Year: 2024

Cemetery Design is a challenging job for the architect. It must follow the spiritual trend of the burial culture and the contemporary funeral customs as well.

The new innovative strategies must substantially solve the current problems of urban cemeteries like space burial, tree burial, eco burial and high technology columbarium.

Landscape Design

The landscape of a cemetery is not only a reflection of the deceased but also the living. The landscape design must reflect both and also be environmentally sustainable.

A well-planned layout provides for cleaner mowing lines, lower maintenance and enhanced aesthetics. Ponds and other water features are also important for cemetery landscape design, as is proper soil research for the climate and flow of the site.

Cemetery plantings are a way for friends and family to express their love and respect for the departed. There is a tradition of ascribing emotions and traits to flowers known as the language of flowers.

A cemetery must balance the need to generate income and maintain a historic landscape with ecologically sound design and management. The LA Group can help with this by assessing the site, identifying opportunities for funding and volunteer development, and designing cost-effective growth and restoration strategies. This will ensure the cemetery’s long-term viability and allow it to remain a unique cultural snapshot of a community.

Lighting

The lighting of a cemetery is an important aspect for both visitors and staff. It must be carefully considered to ensure that it doesn’t disrupt the ambiance of the place and does not give off a negative feeling to those who visit.

Many families like to decorate their loved ones’ graves with lights. This is a way of showing that they love and remember them even after death. The soft glow of the lights gives a comforting ambiance and shows that bonds of love do not die.

One innovative solution to this problem is the use of solar lights. These are designed to be left outside in all weather conditions and work by converting sunlight into electricity during the day. This energy is then stored in a battery and used at night. They are also more affordable and require less maintenance than traditional candles. This can help reduce costs and maintain the beauty of the cemetery.

Miscellaneous Signage

Cemeteries may require signs to direct traffic to the location. These signs can be either generic or named cemetery signs, depending on the needs of the cemetery. Typically, the signs are placed at the cemetery entrance or on highway intersections near the cemetery.

Many people want to add a personal touch to their loved one’s gravesite. This can be done with flowers, statues, and even small trinkets. These items can reflect the person’s personality and interests. It can also be a way to commemorate important events in their life, like birthdays or anniversaries.

However, some items are not allowed on the gravesites including shepherd’s hooks, glass objects/containers, clay or ceramic pots, rocks, shells, toys, stuffed animals, solar lights and wreaths. These types of decorations are a hassle for the cemetery maintenance department and can cause safety hazards for visitors. They can also cause damage to the headstone and the surrounding area. The best way to decorate a grave is to be mindful of other visitors and follow the cemetery guidelines.

Grave Size

Many people are unsure of the standard grave size. This varies by state and cemetery guidelines, but most are generally 24″ x 12″ x 4″. This allows enough room for a headstone and also meets individual cemetery requirements.

Graves were originally 6 feet deep in order to prevent body snatching and to keep scavengers from gaining access to the dead. However, these orders were only made during the 1665 plague in London and didn’t stay in effect long.

In some cases, the grave may be deeper than six feet depending on local regulations and soil conditions. Here in Texas, for example, the law states that the casket must be covered by a minimum of two feet of earth, but this refers to the top of the casket not the bottom. This ensures that worms and other organisms will not have access to the bodies and cause infection. It also helps to keep the ground from shifting and making graves unstable.

A cemetery is a special place to remember loved ones. You can find a lot of information from the gravestones themselves, like dates of death, and how wealthy or poor the family was.

Visiting cemeteries can be dangerous, so you should always bring another person and a working cell phone with you. There are many hazards, such as snakes, poison ivy and thorn bushes.

Graves

Graves are the space in which a body is interred. The grave is usually a single depth grave for one burial and is encased in a vault or in a concrete chamber.

It was once common to bury multiple bodies in one grave, either for convenience or as a means of managing the large numbers of dead people. This practice also reduced the time and expense of reopening, preparing and cleaning a grave.

Graves are dug by experienced personnel in order to provide a safe, dignified resting place and for safety reasons. The ground must be deep enough to prevent a cave-in and to provide sufficient space for the coffin to lie flat. Some older graves may be re-used, but only after public notice has been given.

Headstones

A headstone stands as a sentinel at the head of the grave and usually features an inscription that pays tribute to a life lived. It can also include images and symbols that are meaningful to your loved one.

Monuments are larger than headstones and come in a variety of shapes and styles, from traditional rectangles to elaborate sculptures. These may also have a built-in flower vase.

Pre-purchasing a memorial can help avoid the stress and expense of making these decisions at a time when you’re already mourning your loved one. Additionally, paying in advance locks in prices and can save your family money on future expenses due to inflation. These benefits can bring comfort to your family when they’re grieving for your loss.

Niches

A graveyard is more than just a place to rest the dead. It also provides quiet nooks for meditation and tranquil spaces to reflect on the ephemeral nature of life. The carefully crafted landscaping merges architecture and nature, creating serene aesthetics that promote contemplation.

Cemeteries are a popular setting for novels in many genres. From haunted Victorian-era headstones to crypt-riddled catacombs, cemetery settings are an excellent backdrop for horror fiction.

In this novel, a group of teenagers venture into a forest-shrouded cemetery to play a spooky game that’s been the subject of urban legends in their small town. But this seemingly innocent game could have deadly consequences.

Memorials

Memorials allow people to express their love and respect for a loved one. This can be in the form of a monument, mausoleum, headstone or plaque. Some families like to add accessories such as flags, flowers, wind chimes, religious statues and crosses or photos in frames.

The design of a memorial influences how visitors engage with it, and is an important factor in the healing process. Drawing on Gibson’s notion of affordance, we analyze how different material dimensions of memorial design facilitate, guide, invite and forbid certain actions. We develop a matrix for comparison that consists of ten interconnected dimensions:

Maintenance

Maintaining a cemetery requires a delicate balance between aesthetics and the site’s primary function as a place of solace and remembrance. A well-planned, sustainable approach can keep spaces beautiful and welcoming for generations to come. Using native plants that require less water and maintenance, using mulch to retain soil moisture, and keeping vegetation trimmed away from monuments can improve the longevity of cemetery landscapes and structures.

Creating and maintaining a system for recording burial plot sales, interment details, grave ownership, genealogical information, and maintenance records is essential for cemetery management. Using cemetery software, such as CIMS, can streamline this process and eliminate the need for manual paperwork.

Managing a cemetery is expensive, and many sites struggle with funding. This can lead to the re-use of grave sites that have already been paid for, which can be upsetting to families.

A memorial park is a public space dedicated to commemorating people or events. It typically consists of monuments and statues.

Gold Star family members can have their loved ones’ names inscribed on the granite markers, which evoke tombstones. The site also honors heroic figures from the worlds of philanthropy, women’s rights and law and education.

Vietnam War

The Vietnam War, fought from 1955 to 1975, was one of the most devastating wars in modern history. Over 3.1 million Vietnamese and 58,000 American citizens died in the conflict.

The conflict was a proxy battle for the global Cold War. American leaders believed that if the communist North Vietnamese and Viet Cong captured South Vietnam, it would lead to a domino effect, causing Laos and Cambodia to fall under Communist control.

In 1979, Yale student Maya Lin won a competition to design the memorial for veterans of the Vietnam War. Her design featured a black wall inscribed with the names of those who died or went missing during the war. The memorial was dedicated in 1982. The park also features the Three Servicemen Statue and a monument to women who served in the military.

Korean War

The impact:

Starting in mid-March, construction on the Wall of Remembrance will take place along with a general rehabilitation of the Memorial. The Memorial will remain open during the 18 month project though some areas including the Pool of Remembrance will be inaccessible.

The remembrance of the 1.5 million men and women who died in the Korean War begins here. The entrance to the Memorial features a full-height glass wall that overlooks the stream, outdoor Memorial Wall and excavation. Visitors can also interact with a kiosk containing the Korean War Honor Roll that lists the names of servicemen who died worldwide during this war.

Cold War

The Cold War was not a single event, but rather a continuum of military and intelligence evolution and major social, cultural, and economic changes both within the United States and around the world. The new memorial will embody these complex and interconnected narratives of service, sacrifice, and innovation.

The design by Oyler Wu Collaborative – a Los Angeles-based firm – features a formal structure influenced by the landscape and shaped by it. It emerges from the earth to form a place of reflection and discovery, honoring veterans’ service in the face of perilous uncertainty.

World War II

The World War II Memorial tells the story of America’s greatest military victory. The centerpiece of the memorial is a bronze statue of six marines raising an American flag on Iwo Jima. This iconic image boosted morale for the United States in a critical moment of the war.

Throughout the memorial, granite columns representing each of the 56 U.S. states and territories ring an impressive pool. Sculptures and bas-relief panels, including one honoring Rosie the Riveter, chronicle Americans’ participation in the war, both overseas and at home.

Twin Atlantic and Pacific pavilions symbolize a war fought across two oceans. A wall of gold stars reminds Americans that 400,000 made the ultimate sacrifice in support of freedom and liberty. The memorial attempts to unify public memory of the conflict.

Afghanistan

The forbidding landscape of Afghanistan has made it a prize sought by empire builders for millennia, but its fiercely independent peoples have resisted all attempts to subdue them. In the Islamic Era, Afghanistan’s rulers promoted learning and artistic development.

The Bamiyan Buddha statues, carved into the dappled sandstone of the mountains, stood for more than 1500 years until they were destroyed by Taliban fighters in 2001. Beneath the shards and rubble, geologists and other experts hope to reunite fragments to re-create the colossal buddhas.

The Taliban imposed a strict dress code on women and required them to have a male chaperone (mahram) accompany them in public. These and other restrictive policies are being replaced with the promise of freedom.

If you love helping people at a time when they are in need, becoming a funeral director might be the career for you. In order to become a licensed funeral director in California, you need to meet certain requirements.

To start, you must have a high school diploma or equivalent and complete a one-year apprenticeship. In addition, you need to pass the state law exam and national board exam.

Professionalism

Funeral directors must have a high level of empathy for their families as they journey through grief. This connection drives operational productivity, positive reviews and a fiercely loyal customer base. Moreover, a good funeral director can connect with clients in a way that helps them understand their options and what each option means for their situation.

If washing or dressing the body is important to religious and cultural practices, funeral homes should work with religious leaders and community members to ensure that it’s done properly. They should also use personal protective equipment to reduce any risk of infection during the process.

The California Cemetery and Funeral Bureau regulates funeral establishments, funeral directors, embalmers, and registered intern embalmers and investigates complaints against them. It also issues licenses to burial and cremation providers and maintains statistical data on the industry. It also oversees funeral home inspections. In addition, it provides education and training to funeral service practitioners.

Honesty

Honesty is a crucial component of ethical funeral service and mortuary practice. Studies show that dishonesty leads to a higher stress response, and that honesty is associated with greater levels of trust. Honesty is also essential to maintaining a high level of professional competency. It helps develop the right moral character, and provides a strong foundation for progression in one’s career.

It’s important to remember that funeral homes and embalmers must be licensed by their state boards. You can find more information about licensing requirements by contacting your state board.

In addition to the state licensing requirements, you should also follow the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s guidelines for worker safety. This includes using proper disinfection protocols and wearing personal protective equipment.

It is illegal for anyone other than a licensed funeral director to make arrangements, prepare the body, or supervise burial. In addition, only a licensed funeral director or an undertaker can file a death certificate at the Burial Desk in Manhattan and Brooklyn.

Reputation

A funeral bureau’s reputation depends on how well it performs its duties. You can learn more about a funeral home’s reputation by visiting their website and checking their reviews. You can also contact past clients to ask for their opinion about the funeral home’s services.

The funeral consumer’s rights are protected by the Funeral Consumers Alliance, a nonprofit organization that has been promoting advance planning for funeral needs and protecting consumers’ right to choose a funeral since 1963. The organization also provides information on how to file a complaint against a funeral establishment or funeral director.

It is important to honor a decedent’s wishes regarding tissue and organ donation. This can be done by signing the donor space on the back of their license, including their wishes in their wills, and informing family members.

Value

Some funeral providers enter into agreements with religious groups, burial societies, or memorial societies to arrange pre-need arrangements for their members at special prices. If representatives of such groups inquire about funeral arrangements on behalf of individual members, the provider must give those members price lists.

Your General Price List must include a non-declinable fee for basic services of the funeral director and staff, together with a listing of the principal services provided for that price. You may also list a separate non-declinable fee for “unallocated overhead,” that is, overhead not allocated to any of the goods and services listed on your GPL.

Families that choose to use insurance policies/assignments to pay for services and merchandise must be given a statement of your cash advance policy, a sample Insurance Processing Form and a sample Itemized Statement of Goods and Services Selected. Alternatively, you may prepare and display an itemized Statement of Merchandise and Service Selections for cash advance items that is comparable to your GPL and Casket Price List.

The morgue is a place where bodies are stored temporarily. As we’re sure you know from your favorite movie or TV show, these facilities are typically located within hospitals and medical centers.

However, mortuaries can also be found attached to funeral homes. These facilities provide a more holistic approach to the emotional release of the decedent and may offer more extensive services like embalming and onsite cremation.

Morgue

The morgue is a place where the bodies of the deceased are stored until they can be released to family members or buried. They are usually found in hospitals, typically on the lowest floor or basement.

Working in the mortuary requires a high level of professionalism, respect, and attention to detail. The job also involves handling delicate and emotional subjects. Morgue workers are responsible for preparing and storing the bodies of dead individuals and conducting autopsies, among other tasks.

Mortuary facilities need to be equipped with refrigeration units for storage of cadavers before and after embalming. They also need to have storage for caskets and urns, which are used for funeral services. It is important to have durable mortuary equipment that is strong enough to hold bariatric bodies and can be moved easily between procedures. Moreover, it should be easy to clean and maintain. Work surfaces must be disinfected regularly using various methods such as a UV light overnight or a cleaning chemical spray.

Funeral Home

Generally, funeral homes are able to offer more full-service options like ceremonies and viewings in more opulent surroundings. They also typically offer cremation services in addition to traditional burial arrangements.

A funeral home will come to your home or hospital/hospice center to pick up the body. Then the funeral director will make sure the deceased looks peaceful and presentable. They will wash the person, dress them and style their hair if necessary. They may then take them to their chapel of rest for family members to visit and say goodbye.

The distinction between a mortuary and a funeral home is largely based on how the business operates and the regulations in place. For example, in Canada, Eirene is licensed as a class 1 transfer service operator which means we can only provide direct cremation services so we are not considered to be a funeral home or a mortuary. But in other provinces, it is possible for businesses to be both a funeral home and a mortuary.

Embalming

If your loved one died in a traumatic way, embalming may be necessary to help them look their best for their viewing and funeral. Without embalming, natural post-mortem changes make a person unrecognizable in only a few days; this makes it difficult for family members and friends to find comfort in saying goodbye.

During embalming, a professional inserts a specialized solution into the body’s arterial system. This allows the embalming chemicals to reach every tissue and organ of the body. Next, the embalmer drains blood and injects an embalming fluid into the abdominal and thoracic cavities.

After this, the embalmer washes and disinfects the body. He then sets facial features, including the eyes and mouth using a photo or other reference. The body is then posed in a restful position. If the body was damaged in an accident, he can repair it with wax and plaster. He then uses moisturizers to rehydrate the skin and cosmetics to restore beauty.

Cremation

A mortuary that offers cremation will usually have a specific room, called a cremation chamber, where the body is placed before being exposed to intense heat. During this process, the bone fragments are melted into a brittle state known as ash. Any metal objects—such as nails, screws or dental fillings—are removed from the remains and either recycled or thrown away, depending on the policies of the particular crematory.

The brittle ashes are then ground into a fine powder-like consistency, which is then known as cremated remains or ashes. At this point, the ashes are ready to be stored or distributed as desired by the family.

In the past, Jewish families often objected to embalming and mummification, but today, many people choose cremation instead of burial as a respectful and final disposition option. A family’s cremated remains can be kept in urns, scattered or buried in a memorial garden or columbarium. The remains can also be incorporated into decorative keepsakes, jewelry or even tattoos.

Many people use the terms cemetery and graveyard interchangeably, but there is a difference. A graveyard is a burial ground that is affiliated with a church and usually only allows members of the same religion to be interred in it.

When population growth began to accelerate in the 19th century, church graveyards filled up and new independent sites for burying people came into existence. These were called cemeteries.

Origins

While the terms cemetery and graveyard are sometimes used interchangeably, they have different meanings in some places. A graveyard is a specific type of cemetery that is usually connected to a church.

Providing a burial place for a loved one is an ancient custom in most cultures. Families often create shrines at the graveside, decorating them with flowers and other items. Some people even leave wind chimes, toys, and statues of angels or cherubs. Although cemetery officials try to limit the number and types of objects placed on graves, some families still create large collections at their loved ones’ memorials.

Before a cemetery could be used for Christian burials it had to be sanctified. This process included public penance by the deceased, payment of reconciliation fees, and a ceremony that involved sprinkling holy water over the ground. This process took several months. Once the sanctification was complete, the churchyard became a graveyard. The term cemetery first appeared around the 7th century.

Meaning

The word graveyard describes a yard or other inclosure where people are buried. It can also refer to a burial ground in general.

During the Middle Ages, rich and powerful Christians were buried inside their churches in crypts, while less wealthy congregants were buried outside the church in its graveyard. As the population grew, it became apparent that church graveyards would not be able to sustain all of the burials. Therefore, new sites for burial, independent of a particular church, began to appear and were called cemeteries.

As a result, it is important to distinguish between the terms graveyard and cemetery. Although the two have a similar meaning, they differ in a few key aspects, including space, location, religion, and headstone requirements. The difference between the two is so slight that many people use the words interchangeably, but for those who want to be more precise when discussing their work, there is a difference. Learn the difference between graveyard and cemetery, so you can make informed decisions about your own funeral plans.

Etymology

A graveyard is land that is used to bury the dead. It is also known as a cemetery or a churchyard. Often, people use the terms cemetery and graveyard interchangeably. However, there are differences between the two, such as space requirements, location, religion, and headstone requirements.

A churchyard is a space that is attached to a church and can only be used for burials by members of that church or religion. A cemetery is a larger piece of ground that is not associated with any specific church and can be used for burials by anyone.

In the early 19th century, rapid population growth led to church graveyards filling up quickly. This caused people to seek out independent burial sites that could be used by everyone. This resulted in the creation of the modern cemetery. During this period, people buried the dead in individual crypts with a headstone that included their name and date of death.

Usage

When a Graveyard is played correctly, it can easily win a game for you. However, it’s also a very risky card to play, as a well-timed Poison can destroy it. Because of this, it’s best to play Graveyard with splash units, like Goblins or the Lumberjack, which can take out any defending Skeletons.

Another useful way to use a Graveyard is to pair it with a tank, like a Giant or a Valkyrie, and then cast it behind your opponent’s King’s Tower. This can make it difficult for them to activate their Tower, especially if they’re using Zap.

One common problem with re-using old graves is that it can be hard to locate living relatives who may object to the re-use. The best solution to this problem is for a cemetery to publicly announce that it intends to re-use older graves and then ask families to respond to the announcement. In some cases, families will accept the re-use of their loved ones’ graves.

Modern cemetery design must go beyond a place to lay a grave. It must connect with communities, celebrate family history and individuality.

It must work positively with the natural landscape and resurrect trees that were neglected for years. It should offer alternatives for burial to reduce the pressure on land resources.

Master Plan

Cemeteries provide individuals with a final resting place for burial of their loved ones either in a traditional grave, mausoleum crypt or niches. A cemetery may be owned by a municipality, religious organization or private and is financially supported either through on-going maintenance charges or trust of perpetual care funds.

Cemetery layout and design are critical to optimizing space. WC Fry Design can assist in evaluating the existing cemetery to identify opportunities for interment product expansions as well as ways to improve circulation and wayfinding on site.

Stephen Chiavaroli is a Cemetery GIS & Development / Strategic Planning Consultant with extensive experience in Cemetery mapping, design and analysis. He is a thought leader and an evangelist for Cemetery Mapping, paving the way to unlock cemetery grounds potential and drive revenue. Using the latest technology and software, he has assisted clients in developing their strategic vision for their cemetery and its operations. He has presented on Cemetery Mapping & Analysis at many renowned professional conferences.

Landscape and Architecture

Hines: Having an aesthetically pleasing cemetery is vital for long term marketability. Too often cemetery development obliterates an existing setting with monotonous expanses of graves that do not engage the mind. I am seeing a trend toward more unique cemetery designs that offer burial options in landscapes with differentiation and character.

Mourners frequently leave flowers (and other objects) on columbarium walls, and newer designs incorporate a metal clip or loop beside each plaque for holding a single flower or small posy. These clips help to eliminate the maintenance problem associated with squeezing a wire through a small opening in a wall.

WC Fry Design works with many different religious communities to master plan cemetery extensions and new sections. We enjoy working in these unique settings and believe that the best results are achieved when everyone is involved throughout the process. Our approach is to work with the management and board in a way that fits with their schedules, budget and availability for meetings.

Signage

Modern cemetery design looks beyond the simple placement of a gravestone. It offers options for families and individuals to celebrate life, heritage and their unique personality in a way that is integrated with a shared community. It requires a special kind of know-how.

The LA Group understands the complexities of this sensitive work. The firm has been recognized for its holistic approach to cemetery design, drawing on years of study and daily practice.

It helps clients find their way around a cemetery through directional signage and map designs that are both clear and legible from a distance. The LA Group also considers how a cemetery’s visitor demographic may affect the site plan. For example, converting asphalt roads to permeable materials can help reduce maintenance expenses. Choosing native grasses and organic fertilizers also cuts down on costly chemical runoff that damages headstones and monuments. And adding ponds encourages wildlife and provides opportunities for visitors to connect with nature.

Grading and Drainage

Mourners often want to leave flowers or small posies at the headstones of their loved ones. Newer designs of columbarium walls take this into account by incorporating a metal clip or loop beside each plaque to hold a flower stem or posy.

In general, the grading and drainage of a cemetery should match the natural terrain of its site. A well-designed grading plan is essential for the long term health of your cemetery grounds.

We at WC Fry Design work with many religious communities on their cemetery master plans, extensions and new sections. We understand the unique, religious setting of a cemetery and work to incorporate the site and burial traditions into the overall design. The goal is to create a cemetery that is as beautiful to visit as it is peaceful and serene. We strive to meet this with every project. This is especially true in creating memorial gardens and specialized burial areas for cremation.

A cemetery is a place to remember your loved ones. It can be a difficult place to visit, but it can also provide valuable information about your ancestors. Get two weeks of free access to 20 billion genealogy records and a discovery tool that finds new information about your family.

They bring families together

Cemeteries are more than just final resting places for the deceased. They bring families together and help them mourn and heal. They also provide an opportunity to learn more about family history.

The word cemetery is used to describe an area set apart for burials, and it differs from a graveyard in that it is not affiliated with any particular church and is usually larger in size. A cemetery can contain both believers and non-believers, and it may house both traditional burial sites and cremation niches.

It is difficult to re-use graves in natural cemeteries, as it would require contacting living family members and getting their permission. This is challenging, as many family members are no longer living in the same area and are often difficult to reach. As a result, cemetery management must find ways to prioritize native plants in order to conserve and protect the habitats of these areas. These efforts can be accomplished by implementing strategies such as reclaiming land, new technology, and more.

They are a place of reflection

When people visit cemeteries, they are often prompted to reflect on the lives of their loved ones who have passed away. The serene nature of the grounds and the stories etched on the tombstones offer visitors a space for remembrance, and the unique symbols found on each tombstone can add a deeper significance to this reflection.

Tombstone engravings can also offer insights into the social hierarchies and class distinctions of a particular era. The elaborate mausoleums and towering obelisks that are found in some cemeteries may indicate the wealth of a family, while simpler tombstones suggest a lower socioeconomic status.

Natural burials allow for early re-use of grave sites, and are generally more environmentally friendly than traditional funeral services. These burials also help to preserve wild landscapes.

They are a place of healing

Cemeteries provide a safe space to mourn and honor the departed. Whether through flowers, cleaning a monument, or simply sitting in silence, this healing process can help individuals acknowledge their grief and work toward emotional healing. The cemetery also offers a sense of community, bringing together people who have similar experiences and fostering empathy and understanding.

Visiting a cemetery can also remind us of our own mortality, which can lead to a greater appreciation of life and a desire to make the most of it. This can be especially beneficial for those with chronic conditions like heart disease or cancer, who may be more likely to experience loss of life. This can encourage them to focus on the things they value most and take steps to protect their health. This can be particularly helpful for those with a family history of illness.

They are a place of beauty

Providing a place for the dead was an early obligation of most cultures. The graveyard was a place where family members could be united with their ancestors and where they could remember their lives together. In some places, families even hired feng shui experts to select the best location for a burial site. This ensured that the ancestors would be happy with their resting place.

In the 19th century, people visited cemeteries just like they did parks. Many of them had ornate entrance gates and shady trees. They also served as a place to reflect and contemplate.

Despite their tragic origins, cemeteries are also beautiful. Skogskyrkogarden in Sweden, for example, is a gorgeous cemetery with small, diminutive graves. Its beauty is accentuated by white marble and cream limestone. The cemetery features small Gothic chapels, weeping angels, and beatific cherubs. It is a beautiful place to visit and is one of the most visited cemeteries in the world.

When a disaster or tragedy strikes, it leaves behind scars that need to be remembered. Public memorials are a way to do so.

The Memorial Park is situated outside the city in a natural environment soaked with history (the site was a wartime mass grave). Innovative construction brings out the natural qualities of building materials.

History

Before 1917, Memorial Park was a natural forest of native plants and animals. Then, that year it was officially leased for use as a World War I training base, named Camp Logan. County workers and volunteers speedily readied the area for campsites, including basic roads, water and sanitary infrastructure.

The Park’s native zoo became a regional attraction with cages that blended into the landscape. Local families donated animals and funds to sustain the zoo.

During the Great Depression, a number of men and women came to work at the Park as part of the Work Projects Administration established by President Franklin Roosevelt. Many of today’s roadways, buildings and picnic areas are the result of their efforts.

Design

The Memorial Park is a non-denominational sanctuary that offers family members of victims of the 9/11 collapse a private place to remember their loved ones. A pair of remembrance walls define and partially enclose the space, while a translucent fabric canopy provides shelter, masks outside noise and lets in light.

The design is intended to bring to a new level of meaning and respect for the lives of those killed in the disaster. It functions as a memorial and also as a cultural and educational center for the memory of those who died.

The memorial park is an example of a hybrid form that combines architecture with the landscape as figure-ground. This type of memorial has many advantages over traditional cemetery designs, as it allows for more flexibility in memorialization. In addition, the design can also provide visitors with a sense of nature and peace for meditation. This is important because the death of a loved one can be difficult to cope with, especially when it occurs in a public space.

Maintenance

Memorial parks provide a serene setting for quiet reflection and offer dignified sculptured bronze markers lying flat on landscaped plots. In contrast to the competing headstones of traditional cemeteries, memorial park markers are a subtle and tasteful way to memorialize a loved one.

This secluded open space offers a host of family hiking and camping opportunities surrounded by old-growth redwood forest. There are also miles of scenic trails and a secluded beach that are home to the marbled murrelet, a seabird listed as endangered.

The Park has been a destination for outdoor recreation for over a century. From the popular jogging trail that bears the name of Seymour Lieberman, which is nationally known, to the ballfields, courts and playgrounds, there are many ways to enjoy the natural splendor of the Park. Park staff, many of whom are veterans themselves, approach their work as a labor of love for their fallen brethren. They are a visible and caring presence to all who visit the Park.

Programming

Memorial Park offers a wide range of family friendly special events throughout the year for all ages. The park also provides an atmosphere of natural beauty, peace for quiet meditation, and a sense of dignity and honor to those who have lost loved ones.

In the 1930’s, the park was developed through a Work Projects Administration work camp. This federal workforce used older hand lumbering and construction techniques aimed at carefully developing the park with respect to its forest setting. Much of the existing infrastructure including restrooms, roadways and picnic sites were built during this period.

The NYC AIDS Memorial recognizes the ongoing sacrifice of New York City residents living with and dying from AIDS. It also honors the courage, selflessness, and perseverance of the men and women who worked tirelessly to save lives, combat discrimination, lobby for medical research, and alter the course of this epidemic. Located in Memorial Park, this dedicated space is an important part of the Village’s response to 9/11.

The Funeral Consumers Alliance is a nonprofit organization that promotes advance planning for funeral needs and the consumer’s right to choose a meaningful, dignified and affordable funeral.

Licensing requirements vary by state for funeral directors and embalmers. This site provides licensing information by state. It also adjudicates complaints against practitioners and establishments, and registers intern embalmers.

Licensing

The Board of Funeral Directors licenses funeral practitioners, funeral establishments and crematoriums, registers intern embalmers, investigates complaints against practitioners and establishments, and hears appeals concerning decisions of the Director. The Board is composed of the State Health Officer and three licensed funeral practitioners who are appointed by the Governor to staggered four-year terms.

The building and all equipment of any funeral service business must be kept in sanitary condition and open at all times for inspection by the Department or the Board. Upon application to the Board, a person or corporation engaged in the business of funeral services must submit a complete and accurate certificate of ownership; the name, address, title and qualifications of each owner, including the amount of owner compensation taken in the form of W-2 wages and dividends, rent or net profit distributions; and the name and address of all stockholders and other persons or corporations having a 10 per centum or greater proprietary, beneficial, equitable or credit interest in the firm.

The Board requires all funeral directors and funeral establishments to maintain a current and valid state and/or federally issued license or registration. The license must be posted in a conspicuous place within the funeral home or the crematorium. The Board also requires all owners and managers to be registered and licensed to practice in this state.

Registration

The Board licenses and investigates complaints against 13 licensing categories, including funeral establishments, funeral directors, embalmers, and apprentice embalmers. In addition, the Board regulates approximately 200 licensed private cemeteries. The Board also regulates the profession’s professional and business practices, such as advertising, pricing, and promotions.

All registrants are required to keep complete embalming reports for all cases handled. They must promptly inform the Board of any change in name, ownership or location of a Licensed Funeral Establishment for which they are registered. Similarly, a Type 3, Type 6 or Apprentice Embalmer who changes employment must notify the Board of the new Licensed Funeral Establishment in which they are employed.

Registrants are not permitted to solicit for or receive anything of value in exchange for recommending, referring or employing any business or service related to the disposition of human remains. In addition, they must not disclose confidential or private information or comment on the condition of any dead body entrusted to them.

The names and registration types of registrants must be prominently displayed on all stationery, contracts and other funeral related documents. Registrants must also have their names displayed on all funeral vehicles used in the course of their work. Additionally, a Type 3 or Type 6 registering as an Apprentice Embalmer may not conduct pre-need arrangements unless they have written authorization from their employing Type 3. In such cases, the employing Type 3 must provide the Board with a copy of this written authorization.

Education

If you are planning a career in funeral service, you can prepare by taking courses that will help you gain an understanding of the grieving process and the importance of end-of-life care. You may also wish to consider completing an internship or apprenticeship, if permitted in your state. This can help you gauge whether this is the right career choice for you.

Post-secondary programs in mortuary science are available through colleges and universities, which are accredited by the American Board of Funeral Service Education. The program you choose will likely include a mix of humanities and science courses. For example, psychology classes will focus on the grieving process while biology or chemistry courses might examine the postmortem decomposition and embalming processes.

SUNY Canton offers an associate degree in funeral services administration with the option of attending on-campus or online. Both options require students to take 69 credits of prescribed courses with the exception of two clinical/lab courses. These include Restorative Art and Funeral Directing Practicum Lab, which are required to be taken on campus in New York City. Students should expect to spend several days on campus completing the clinical/lab course requirements each semester. Students must complete these courses in order to graduate from the program.