Author: futurecemetery

The Park is a place for meditation, remembrance, reflection and hope. It is also a space for families to reconnect with nature and each other.

Almost a century ago, the land that is now Memorial Park was a teeming Army base called Camp Logan. Now it’s Houston’s green heart.

History

Before 1917 the land that is Memorial Park was a homestead and agricultural area. Then the Selective Service Act was passed and millions of young men enlisted in the war effort. The soldiers trained at Camp Logan, a huge National Guard training site covering more than 7600 acres along Buffalo Bayou.

After the war, the Park was developed to provide recreational and educational opportunities for Houstonians. Today, the park has many features including a lake, picnic shelters, the Bear Hollow Wildlife Trail, the nationally renowned Seymour Lieberman Exer-trail and more. It also supplies a natural habitat for native plant and animal species. Memorial Park is a place that captures the essence of remembrance and reverence. It is a serene oasis in the middle of the city that inspires and educates. Visit us to discover this historic park and its story.

Tribute in Light

Originally unveiled six months after 9/11 in March 2002, the Tribute in Light is a stunning light display that takes place every year from dusk to dawn on September 11. The public art installation features two beams of sky blue lights that resemble the Twin Towers and can be seen up to four miles away on a clear night.

Each year, the event expands as the city encourages building owners to participate by lighting their facades and rooftops in a shade called “memorial blue,” which is reminiscent of the sky that was reportedly cloudless on the morning of September 11, 2001. 88 7,000-watt xenon light bulbs are positioned in two squares that mirror the shape of the Twin Towers and can be seen from all over the city.

The light display is most prominent from Manhattan, but you can also see it from Washington Square and Union Square parks in Manhattan, Gantry Plaza State Park in Queens, Brooklyn Bridge Park and the Staten Island Ferry Terminal. The memorial is also visible from parts of New Jersey, and on a clear night can be seen as far north as Rockland County and as south as Trenton, according to the museum.

Survivor Tree

The Survivor Tree is an emblem of hope and resilience for many who visit the memorial park. Since 2013, the Memorial has distributed seedlings from this Callery pear to communities that have endured tragedy in recent years.

During our 9/11 Ground Zero Walking Tour, visitors often stop to gaze up at the Survivor Tree’s gnarled roots and smooth new limbs. Its scars and twisted trunk paired with its vitality reminds us that despite the devastation of 9/11, there is hope.

After the 2001 attacks, this tree was pulled from the rubble of the World Trade Center and brought to Arthur Ross Nursery in the Bronx to be re-rooted and nurtured. Now, each year, the Survivor Tree’s seeds are harvested and distributed to three communities that have experienced tragedy. Thousands of Survivor Tree clones now grow in yards, parks, schools and even the White House lawn. It’s also possible to plant your own. To learn how, visit this link.

Bald Eagle Statue

A bronze statue of the national bird graces this veterans memorial. This eagle is a majestic symbol of power, liberty and strength. It is cast in quality designer resin and hand painted with amazing detail. With a wingspan of over 6 feet and fierce talons, this eagle will add a touch of patriotism to your garden or home.

Inside each victory pavilion is a sculptural canopy called a baldacchino that features four eagles holding laurel victory wreaths, an ancient Greek symbol of victory dating back to the time of Alexander the Great. The eagles symbolize American victory in the Atlantic and Pacific theaters of World War II.

Below each eagle are inscribed the names of 36 states, minus Alaska and Hawaii, who entered the Union at the end of World War II. The top of the memorial is capped by a cornice decorated with the national flags and palmetto leaves. It is also inscribed with the words “Kilroy was here”, a cryptic phrase that became a universal sign that soldiers had passed through an area.

The Board regulates the practice of embalming, funeral directing and the operation of funeral establishments. The Board also investigates complaints and imposes disciplinary sanctions.

The Human Resources Administration offers financial assistance to reimburse for funeral expenses for low-income New York City residents. Find out more here.

Professionalism

Licensed funeral directors, embalmers and apprentice embalmers and funeral establishments are regulated by state law. Funeral service workers must take continuing education courses to stay current with the latest changes in the funeral profession. This is to ensure that they offer the best possible service to families during one of their most difficult times.

In New York, it is against the law for anyone to make funeral arrangements or prepare a body without a license. It is also illegal to charge interest on an outstanding balance after a loved one’s death, unless the charge was disclosed when arrangements were first made.

If the deceased was a tissue or organ donor, it’s important to honor those wishes. This can be done by checking the registry, signing a donor space on the back of a driver’s license, including the wish in a will, and informing family members. It is also a good idea to get a copy of the death certificate for insurance purposes, banks, probate court and for bringing any lawsuits.

Confidentiality

Your business must comply with the Funeral Rule if it sells both funeral goods and funeral services to the public. The Rule defines “funeral goods” as caskets and outer burial containers, and “funeral services” as your basic professional fees and other charges you make for items or services that you purchase from a third party on behalf of consumers — for example, transportation costs, newspapers, clergy honoraria, flowers, musicians or singers, and obituary notices.

Some funeral providers enter into agreements with religious groups, burial societies or memorial societies to provide arrangements at special prices for group members. Even so, you must provide price lists to anyone who inquires in person about your funeral goods and services, including representatives of these groups.

You must offer the General Price List (GPL) to anyone who asks about it, whether in person or by telephone or mail. You must also offer an itemized Statement of Funeral Goods and Services Selected to anyone who chooses a package.

Reliability

Whether you’re dealing with a funeral director, embalmer, or cemetery salesperson, you want to be sure they will honor your wishes. If they don’t, you can file a complaint with the state’s licensing and regulatory body.

Keeping your loved ones’ wishes in mind is especially important if they chose to be organ or tissue donors. This means signing the donor space on their driver’s license, including their intentions in their wills and informing family members.

The California Cemetery & Funeral Bureau regulates and investigates complaints against funeral establishments, funeral directors, embalmers, apprentice embalmers, and cemetery salespersons as well as the nearly 200 licensed cemeteries in the state of California. For more information, visit their website. The Funeral Consumers Alliance has promoted advance planning for funeral needs and the consumer’s right to choose a meaningful, dignified, affordable funeral since 1963. The LAFS is an independent, non-profit, education organization devoted to these goals. This website is a resource for consumers, students, educators, and industry professionals.

Compassion

Compassion is a social feeling of concern for the welfare and happiness of others and a genuine desire to help alleviate their suffering. It is not the same as pity, empathy or love, and it involves active engagement with suffering, rather than simply wishing or hoping that someone will experience less pain.

To become more compassionate, one must first understand the human experience. The best way to do this is by putting yourself in other people’s shoes and imagining what they are going through. You must also avoid judgment and instead focus on the person’s humanity and dignity.

True compassion interrupts your routine, your schedule, and sometimes even your comfort zone. It may mean sacrificing something more valuable with your time (in the business world, this is called opportunity cost) for the sake of helping a friend in need. It could mean offering to help a stranger on the side of the road, or it could be as simple as lending an ear to someone who needs to talk.

A mortuary is a room or area where dead bodies are kept. It can be found in hospitals or funeral homes. Its focus is on preparing the body for burial or cremation.

A hospital mortuary also conducts autopsies. This is to confirm that the deceased person is dead.

The body is then buried in a grave or entombed in a mausoleum. Some religions require the family to witness the incineration of the remains.

Waiting mortuary

The waiting mortuary was a large, stately structure that housed dead people until they could be buried or cremated. These morgues were popular in Germany and some other European countries, but never caught on in the United States or England. While supporters hailed the buildings as philanthropic efforts, they were often smelly and unsanitary places.

Eventually, the demand for these facilities fell and they were replaced by more modern ones. However, many funeral homes today have refrigerated rooms that can serve as a temporary morgue in the event of an emergency. These spaces may also be used to honor the religious customs of families that insist on watching the body being inserted into a retort for cremation. This is especially important in cases where the deceased is a member of a religion that requires this. In such cases, the funeral home will typically have a video monitor. They may also have a viewing window for relatives.

Hospital morgue

Most adults have seen a depiction of a morgue in a movie or TV show. Despite the grisly images, most mortuaries serve a practical purpose – they are the temporary storage facilities for deceased individuals until their identity can be determined and an autopsy performed. The bodies are kept in refrigerated drawer-like compartments and most morgues are located within hospitals or medical centers, though they can also be found in retirement homes and hospice care facilities.

In addition to storing corpses, hospital mortuaries can perform various services such as embalming and respectful burial or cremation. They also store any belongings of the deceased and issue a receipt when they are collected.

Most morgues have a large staff of medical professionals who are trained to assist the medical examiner or mortician. These people often work on 24-hour rotating shifts, including weekends and holidays. They may transport the deceased from a hospital to the morgue and back again, set up instruments for the pathologist, pick tissue specimens, and ensure all cadavers are tagged. They may also transport the body from the hospital to a funeral home or other locations as necessary.

Funeral home

A funeral home is a place where families meet to discuss their loved one’s death and arrange for a service. It also provides a quiet area called a chapel for mourners to pay their respects. Some funeral homes offer cremation services as well. They also provide caskets, vaults, urns, and memorial chests as well as stationery products like guest books and memorial folders. They may also offer services to assist grieving families, such as grief counselors and a grief therapy dog.

A funeral director is a licensed professional who specializes in the funeral ceremony and the arrangement of the dead. He or she has been trained to understand and respond to the unique needs of each family. They are trained to prepare the body for viewing, embalming, sanitary washing, dressing and cosmetology. They can even help to write and publish a death notice or obituary in the local newspaper. They can also provide transportation for the deceased and his or her loved ones.

Crematorium

A crematorium is a building where the cremation process takes place. It may be attached to a cemetery or it may stand on its own as an independent facility. Typically, a crematorium will have a chapel where mourners can gather for a service. This service can be a simple one or a full memorial.

During the cremation process, the coffin is placed in a chamber called a retort and exposed to intense heat. The greater portion of the body is vaporized and the rest becomes calcified. After the cremation, the bones are mechanically processed into a fine dust and stored in a container or urn.

A cremation usually takes about three hours, including a cooling period. The ashes are then returned to the family in basic containers, or they can choose to purchase their own urns for more personalised storage. Crematoriums have strict codes of practice and are governed by local authorities. Most have their codes of ethics on display in their facilities.

Although the terms graveyard and cemetery are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. A graveyard is a burial ground that is affiliated with a church. It is usually located on church grounds.

As the population increased, church-affiliated graveyards became full. The resulting overcrowded conditions caused outbreaks of infectious diseases.

They are a place of worship

Throughout history, a cemetery has been a place where people go to worship their ancestors. It is also a place to remember the deceased and to honor them in a variety of ways. Various cultural beliefs and social attitudes have shaped the nature of cemeteries, including geographical and aesthetic considerations.

Many religions have their own unique burial traditions. For example, Romans and Jews avoided burying their dead in graveyards, instead opting for catacombs. In some cultures, rich and influential individuals were buried in individual crypts inside their place of worship.

Mourners used to choose the location of their family tomb with great care. They also competed for the beauty and artistic value of their headstones, with richer families choosing more elaborate designs and carvings. In some countries, the practice of placing burning candles on a grave to commemorate the dead is very common. This is particularly true in Catholic nations such as Poland. Many war graves are marked with a small timber remembrance cross with red poppy flowers attached.

They are a place of rest

In popular culture, cemeteries are often portrayed as dark and mysterious places of rest. Zombies rise from their graves, witches cast their spells, and ghostly spirits are believed to haunt the grounds. However, for many people, a visit to a cemetery is a time of reflection and peace.

The terms cemetery and graveyard are frequently used interchangeably, but they aren’t the same thing. The two sites differ in space, location, religion and headstone requirements.

During the Middle Ages, wealthy or influential Christians were interred inside the church in a crypt beneath the floor, while less well-off congregants were buried outside in a portion of the churchyard called the graveyard.

During the early 19th century, as population growth increased, church graveyards filled up and independent burial sites called cemeteries emerged. Unlike church-affiliated graveyards, cemeteries don’t have religious affiliations and allow families to be buried with their own beliefs. Families also have more freedom to design their headstones, including the color and inscription.

They are a place of remembrance

From about the 7th century, burial was firmly in the hands of churches and took place on the lands near a church, called the graveyard. As the population of Europe grew and these graveyards reached capacity, it became obvious that new, independent places to bury people were needed. These were known as cemeteries.

A cemetery is different from a graveyard in several ways, including size and location. The word cemetery comes from the Latin “coemeterium” which is derived from the Greek “koimeterion” meaning bedchamber. In the past, the wealthy or those of high social status would be buried in individual crypts inside their church or other place of worship.

The term “graveyard” tends to evoke images of old churchyards with older tombstones placed around the grounds in a somewhat disorderly fashion. By contrast, a cemetery is often much larger and more organized. It is also typically more modern in its appearance and is more likely to contain large family plots.

They are a place of healing

Visiting graveyards can be a serene place of healing for those who have lost loved ones. It can also be a way to show love and respect for those who have passed away. In the hushed whispers of the wind and the quiet rustle of leaves, individuals can reflect on their loss and begin their journey toward healing.

As the population grew, church graveyards began to fill up. As a result, independent sites called cemeteries became more common as final resting places. They are usually not affiliated with a specific church and they are often located away from city centers to allow for more space.

Although some people use the terms graveyard’ and cemetery’ interchangeably, they are not the same thing. A graveyard is a location where bodies are buried, while a cemetery is a collection of graves or niches, like a columbarium wall. The difference between the two is that a graveyard is a piece of land that’s part of a church, while a cemetery is not.

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A graveyard is a space where people are buried. It is a small space that is often attached to a church. The word cemetery comes from Latin coemeterium, which is derived from Greek koimeterion.

When you visit your forebears’ gravesite, take a good look around. Make note of what you see.

Symbolism

A stroll through a graveyard can be very spiritual. Many of the symbols that decorate headstones, tombs and graves have significant meaning.

Drapery is a common motif that symbolises the veil between the living and the dead. It is often used in conjunction with other motifs such as urns, Death’s heads and flowers. A weeping willow tree is a popular symbol that conveys the sorrow of a life cut short.

During the early 1800s, Americans began to move away from Calvinistic notions of predestination and damnation in favor of more hopeful ideas such as healing and resurrection. This was reflected in the changing design of gravestones that included cherubs, angels, effigies of souls and flowers.

The dove is a Christian symbol of peace and the hope of ‘eternal life’ in ‘heaven’. It is often seen on the graves of children. Similarly, lambs are a symbol of innocence and the resurrection. A circle is a symbol of eternity and may be drawn in a variety of ways.

History

Despite the fact that many people use the terms graveyard and cemetery interchangeably, they are not actually the same thing. A graveyard is a specific area of ground used for burial and it is usually attached to a church and only available to members of that religion.

Graveyards were originally open spaces where people from all walks of life could be buried together. The only requirement was that they were Christian. Those who were wealthy or of a high social status were buried in individual crypts inside or under the relevant place of worship and their graves were marked with a headstone that included writing, symbols and sometimes a coat of arms.

As the population increased and space became a concern it was decided to create new places for burying which were independent of churchyards, these were known as cemeteries. As a result, the graveyard went full circle from being an enjoyable community space with ordered burials to becoming crowded and unpleasant spaces reserved solely for the dead.

Locations

While the terms graveyard and cemetery are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between the two. Graveyards are usually attached to a church, while cemeteries do not have any religious affiliation and can be located far from the church.

The distinction between the two has to do with space. When church graveyards became full, new burial grounds were created outside the city and called “cemeteries.” The word comes from the Greek koimeterion, which means dormitory or resting place.

These sites were created to accommodate mass burials, unlike the old practice of keeping the bodies at home or close to their work place. To avoid erosion and mudslides, the cemetery must have a relatively level topography with a predominant slope. This allows for positive drainage, pedestrian access and headstone placement. The cemetery must also have a single Burial Section with clearly identified limits indicated by Section Markers. The final grading must be designed to achieve one predominant slope across the site.

Maintenance

Most people assume that a graveyard is a place only full of dead people, but it’s actually very much alive. It’s a place where many of us go to walk our dogs, take our kids for a stroll, or just visit our loved ones’ graves and memorials.

Maintaining a grave site isn’t as hard as it may seem. Most grave sites require only a few times a year for cleaning and weeding, and this shouldn’t take more than an hour or so.

During this process, it’s important to use soapy water and never wire brushes or harsh cleaners. These can cause wear and damage to a headstone, and they can also progress corrosion.

Those who manage the maintenance of a cemetery can help with documentation of each burial plot by using field survey sheets, which will help them identify and record accurate inscriptions. They should also prioritize fixing problems like unstable or unbalanced markers, which can be a safety hazard for workers and visitors.

A cemetery is a very important place in any community and needs to be designed with great care. A good cemetery designer will look at the property with a fresh set of eyes and see what is possible for the site.

Cemeteries can be a beautiful, peaceful place to visit or walk through. They can also be used for recreation and provide a variety of ecosystem services.

Aesthetics

Cemetery art offers a glimpse into the artistic styles of a particular time. From the intricate etchings of the Victorian era to the simpler designs of modern tombstones, each engraving tells a unique story. This artistic expression also showcases the skills and creativity of the artisans who crafted it.

Similarly, mausoleums and other burial structures offer a view into the architectural style of a specific period. In addition, they often reflect the spiritual beliefs and traditions of a community. This type of architecture can add beauty and meaning to a cemetery.

A well-designed cemetery layout incorporates flowing landscapes to enhance aesthetics and provide comfort to visitors. It should avoid using oversized shrubs, and instead choose plants with natural colors that blend with the background. It is also important to consider how the landscaping will affect mowing lines and maintenance. This is important for maintaining a clean, healthy cemetery. It should also include water features like ponds and fountains for aesthetics and to create a peaceful environment.

Environmentally Friendly

Cemeteries can serve as a natural habitat for a variety of plant species and provide important green space in urban areas. Cemeteries can also act as a place for community gatherings and memorialization of the deceased. However, it’s important to balance these goals with the need for burials and cremation spaces.

A cemetery must be a place of comfort for the living, but also a resting place for the dead. It’s crucial to design a cemetery that has a clear identity and provides a positive experience for visitors.

Modern cemetery design needs to be environmentally friendly. With fewer available burial sites, it’s important to think outside of the box and look for creative ways to solve this problem. Innovative strategies such as tree burial, skyscraper cemetery, eco burial and high technology columbarium can be used to make this happen. These innovative designs will help to change the future of funeral services and make them more sustainable.

Accessibility

The cemetery architecture is an important part of the architectural field. It shows the cultural significance and provides a sense of serenity to the visitors. The design of the cemetery must balance practicality and artistic expressions. It also needs to take into account the changing trends in society.

Modern funerals are increasingly embracing cremation. This trend has created a need for space-efficient and affordable graves. These spaces-saving designs are also environmentally friendly. They can be used as a place of worship and meditation, or as a venue for memorial services.

This soaring high-tech skyscraper cemetery, designed by Kiyoshi Takeyama, is located in Shinjuku’s most valuable land. The design is simple, convenient and cost-effective and includes a temple that combines traditional perspectives with new technology capabilities. It can accommodate a variety of religious beliefs and is a symbol of Japan’s evolving relationship with death and technology. The soaring structure is also energy-efficient and sustainable. Its yearly maintenance fee is less than that of traditional graves.

Master Plan

A cemetery is more than just a resting place for the dead, it is a vibrant celebration of family, history and individuality – within a shared community. Modern Cemetery Design is complex and requires a unique set of skills to create a meaningful experience for families and the community at large.

When a cemetery is looking to renovate or expand, there are many considerations that need to be taken into account. The LA Group can provide a full assessment of the facility to determine what improvements or expansions would best fit the needs of the community.

Cemeteries can also save on maintenance costs by incorporating sustainable designs that minimize future expenses. For example, a permeable pavement instead of asphalt will reduce costly repairs, and the use of organic fertilizers will reduce chemical runoff that can damage gravestones and cause groundwater pollution. These and other simple changes can make a huge difference for a cemetery’s budget.

A cemetery is a place where you can connect with your ancestors. You can also learn about the history of your town. You can even join a guided tour. This will give you the opportunity to explore your local cemetery in detail.

When visiting a cemetery, it is important to be respectful. Keep in mind that this is a quiet, peaceful place. It is also a good idea to be mindful of your voice.

Modern day cemeteries

If you asked most Americans to eat a picnic or go for a run in a cemetery, they would be puzzled and uncomfortable. Yet, the potential for cemeteries to become vibrant parts of the public realm is enormous. With a few changes, they can become places where people visit, play, and gather every day.

The challenge is not just to provide a safe and accessible environment, but also to maintain it in perpetuity. Many older cemeteries have inefficient layouts and a hodgepodge of maintenance practices. For example, old cemetery lawns are often too crowded for large mowers and string trimmers, which can damage headstones and monuments.

In addition, many of the cemetery management duties are traditionally handled by the surviving family or friends. This has contributed to a growing sense of dissatisfaction with cemetery design. Fortunately, some modern cemetery managers are embracing a new approach to management and reimagining their spaces. From art-centric activations to genealogy information and tours of graveyard sculptures, these efforts help to foster community engagement and stewardship.

Traditional cemeteries

A traditional cemetery is a park-like setting reserved for the burial of dead persons and their cremains. These sites are often visited by friends and family members of the deceased, who may leave flowers or other objects at the grave site. Although some cemetery authorities try to limit the quantity and nature of the items placed at a grave, mourning families often ignore these restrictions.

The burial of the dead is a tradition in many cultures. In the past, people were buried in caves, on mountaintops, in lakes or oceans, and even in trees. The modern practice of burying the dead in cemeteries is much more efficient than the earlier methods and is safer for the environment.

The location of a cemetery depends on health and sanitation considerations, cultural practices, religious beliefs and geographical constraints. Some religions consecrate special ground for burial grounds, while others bury their dead in churchyards. Some people build private family cemeteries.

History of cemeteries

In the past, families would seek out small plots of land to establish family cemeteries. A typical graveyard would feature one large monument, often a marble obelisk, with the surname or last name of the family on it and other relatives’ names on smaller stones around it. This allowed people of different faiths to be buried together in the same location.

In ancient times, burial in a cemetery was seen as a great honor. Dutiful Asian sons sent their parents’ bodies back to Japan and China at sometimes enormous expense. People were also buried in special cemeteries for the poor, criminals, or witches.

Today, some people choose to be buried in a natural cemetery. This allows their remains to return to nature more quickly than traditional burials, and it allows for re-use of the cemetery site. However, these cemeteries usually don’t have headstones or markers for individual graves. Instead, GPS recordings or the placing of a tree, bush, or rock mark the exact spot of a deceased person’s grave.

Visiting a cemetery

A cemetery is a solemn and reflective place. Many people visit to pay their respects to loved ones who have passed, and to connect with history and tradition. When visiting a cemetery, it is important to follow certain rules of etiquette. This can help ensure that your visit is a pleasant one for you and others.

It is also a good idea to not litter in a cemetery. This makes more work for the caretakers and is disrespectful to the people who visit there to grieve. Leaving trash at a gravesite can also attract critters and other pests, which is not good for the headstones.

It is also a good idea not to talk loudly in a cemetery. Most people who visit are in a state of grief and may not want to be disturbed by noises. If you do need to interact with other visitors, try to keep it quiet and to only say hello or goodbye.

Memorial Park combines the elements of nature, history and commemoration. It is a place for community interaction, exercise and wildlife observation.

A non-denominational sanctuary offers family members a quiet space to remember and grieve for lost loved ones. A birch panel wall mutes outside noise and creates a serene interior.

The History of Memorial Park

Before 1917, the area now known as Memorial Park was a sprawling forest that served as a home for wildlife and Native Americans. Then, the federal government leased it to create Camp Logan, where World War I soldiers were trained for combat.

County workers speedily readied campsites with basic roads and sanitary infrastructure, and by Independence Day 1924 the park was open to the public. Fifty-two trees in an area called Legion Flat were named for local county residents who had died in service of the United States, and the Boy Scouts placed bronze plaques at each tree.

Today, the cemetery is a recreational outdoor gem with miles of multi-use trails, an arboretum, stunning gardens (one designed by a famed Chicago landscape architect), peaceful lagoons, and a majestic mausoleum. Its dignified engraved markers lie flat on beautifully-landscaped plots that maintain an environment less about mourning and more about life celebration. This inviting setting sets families at ease and inspires new traditions of gathering that honor their loved ones’ lives.

The Memorial Walls

The centerpiece of the memorial is a pair of 200-foot long black granite walls that contain more than 58,000 names. In addition to being a powerful symbol of enduring legacy, the design allows visitors to see their own reflections in the engraved names. This helps to connect the dead and living in a way that few other monuments can.

The names include uniformed first responders, as well as auto mechanics, Verizon workers, forensic dentists, architects and many others who worked or volunteered at Ground Zero to help restore the city. The other side of the wall is still empty, allowing family members to place their loved ones’ names there in the future.

A short distance from the wall is a sculpture called Three Servicemen, meant to connect the living with those lost. The site also includes an In Memory plaque for those whose names were not inscribed on the Wall. Each weeknight, staff climb inside the twin pools of the Memorial to give it a top-to-bottom cleaning.

The Peace Statue

Memorial Park is famous for summer fun and winter sledding, but its open, beautiful setting also provides dignity and honor for those who have lost loved ones. The peaceful surroundings set people at ease and encourage families to begin new traditions of gatherings.

The statue was commissioned by local schoolchildren after the death of Sadako Sasaki, and is a symbol of the hope for peace that was inspired by her story. Today, the memorial is visited by millions of visitors from around the world.

The statue is now undergoing a thorough conservation effort, made possible by a state grant that is being match by the town. The Royalston Arts Foundry is conducting the work, and Jeffrey Bronnes, owner of the company, said the work should be completed within a week. He has done yearly maintenance on the sculpture and was responsible for its last conservation about 25 years ago. The statue is the official peace monument of the commonwealth.

The Vietnam War Memorial

Located in the heart of the park, the Vietnam War Memorial commemorates the courage, sacrifice and devotion to duty of those who served our nation in the Vietnam Era. The Memorial’s open-air design features black granite walls with a list of names from the conflict.

Each name is accompanied by a symbol that indicates status: missing (on the west wall) or killed in action or died of other causes (on the east wall). The names begin and end at the point where the two walls meet, forming a circle.

The Memorial’s inner ring includes a bronze statue of three servicemen standing together, gazing at the Wall of Names. Originally a third-place winner in the original competition, this sculpture was designed by Frederick Hart and added to the Memorial in 1984. It honors the thousands of women who served in Vietnam as military nurses and civilians, such as doctors, humanitarian aid workers and photojournalists. The Wall of Names and statue are also a stop on the annual Run for the Wall motorcycle rally.

The funeral bureau licenses and regulates funeral directors, embalmers, apprentice embalmers, cemetery brokers, salespersons, and approximately 200 cemeteries. It also investigates complaints about funeral services and practices.

In addition, funeral directors must be registered with the New York City Department of Health to work in the industry. They must be registered in person at one of two Burial Desks, or via the Internet.

Licenses

A funeral director or embalmer must be licensed to operate a funeral establishment. To become licensed, the applicant must complete all applicable application forms and pay required fees. He or she must also pass the state law examination and national board exam. The license must be displayed in a conspicuous place at the funeral home or office.

Registrants are required to take continuing education courses and renew their licenses on an ongoing basis. Each state has different requirements for continuing education, but they all require a certain number of hours within a given time period.

In addition to the licensing and registration requirements, all funeral directors and embalmers must obtain a license before removing personal materials from dead human bodies. These materials can include locks of hair, fingerprints, a tissue sample, or DNA.

Applicants must register with the Board prior to removing these items, and they must submit a statement of consent from the person who owns or has control of the body. The registrant must also file a copy of the written consent with the funeral director.

Registration

The Board of Funeral Services licenses and regulates funeral homes, embalmers, and cremation businesses. The board investigates complaints and takes disciplinary action when necessary. It also monitors compliance with laws and regulations on consumer rights and treatment of bodies.

Each license expires on September 30 of each year. In order to renew the license, a business must submit an annual report and a filing fee. The report must include a description of the method you plan to use to dispose of cremated remains.

Continuing education requirements are an important part of the licensing process for both funeral directors and embalmers. The Board of Funeral Service requires one hour of continuing education each year that covers either compliance with the laws governing the profession or preneed funeral arrangements. The course should be taught by a licensed funeral director or embalmer. The course may be completed in person or online.

Continuing education

Continuing education is required to maintain the licenses of funeral directors and embalmers. Courses must be directly related to the scope of practice. They cannot be for the principal purpose of promoting, selling or offering any goods, products or services to funeral homes. Courses must be presented by an approved provider. They must include a method acceptable to the board for monitoring the attendance of participants and for verifying that a participant has completed the course.

2024 Course Descriptions:

Master Funeral Director and Master Embalmer licensees must be familiar with the required legal, ethical and regulatory components of their profession. They must be able to communicate these to the apprentices they train and educate. They must also have an understanding of the apprenticeship’s expanded educational concepts and a desire to help mold the candidates slated to carry on their traditions as future leaders in death care. They must be able to communicate these issues in the context of the current culture.

Licensing requirements

There are a number of licensing requirements for funeral directors and embalmers. These vary from state to state. The requirements include completing an apprenticeship and passing national and state licensure examinations. The requirements also include fulfilling ongoing continuing education requirements.

Before starting a mortuary course, prospective students should be aware of any criminal convictions that may affect their eligibility for a license in their state of residence. In some states, misdemeanor and felony convictions disqualify an individual from entering the funeral service profession. Applicants should clear this issue with the relevant state funeral service licensing agency.

In New York, all licensees must register their death certificates with the Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s Office of Vital Records. This process is handled by a Burial Desk in Manhattan or Brooklyn or through the electronic death registration system. Licensed funeral directors, embalmers, and hospitals file these documents. In addition, the Bureau of Funeral Directing requires a resident to perform and handle 40 cases during their residency.