Cemeteries play an important part in preserving a community’s history. They also offer a final resting place for loved ones who have passed away.
Visitors should be aware of their surroundings and respect the graves of others by keeping noise levels low. Also, it is best to keep dogs on leashes in cemeteries.
Location
Cemeteries are often located on the outskirts of towns and cities. This is because they run out of space within the city limits, or there are no available land to expand into. This is also because most people want to be buried near family members.
The location of a cemetery is important for locating grave sites. This can be done by using GPR to survey the area and then constructing a map of the cemetery using software programs. The map can be used to mark the locations of all the graves and other structures within the cemetery.
If you are searching for a specific grave, it is best to visit the cemetery and ask the staff for help. They may be able to give you a map that will help you locate the grave quickly. It is also a good idea to bring a map to help you keep track of where you are looking.
Function
The function of a cemetery is to provide dignified burial for individuals, and a comforting place where mourners can come to remember and pay tribute to the deceased. Modern cemeteries offer both traditional full-body burials as well as entombment and inurnment options for cremated remains.
Traditionally in Europe, burial was conducted within churchyards on consecrated ground. As the population grew, churchyards became overcrowded, and to make room for new interments, sextons would often disinter bones and partially decayed remains and store them in ossuaries.
The term cemetery came into use when non-church affiliated burial grounds were established, which offered more options for headstones and memorialization. Some cemeteries are run by local governments, while others are privately owned and operated. It is common to use the words graveyard and cemetery interchangeably, though the former generally implies that the plot is attached to a church, whereas the latter does not. This is also true for other types of burial sites such as natural or green burial grounds.
Design
Cemetery design is a process that involves the use of architecture, landscape and planning. It requires a deep understanding of how the facility will function as well as the religious and cultural traditions. The layout of the cemetery must be carefully planned to ensure that people can easily find their way around. The cemetery should also have proper grading to avoid flooding.
The entrance should be significant, using landscape or architectural elements to separate you from where you came and welcome you into a space of memorialization. It should also align with the design vernacular of your cemetery, regional influences and sensitivity to natural site features.
The sizing of graves should consider the future potential burial capacity. This includes providing enough space for the addition of caskets and urns in the future. In the case of cremation, a urn that allows for a tree to be planted over it should be considered. This will provide a new source of life for the family and the environment.
Maintenance
A cemetery must balance aesthetics with its primary function, as a place of solace and remembrance. Keep in mind that design choices may impact the cemetery’s long-term landscape health. For example, trees must be assessed for their current health and whether they could cause damage to tombstones or surrounding gravesites in the future.
Grass and other planted areas should be mowed, mulched, sprayed to suppress weed growth and repaired as needed, according to work scheduling. Inspect grave sites for damage and document the condition of each, using field survey sheets.
Clean all monuments, headstones and markers as needed, using cleaning supplies that don’t harm the materials. High-pressure water spray and muriatic acid will accelerate deterioration of stone and masonry, and wire-bristled brushes can scratch finished surfaces of markers. Also, be sure to check for inscriptions that have become unreadable over time.