspects of the memorial’s design and functioning.

As the SA continues his journey through the park, he is absorbed by its calming atmosphere and serene landscapes. This is especially evident when he arrives in front of the A-Dome, which the SA associates with the idea of sacredness and stands out more from its surroundings because of this. Unlike traditional cemeteries, memorial parks use dignified sculptured bronze markers lying flat on a garden-style plot to memorialize a grave.

Dignified Sculptures

The statue of Dignity is a reminder that people matter. Located right off the interstate near Chamberlain, the 50-ft-tall stainless steel sculpture is one of South Dakota’s most popular attractions. Lamphere created the piece to honor his Native American roots and show what he could do with stainless steel.

Sculptors have long memorialized their subjects in different ways. Early memorials tended to idealize their subjects by placing them on pedestals. However, the sculpture of Eleanor Roosevelt humanizes her subject. The statue shows her in everyday clothing, and she stands on the ground rather than a pedestal.

Similarly, the bronze statue of Isom Clemon depicts him in his labor union role. He’s surrounded by five smaller statues that represent the principles of his labor movement work.

A Countryside Treasure

Memorial Park is one of the most beautiful places to visit in the Village. It is a place where residents can honor their loved ones while enjoying the natural beauty of the setting. It is also a place of peace for those who want to meditate and reflect on the lives of their friends and family members.

Unlike traditional cemeteries, which are filled with competing headstones, memorial parks feature large sections of pastoral and uniform lawn areas for flat bronze or stone markers that do not stand up above the ground. Instead, central water features or statuary may be used to delineate the sections of a memorial park.

A hidden treasure nestled within the heart of a city, Mildred Kanipe Memorial Park offers extraordinary rural beauty in a serene setting. Thousands of people visit this final resting place to run, walk or simply enjoy its peaceful surroundings. Located on Marcellus Road, this picturesque park is the most popular place in the Village to honor loved ones who have passed away.

A Final Resting Place

Whether your loved one was buried or cremated, there is an option for you to create a final resting place that offers dignity and honor. The choice you make now can help your family cope with grief, connect to the past and build a future for generations to come.

The primary design of a memorial park includes large sections of pastoral, uniform lawn areas with flat bronze or granite monuments that do not stand above the ground. The monuments are designed to be dignified and share the life of your loved one with visitors.

This type of cemetery is sometimes referred to as an eco-cemetery because of its green approach to burial. Some families prefer natural burial grounds that return the earth to nature more quickly. Natural burial sites typically do not have conventional headstones, but instead include a bush, rock or tree to mark the location of a grave site. Many family members visit their loved ones’ graves on meaningful dates like birthdays or anniversaries.

The funeral bureau regulates all funeral homes, directors and embalmers. It investigates consumer complaints and provides information to the public about the industry.

Whether you make arrangements for a home funeral in advance or leave money for survivors to pay for your final wishes, you can save money by comparing prices and services. Contact your local or state funeral board for details.

Services

In addition to funeral arrangements, a funeral bureau may provide other services related to the disposal of a dead body, such as arranging for a grave or crematory or providing transportation to the cemetery or crematorium. In these cases, the funeral establishment must comply with applicable laws.

Some funeral providers enter into agreements with religious groups or burial societies to arrange funerals for members at special prices. When a representative of these organizations inquires about funeral arrangements, you must make your price lists available to them.

If you charge a non-declinable fee for basic services of the funeral director and staff, it must be listed separately on your General Price List together with the required disclosures. This fee must include all charges for overhead that are not allocated to the other goods and services you sell. You cannot include a separate charge for a casket handling fee, for example, as this falls outside of the three categories allowed under the Rule.

Licensing

Depending on where you live, your funeral home may be licensed by your state’s Funeral Board. Licensing requirements can vary widely between states, but most require you to pass a state law exam and national funeral service standards exam. Some boards also require you to complete continuing education courses to keep your license active.

Unless you offer only package funerals, you must provide a General Price List (GPL) to any consumer who asks in person about funeral goods and services or prices. This rule applies even if you discuss prices with consumers over the phone or in writing. It also applies if you are removing a body from the hospital or a private residence, or while providing transportation to the cemetery.

The California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau licenses embalmers, funeral directors, funeral establishments, incinerated remains disposers and almost 200 private cemeteries in the state. It also investigates complaints against these businesses and can take disciplinary action when necessary.

Insurance

Many families come into a funeral home with little or no money to cover final expenses. An effective insurance program increases at-need calls, protects the funeral home’s market territory, solves account receivable problems and provides commission income.

Funeral insurance is very similar to other types of life insurance. A monthly premium is paid, which goes towards a lump sum upon death that can be used for whatever the beneficiary desires. Typically, this figure is not restricted to just funeral costs and can also be used for debts, fees incurred with the management of an estate or other costs related to death.

Burial insurance policies are available through independent or captive life insurance agents, as well as some funeral service providers. Some providers even offer pre-need and prepaid funeral plans to help consumers plan ahead. There are also several affordable burial insurance options for individuals with limited funds or a poor health history, including Simplified Issue and Guaranteed Issue policies.

Final Arrangements

When a loved one dies, survivors must quickly make many decisions under great emotional duress. These include the choice of a funeral home, whether to bury or cremate, and final arrangements. The Department of Consumer Affairs’ Cemetery and Funeral Bureau (Bureau) promotes consumer protection and licensee compliance through proactive education, investigation, consistent interpretation and application of the laws governing funeral homes and cemeteries.

Some funeral providers enter into agreements with religious or burial societies to arrange funerals for society members at special prices. If you offer these arrangements, you must follow the Rule’s requirements when an individual from the society inquires about goods and services or alters a pre-need contract. You must give the survivor a General Price List, Casket Price List and an itemized Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected. You may add these items to your regular price lists or prepare separate price lists for these situations. You must also comply with the other Rule provisions.

A mortuary is a place where autopsies are performed. It may be attached to a funeral home or a Department or Institute of Forensic Medicine.

Generally speaking, mortuaries are less-comfortable, bare-bones operations than full-service funeral homes. Some offer a curated selection of casket choices, lawn markers and upright monuments. Others provide assistance with online and newspaper obituaries.

Preparation of the Body

In our LinkedIn poll, 68% of respondents agreed that a mortuary is a place that stores and prepares bodies for cremation or burial. However, most standalone morgues do not have funeral directors on staff. Funeral homes, on the other hand, offer a full range of services in relation to memorialization and funerals.

This includes the preparation of the body by embalming, which is done by draining blood and injecting the corpse with a solution that slows down the decomposition process. They then wash the body and dress it in clothing that the family selects. They may also carry out cosmetic embalming to improve the deceased’s appearance.

A mortuary is usually refrigerated to prevent biological decay, and the bodies stored here are often awaiting identification, autopsy, respectful burial or cremation. A mortuary can be found in hospitals and some other public health facilities. The government has regulations for who can store and handle bodies.

Embalming

The embalming process is a series of steps in which a mixture of preservatives, sanitizers and disinfectants are used to delay decomposition. This allows relatives to spend more time in the presence of their loved ones and gives mourners time to say goodbye.

Embalming is a popular choice for funerals as it can be an important step in the grieving process. However, it is not a requirement and can be avoided. In some cases, such as when a family chooses a natural or eco-friendly burial, it is not possible to embalm.

Before beginning the embalming process, the embalmer will verify that they have the correct body and review the medical certificate of death. Then they will place the body on the mortuary table in the supine anatomical position. After this the body will be washed. A tube is then inserted into the carotid artery and another into the jugular vein. The fluid is then pumped through the tubes and into the bloodstream, which circulates around the body.

Identification

Identifying the dead is a very sensitive task, and is often done in a private room. In films and on TV, the person identifying a body has to gasp as the sheet or bag is opened, but in real life, identification is much more discreet and consists of comparing photographs. Circumstantial evidence such as scars, birthmarks, and distinctive marks on clothing may also help to determine a person’s identity.

In mass fatality incidents such as a terrorist attack or natural disaster, identification can be more difficult. In these cases, forensic facial reconstruction is used to attempt to reconstruct what the person looked like. This is a very delicate process that requires great skill and training.

Many families cannot travel to the mortuary to see their loved one, which can add to the stress of identification. In these circumstances, funeral homes can offer easyID to help ease this process. Using photographs to verify identity can save families time and money and allows the funeral home to complete the process in a comfortable location for the family.

Disposition

Mortuary staff use a variety of tools for preparation of the body including cutting instruments. Sharps (scalpels, scissors and lancets) pose a significant hazard and should be placed in a proper disposal container. Usually, medical waste contractors can assist with this.

Depending on the culture, the final disposition process can include a burial or cremation. Some cultures bury their deceased in tombs either individually or as part of large tracts of land that house graveyards. Other cultures may store their dead in above-ground tombs such as mausoleums. In the event of a natural disaster or war, bodies are sometimes stored in mass graves or plague pits.

A mortuary’s responsibilities also involve facilitating families who wish to spend time with their deceased relative in a chapel or relatives room before removing them from the facility. This is a sensitive and important task for staff to perform. A good mortuary management team will ensure that family members are given the space and privacy they need to say their last farewells.

A graveyard is a place where people are buried. It can also be called a cemetery or burial ground. Historically, church graveyards were used to bury the dead. When they began to fill up, independent sites called cemeteries were created.

A cemetery is generally not associated with a specific religion, so both followers and non-followers can be interred there.

Ground cover plants

Ground cover plants can provide a welcome burst of color and are easy to care for. Many are drought-tolerant, like the hardy ice plant (Sempervivum), and others feature delicate flowers, like the minty Mentha requienii. The shade-loving Viola sororia has unique freckled purple flowers in spring and is a fast grower.

In the graveyard, these plants can also serve as a living memorial to loved ones, and they can be used to honor ancestors. Planting them is a wonderful way to remember those who have passed on, and it can be a consoling and meditative experience for the living.

Choose low-growing varieties that fill in quickly and choke out weeds without being invasive. Shown here, a mix of purple-leaved ajuga, fine-textured thyme, and mounding Japanese forest grass hugs a bluestone walk. These plants are low-maintenance and offer a pleasing, colorful backdrop to the gravestones. In addition, these plants help attract insects that pollinate nearby crops.

Plants good for planting on a grave

There are many types of flowers that can be planted on a grave. Some have decorative blooms, while others are unpretentious and do not require special care. For example, geraniums can be used as an attractive ground cover and will look good in most climates. However, they should be kept trimmed to prevent overgrowth that can obscure the headstone.

Another good choice is chrysanthemums. These are easy to maintain and will look great all season long. They also reseed themselves for continuous flowering. Other plants that are suitable for grave sites include calendula, echinacea and rudbeckia. However, it is best to avoid planting large-spreading plants, as they may interfere with mowing.

It is important to find out from the cemetery caretaker what the soil type is and how much sunlight it gets, as this will influence the selection of plants. Some plants will thrive in shady areas and do not need watering. Helleborus, also known as Christmas roses, are another option because they can withstand frost and lack of sunlight.

Flowers good for planting on a grave

Planting flowers on a grave is a beautiful way to honor a loved one. Many people choose to plant flowers that remind them of their loved one, such as chrysanthemums, geraniums, and pink daisies. These plants are also easy to care for and bloom all summer. They are also good for ground cover because they grow well in the shade.

You should always check with the person who maintains a grave site to ensure that it is okay to add flowers. This will prevent invasiveness and ensure that the flowers are safe from being mowed. If you are allowed to plant on the grave, consider adding spring bulbs like snowdrops, crocuses, and daffodils. These bulbs will reseed and come back year after year.

You can also plant rose bushes on the grave. However, this may require frequent pruning. If you want to avoid this, opt for miniature rose bushes or rose trees. These are easier for maintenance crews to work around.

Long-lasting plants for graves

Many people like to plant flowers on their loved ones’ graves. Depending on the type of flower, they can last from a few days to a week. However, you must check the rules and regulations of the cemetery or church as some may require regular supplemental watering or a particular care routine.

The re-use of grave sites purchased in advance can be more complicated as the holders of burial rights may have died and contacting them decades later is difficult (although public notice is often sufficient to inform families of any re-use). This can cause distress and a refusal by some families to allow their loved ones’ graves to be re-used.

For shady plots, consider planting ground cover plants such as ferns. Ferns such as Polypodium, Dryopteris affinis ‘Crispa Gracilis’ or hart’s tongue fern can help provide a tranquil atmosphere. For a colorful summer display, try the low-maintenance annual portulaca. It grows well in sunny or shady areas and produces brightly-colored flowers until frost.

Cemeteries need to be more than a place to lay a grave. They must be a vibrant celebration of life, family, history and individuality integrated within a shared community. This requires a unique kind of know-how.

The best way to prepare for future cemetery development is with a master plan. A well conceived master plan will optimize land utilization, increase marketability and improve aesthetics.

Master Plan

The master plan is the primary document for cemetery design and is a key tool to guide a client throughout the planning process. It establishes the management’s vision for the cemetery and determines what products, services and features will be offered. It also includes a financial model and projections.

The plan provides an opportunity to develop a unique, cohesive site with a sense of place that will engage the visitor. The development of a “landscape with graves” offers the possibility of providing a more natural landscape than the typical, empty, homogenous expanses that line every highway in America.

It is recommended that the master plan incorporates a flexible approach that considers future changes in consumer buying trends and interment preferences. This will allow a cemetery to respond quickly and effectively to changing market conditions without losing its investment in a thoughtfully designed burial section. This flexibility should include the option to convert an existing unused section of land for traditional casketed burials into cremation burial sites.

Landscaping

The cemetery landscape must be both beautiful and functional. A professional designer can help you achieve the right balance with thoughtful planning and design.

Cemetery landscaping should be flowing, allowing for cleaner mowing lines, lower maintenance, enhanced aesthetics and even better wildlife habitat. Trees with berries, nuts or seeds are best positioned away from burial plots, and the cemetery layout should include water features and other natural or man-made ponds to provide calming beauty to visitors.

Many older cemeteries are working to balance the needs of preserving grave space for future generations with the desire to keep the historic landscape as it is and make it more environmentally sustainable. For example, Green-Wood has partnered with Rossi to develop a program for turf removal by using an environmentally friendly sod product. The resulting grassland is resilient and requires less watering and fertilizer than traditional turf. It also produces less carbon dioxide and provides shade and soil retention.

Accessibility

A cemetery is a unique place that requires special consideration. It must be a serene place for remembrance but it also needs to accommodate different cultural perspectives, allow for individualization and meet the demands of the growing cremation movement. It is a place that needs to be a beautiful place to visit and a vibrant community space.

Dragoni’s design was based on the idea of “community through art”. His goal was to show that a cemetery could be more than just a burial ground. The sculptural forms of the memorial are intended to evoke feelings of contemplation and reflection.

Mourners often leave flowers on columbarium walls, a relatively space efficient use of land in a cemetery compared to a grave. Unlike conventional graves where a headstone marks the location of the grave, columbarium walls typically have only small plaques that are affixed to the niche wall. Some plaques are able to accommodate a small posy or flower that is placed within the niche.

Signage

A cemetery is a place to remember the dead, but it must also be a welcoming space for visitors. Proper signage is essential to help people find their way around the grounds and locate specific gravesites. Signage may include directional signs, memorial plaques, cemetery rules, and maps.

The space available on physical signs is limited by the size of typeface fonts that are legible in an outdoor setting and by the overall size and shape of the sign. This constraint means that information about a burial site must be prioritized and included on the most important or significant physical signs. Additional information in digital formats without size constraints may be included on the internet and on mobile phone touring applications that link to physical signs.

The LA Group specializes in comprehensive design work that reflects the complexity of historic cemeteries and mass grave sites. This includes materially with the landscape and memorial designs, but also conceptually in terms of surveys, communication and guiding strategies for visitation.

A cemetery is a place where people visit to remember their loved ones who have passed away. They can also learn about the history of the community from their gravestones.

While many people see cemeteries as a sad place, they can be a wonderful space for reflection and peace. It is important to respect the privacy of those who are buried there and not disturb them.

Origin

Originally, providing a resting place for one’s loved ones was a family duty. This reflected the widespread belief that ties of kinship last beyond death. The family might bury its members in a grave, tomb, above-ground vault, mausoleum, or columbarium.

A cemetery is a large burial ground independent of any church, and it usually contains various styles of tombs, mausoleums, and columbaria, reflecting the different cultures and beliefs around death. It also has administrative offices and grounds and facilities for the funeral service, interment, and maintenance of the cemetery’s infrastructure. The word cemetery is derived from the Greek words for “sleeping place” and is a secular alternative to church-affiliated graveyards. The word is also related to the Latin word coemeterium, for “burial ground.” The term was first used in the 19th century for large public cemeteries that were not attached to a church. It is often used interchangeably with the term graveyard, but some people prefer to reserve the latter for private burials.

Functions

A cemetery carries multiple social and individual functions. It is a place where the relationship between the dead and bereaved can be maintained. It is a site where the bereaved find consolation in visiting and commemorating the deceased, in planting around the grave, and in decorating the plot. It is also a location where family and community loyalties are linked and reaffirmed.

The location, arrangement, and design of a cemetery reflect basic cultural beliefs about death and life, the social class of its inhabitants, and the prevailing notions of sanitation. Its inscriptions and the size, shape and color of grave markers emphasize beliefs about resurrection, eternal life and the boundaries between the worlds of the living and the dead.

The difference between a graveyard and a cemetery is its association or lack of association with a church. Graveyards are associated with a church and are often located within the church’s grounds or campus while cemeteries are not associated with a particular church and may be quite expansive in size.

Styles

Grave markers, headstones and monuments can be found in many styles to match a family’s preferences. They can be flat or raised and may be set flush on the ground, or they can be displayed in a slant marker style. A slant marker is wider at the bottom and tapers to a more narrow top causing the back of the memorial to be higher than the front.

A very popular design is a book or scroll shape, often appearing as flat markers but also in upright headstones. This is an elegant and distinctive way to mark a grave.

Other unique shapes include a cross, or a carved animal that symbolizes strength, courage, the military, or that person’s love of nature. A dolphin for example could represent intelligence, freedom or teamwork and a lion might signify power or strength. Alternatively, a garden statue is a beautiful way to commemorate your loved one and can be placed outside of a cemetery.

Locations

Various factors influence the location of cemeteries. For example, sanitary precautions in the past led to church graveyards being located outside the walls of city centers; this prevented the spread of infectious diseases. Similarly, zoning regulations may limit the number of graves that can be permitted in an area.

Some modern cemeteries are located away from city centers to protect them from potential pollution and congestion. These are usually called rural or garden cemeteries, and may include park-like landscaping and memorial gardens.

In addition to the traditional cemetery style, many families choose to use columbariums (niches) for the interment of cremated remains. These are often combined with a mausoleum and may be found on the grounds of the cemetery or within the grounds of another funeral home.

Whether the cemetery is public or private, the management of the facility will dictate the financial viability through on-going maintenance charges and perpetual care funds. In addition, the management will have sole and exclusive control over all grading, planting, surveying and improvement of individual lots in the cemetery.

Located on Marcellus Road, memorial park is one of the Village’s most beautiful places for residents to enjoy. The park has a rich history dating back to the early 1900s.

The Park was once home to a native zoo. Its animals were rustic and blended in with our local environment.

History

Almost 100 years ago, the United States entered World War I (1914-1918), a brutal conflict that claimed 116,000 lives. The Allies gained a decisive advantage in the European battlefields, and at the eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918, an armistice was signed.

Rather than the competing headstones of traditional cemeteries, memorial parks use tasteful bronze monuments lying flat on landscaped plots. Central water features, statuary and other site amenities accentuate the overall beauty of the park-like burial grounds.

The park was originally created to honor local service members who died in the Great War (WWI). It is a secluded open space nestled among old-growth redwoods that offers a multitude of camping, picnicking and hiking opportunities. Visitors will find a wide variety of plant and animal species, including banana slugs, woodpeckers, owls, Steller’s jays, deer and squirrels. The park is also home to a seasonal creek and Pescadero State Beach.

Memorial Walls

Memorial Park is home to one of Long Island’s most fitting 9-11 memorials and also includes a Veterans Memorial honoring all village residents who served their nation. Memorials are found throughout the Park including a Vietnam Veterans Memorial and the USS Columbia warship memorial.

The central piece of the park is the Wall South, a permanent memorial to the names of the American service members who died in the Vietnam War. Modeled after the Wall in Washington, D.C., the Memorial is unique because of its concrete walls and openings which allow light to shine through them and illuminate the names on the monument.

The main focus of SPLOST 2020 Project #16 is to replace failed stormwater structures currently hindering Memorial Park’s ability to function. The existing pond and forebay require dredging, re-engineering and significant repairs to prevent further failure. Visit the project story map to learn more details and provide feedback on the proposed designs.

Doughboy Statue

The bronze statue depicts a World War I foot soldier wearing an overseas cap, or doughboy. It was sculpted by Alonzo Victor Lewis, who also created several other WWI memorials around the region.

Lewis first modeled the doughboy in plaster for a 1921 reunion of local soldiers, then cast it in bronze to honor those from Caddo County who died in the Great War. A similar sculpture stands in Lincoln Park, and a third can be found in Palmer Park.

The doughboy is positioned at the memorial park’s “mustering ground” where local troops gathered before going off to fight in WWI. Ten of these local men never returned home, earning them the distinction of making the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The memorial commemorates all the local service members who made this ultimate sacrifice, and a nearby plaque lists their names. The memorial is a fine example of the type of artwork that prompted battles over its meaning and symbolism during the time it was being constructed.

Peace Statue

The Peace Statue, also known as the Children’s Peace Monument or the Atomic Bomb Children’s Memorial, was built in 1958 and honors the thousands of children who died as a result of the Hiroshima nuclear bombing. The statue depicts a young girl named Sadako Sasaki holding a wire crane above her head. It is based on the Japanese legend that states that anyone who folds one thousand paper cranes will be granted a wish. Sadako began folding origami cranes shortly before she died of radiation poisoning and hoped her final wish would be for world peace.

The statue is a symbol of hope, and her closed eyes represent prayers and respect for the victims of the bombing. The bent right leg symbolizes meditation and the left is a reminder that war must never be repeated. The sculpture stands atop a hill at the memorial park, which also houses other military monuments, including a colonnade for World War II and ones commemorating the Korean and Vietnam Wars.

The Bureau licenses funeral practitioners, funeral establishments and crematoriums. It also registers intern embalmers and investigates consumer/provider complaints. The Board also upholds high ethical standards for the industry.

You must give consumers a General Price List (GPL) when they inquire about funeral arrangements, whether by telephone or in person. You may offer package funerals, but you must also provide an itemized statement.

Licensing requirements

The funeral industry requires a license to operate. Licensed funeral directors and embalmers must complete educational requirements, pass national and state board exams, and serve an apprenticeship or internship. In addition, they must be of good moral character and be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident. Some states prohibit applicants with felony convictions from receiving a license. However, these matters are handled on a case-by-case basis.

Licensing requirements vary by state, but generally include: a high school diploma and a minimum of one or two years general collegiate coursework, mortuary college, and national and state board examinations. Licensing is also required for funeral establishments, crematoriums, and individuals engaged in the care and disposition of dead bodies.

Funeral providers must give a General Price List (GPL) to people who inquire in person about outer burial container offerings and prices. The GPL must contain at least the retail price of each type of outer burial container offered and enough information to identify each item. You do not have to send the GPL to people who make inquiries by telephone or mail, but you must provide them with the information upon request.

General price list

Price shopping funeral items and services can uncover savings and help you avoid overpaying. However, the emotional impact of losing a loved one can cloud judgment, so it is important to make thoughtful decisions and take your time. It is also important to understand your rights when you make arrangements with a funeral home or cemetery.

A discussion that includes prices or the selection of funeral goods and services triggers the requirement to offer a General Price List (GPL). This is true even if it takes place outside the funeral home. It is also a violation of the Rule to charge for a GPL or place conditions on its availability.

If you offer packages for direct cremations, your GPL must describe the services and container included in each price. You must also separately describe the price for forwarding and receiving remains and a basic services fee. You may include a description of the containers you offer in your GPL or incorporate this information into a book that contains photographs of each container.

Arrangements conference

The arrangements conference is a time set aside for the funeral director to meet with family members to discuss the details of a meaningful tribute and final disposition. This meeting can take anywhere from 30 minutes to several hours, and it’s important that families are well-prepared. This will help them avoid any surprises or confusion during an already stressful and emotional time.

During the arrangement conference, a family should provide the funeral home with all necessary information about their loved one. This includes their social security number, birth and death dates, military status, place of death and more. This information is used to file the death certificate, request veterans burial benefits and life insurance claims.

During the arrangements conference, the funeral home should also present you with their General Price List and written descriptions of goods and services that they offer. They are required by law to give you this information before you sign any contracts.

Complaints

While most funeral homes, cemeteries and crematories strive to provide excellent service and satisfaction, errors and misunderstandings do occur. If you are dissatisfied with a particular provider, it is important to communicate your concerns directly with him or her. Meeting face-to-face is the best way to do this, but you can also communicate via phone or letter.

Most states have a board, agency or bureau that oversees funeral and cemetery services within their borders. Once you locate this oversight group, contact them via telephone or letter and inquire about the complaint-submission process.

In California, the Funeral Consumer Advocate’s office licenses 13 distinct permitting classifications in the death care industry, including funeral establishments, embalmers, apprentice embalmers, cemetery brokers and salespeople, and nearly two hundred private cemeteries. It also investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action when necessary. It also establishes qualifications for funeral directors and embalmers, and ensures that mortuary science programs offer supervised internships for students.