Cemetery is a location where individuals are laid to rest. It is distinguished from graveyards, which are often found adjacent to places of worship.
A cemetery manages the allocation and digging of burial plots, as well as the construction and maintenance of headstones. In some cases, it also manages permanent care funds and permanent maintenance funds.
Origin
Cemeteries are park-like settings reserved for the burial of dead people or their cremains. They are sometimes visited by family and friends to remember the deceased. They can be private or public and may include a crematorium. The term comes from the Greek word koimeterion, which means “sleeping place.”
Until the 18th century, graveyards were associated with churches. However, they quickly became crowded, unsanitary, and dangerous. To address this problem, garden cemeteries were created. These were owned by municipals or joint-stock companies and were independent of church-controlled graveyards.
The rise of Romanticism in the 19th century changed the way that people thought about cemetery design. Architects began to emphasize beauty, and they took inspiration from the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris. Today, there are a number of different cemetery styles, which reflect the diversity of cultural practices surrounding death.
Functions
Cemeteries play a critical role in the healing process for individuals and communities. They provide a sanctuary for reflection and commemoration, and they foster meaningful customs that connect people across time and place. They also serve as a repository for memories and stories of the departed.
From the carefully chosen symbols engraved on tombstones to annual remembrance rituals, burial grounds are remarkable reflections of a community’s traditions. In addition, they offer insight into the evolution of societal values over time. Despite their valuable functions, cemetery preservation is challenging. Vandalism, neglect, and environmental elements are common threats to these sites. However, the benefits of caring for cemeteries outweigh these challenges. They allow families to find comfort, solidarity, and the promise of resilience in their journey through grief.
Locations
A cemetery is a dedicated area of land, containing precise plot locations with defined boundaries. It also usually has a memorial chapel for services before burial or the interment of ashes. The grounds may be controlled by a cemetery authority or religious orders.
Many cemeteries were born as church graveyards began to fill, and they had no space for new burials. This led to the creation of non-church-associated cemeteries, which are often much larger and more expansive.
Some families with large estates will bury their loved ones on their property, creating private cemeteries. These sites are often marked with a tombstone or other monument and sometimes include crypts and mausoleums. They are typically restricted to family members who are in need of burial space.
Styles
Cemeteries come in many different styles, and each offers a distinct aesthetic. These options range from traditional headstone burial grounds to green alternatives that allow the body to return to the earth more naturally. Each style of cemetery has its own rules and regulations. The tapestry of cemetery choices ensures that individuals can find a resting place that matches their own or their family’s beliefs and values.
A monument cemetery is characterized by upright gravestones and other monumental memorials. This style was developed in the Victorian era as urban churchyard cemeteries filled up and due to changing views on health and disease. These new cemetery styles were often located outside of the city and resembled parks or gardens. They also emphasized lawn level memorials that were easier to maintain and care for.
Regulations
The purchasing of a lot or grave does not entitle the purchaser to a perpetual right of burial. It is a revocable license, subject to the charter and rules of the cemetery association or corporation company. Those purchasing such rights should carefully review the contract and read the by-laws.
A person’s right to occupy a lot is subject to the reasonable exercise of police power, and the discontinuance of the use of such land may be required by a state legislature or a municipality. Private contractors and others performing work within the Cemetery are required to abide by the rules and regulations of the Cemetery, and must furnish proof of liability insurance. They must also stop work while a funeral is conducted nearby. This is done to protect the grieving family members and other mourners from being disturbed by noisy work.