Although the terms graveyard and cemetery are sometimes used interchangeably, there are some differences. For instance, a graveyard is typically found on the grounds of a church, while a cemetery is a separate burial ground that is not affiliated with any particular church.
In many cases, old graves are considered for re-use because their owners have died or are known to be dead. However, locating living descendants to ask permission for re-use can be difficult.
What is a graveyard?
While the terms cemetery and graveyard are often used interchangeably, they were originally distinct locations where the dead are laid to rest. Graveyards are traditionally run by a church and are located on the church’s property or campus, while cemeteries can be affiliated with any faith or not at all. Due to rapid population growth in the early 19th century, churches began running out of space to bury their dead, which led to the development of non-church-associated cemeteries.
The word cemetery is derived from the Greek words koimeterion (“dormitory”) and metrion (“place of rest”). While the term was originally used to describe a place where people sleep physically, it came to also refer to a spiritual resting place. Historically, rich congregants were interred in crypts beneath the floor of their church, while less wealthy members of the community were buried outside in the graveyard. The term was later extended to include all types of burial grounds, not just those that are connected to a specific church.
Why do people bury their dead in cemeteries?
Although the words graveyard and cemetery seem interchangeable to most people, there is a distinct difference between the two. Graveyard is the term used to describe a burial ground near a church, while cemetery refers to any burial ground that isn’t connected to a specific church.
Many cultures bury their dead in cemeteries, and this is usually done to keep the souls of the deceased close to loved ones. In addition, cemeteries provide a place for people to pay their respects and remember their departed loved ones.
Another reason why people bury their dead in cemeteries is to protect them from the elements. This is especially important in hot or cold climates where the bodies may decompose more quickly. Finally, graveyards also serve as a record for future generations. Many graves are marked with a headstone, which can be helpful for family historians and genealogists. In addition, some graveyards are grouped together to form a city of the dead called a necropolis.
How do I find a grave in a cemetery?
If you know in which cemetery your loved one is buried, it’s usually easy to find their grave by looking up their name and date of death on sites like Find A Grave. Some cemeteries may also have their own online indexes of their burial records.
Other resources to look into include BillionGraves and Ever Loved. These platforms have a large number of headstone photos and GPS coordinates, making it easier to locate a specific grave.
While both sites rely on volunteer contributions, they differ in how that information is sourced and how much control they have over the accuracy of their data. Another good resource is a cemetery’s own website, which may have a map of their grounds that makes it easy to locate a grave by block, lot and space numbers. Some cemeteries even have dedicated maps specifically for family plots.
Where can I find a grave in a cemetery?
Often, a cemetery will have a map available online or at their visitor’s center. This will make finding a specific grave site much easier. However, even this method can be tricky because every cemetery has its own way of laying out plots and sections.
For example, some use Section-Row-Grave coordinates while others use Block-Lot-Space numbers or some other system. Regardless, the most important thing is that you know where to look and what to ask for. It is also a good idea to bring a camera and take pictures of headstones, record their inscriptions, and take note of the location on the cemetery map or on the online map. This will help you find the right gravesite later, when you are ready to pay your respects in person. Also, remember to wear comfortable shoes for walking through the cemetery. This will help avoid blisters and other foot problems.