Category: News

Working with the dead is a mortician’s job, but this career can also be emotionally challenging. Learning self-care and practicing a healthy outlook on life can help.

Below is a standard white mortuary tray. The milk creates are where bodies are kept and prepared. The sink in the picture looks like a toilet, but is used to sterilise tools.

Working Conditions

Mortuary workers often have to work nontraditional hours. Preparing a body for burial or embalming may take place during the night, and morticians also must be on call to answer questions about funeral arrangements. Depending on the size of the funeral home, this may lead to long hours and inconsistent schedules.

Despite being an essential service, the death care industry is poorly regulated in many countries. This results in poor working conditions, especially in the case of mortuary attendants. Most of them are not properly trained on universal standard precautions when handling corpses.

InvoCare, the largest funeral home operator in New Zealand, has been accused of breaching safety rules after it exposed employees to dangerous levels of formaldehyde at three of its mortuaries. Employees at the company say they have been waiting for more than a year to see their exposure testing results. One former embalmer told RNZ that he had to buy his own mask as InvoCare didn’t offer it free to staff.

Working Hours

Morticians work traditional hours, but there are many situations when they have to work outside of those hours. They may be called in to perform duties during the night if there is an emergency or when a family is trying to arrange funeral services.

Morgue workers have a number of duties, including preparing bodies for funerals, making arrangements with clergy members, and ensuring that the body is not infected with disease. They must also maintain a high level of cleanliness and keep records of the deceased. They might have to shave corpses before a pathologist conducts an autopsy or remove organs with scalpels. They might also have to make arrangements for a cremation or burial.

A mortician’s career path may be a bit more unusual, but some people enjoy the responsibilities and caring nature of this position. They often prefer a work environment that is primarily indoors and may have a more flexible schedule than other jobs.

Education Requirements

Aspiring morticians need to go through a two-year associate degree program in mortuary science and complete an apprenticeship. The apprenticeship may take place while the student is still in school, or it can be completed after graduation. In some states, the student must also pass a state licensing exam before they can start working as a funeral director or embalmer.

The funeral industry is a very emotional one, and those who work in a mortuary are exposed to human fragility on a daily basis. It is important for anyone in this profession to be able to handle the stress and tragedy of death with grace, compassion and dignity.

The best option for future morticians is to attend a mortuary science program at an accredited college or university. Ideally, the students should take a broad range of classes that will prepare them for the many different aspects of this career. These courses should include biology, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, English, and speech classes.

Job Duties

Morticians, also known as undertakers, are responsible for the end-to-end funerary process. They meet with families, advise them on funeral options and help plan the burial service. They also prepare the body for cremation and embalming. They have to be very empathetic and respectful in their dealings with the bereaved.

They are required to be on call for grieving families at any time. This could mean working out of hours, on a late shift or even overnight. They must be able to work well under pressure and keep up with the demands of the job.

The results of this study highlighted the need for a formal apprenticeship programme for mortuary attendants to equip them with the skills and knowledge needed for their work. This will enable them to provide high quality services to the bereaved families and build their confidence in a challenging profession. It will also enhance the credibility of their scientific work and establish a career pathway for them.

While many people use the terms graveyard and cemetery interchangeably, there are some distinct differences between them. Graveyard refers to a resting place on church property, and cemetery refers to a burial ground unaffiliated with any particular religious organization.

Both can be beautiful, serene places to visit, but there are some things that you should know before visiting.

Definition

A graveyard is a burial ground. It is often affiliated with a church and located on the churchyard or church grounds. Traditionally, churchyards were limited in space and allowing only members of that church to be buried there. As space ran out, non-church associated cemeteries were established and the terms graveyard and cemetery began to be used interchangeably.

Graveyards tend to be older and somewhat chaotic in appearance with old tombstones scattered around the area. Cemeteries, on the other hand, are usually newer and neatly divided into family plots.

If you work late at night, your shift is known as a graveyard shift. This is not because you are watching over a graveyard full of dead people, but rather because the graveyard hours are known for their darkness and strangeness. This spooky term has its origins in superstition and legend, including the idea that witches or sorcerers rob graveyards to get the skulls and bones they need for their ceremonies.

History

The term cemetery carries connotations of secrecy and a dark aura. It is the site of supposed black magic ceremonies and other clandestine happenings, including grave robbing for skulls (gold teeth and jewelry are preferred), thrilling sex encounters and other sinister activities.

During the early days of modern civilization, people generally buried their dead on their own property or in a burial ground adjoining a church. As the population grew, these churchyards quickly reached their maximum capacity and new burial sites were established, known as cemeteries.

Unlike the quaint old-fashioned churchyards, most modern cemeteries are massive spaces with hard boundaries that are often maintained by a private company and are referred to as memorial parks. These are often scattered throughout the city, rather than being located on church grounds like their medieval counterparts. These spaces are a reflection of the increasing separation between our world and the afterlife. They also accentuate our desire for technological advancements that can bridge the gap between our lives and the world beyond.

Locations

Generally, graveyards are affiliated with a church. Since they are confined to church grounds, they tend to be smaller in size due to land limitations. Churches may also have stipulations that only members of their religion be buried on their property.

However, as the population grew and churches ran out of space, non-church-associated cemeteries were developed to provide additional burial options. This allowed people of all faiths to be buried in one place.

Some modern graveyards have become places of peace and solace for those who have lost loved ones, while others have been taken over by malevolent forces and evil villains. Even so, the beauty of many graveyards is something to behold. For example, Green-Wood Cemetery in NYC features resplendent ginkgo trees, tranquil koi ponds and decorative mausoleums. The cemetery is so popular, it’s a must-visit for visitors to NYC.

Etymology

While the terms graveyard and cemetery are often used interchangeably, a graveyard is a specific type of cemetery. Graveyard comes from the Latin cimetiere, which derives from the Greek word koimeterion, meaning “sleeping place.” Originally, European church bodies were buried in the grounds surrounding their places of worship, so the term referred to the portion of a churchyard that contained burials.

As church attendance decreased, the churches’ graveyards filled up, and people began to be buried in other locations. Because of this, a more generalized term emerged, cemetery, which is not associated with any particular church.

Today, many people who are buried in the ground do not attend any church and therefore would not be considered part of the congregation. Also, many people from different religious backgrounds are buried in cemeteries rather than in churchyards. For these reasons, some people prefer to use the term cemetery when speaking about a resting place and graveyard for an actual church-related burial ground.

Modern cemetery design thinks beyond a place to lay a grave; it’s a vibrant celebration of family, history and individuality. This requires a unique blend of knowledge and skill.

Often designed to be admired from a distance, slant memorials may feature unique shapes or a statue. They also can be engraved with unique words or symbols.

Master Plan

Whether it’s to accommodate the increasing needs of the community or to provide new burial alternatives, a thoughtful master plan is necessary to guide cemetery expansions and improvements. This includes a thorough review of the existing inventory, development costs and site capabilities, as well as an analysis of burial types and quantities, mausoleums, cremation needs and more.

A cemetery’s landscape should be designed to evoke feelings of peace and tranquility for its visitors. We encourage the use of native flora that thrives in the climate and soil conditions of the region, as it is both environmentally sensitive and cost effective for the long term.

In addition, innovative alternatives for burying remains are being pursued as the world struggles with limited land resources. For example, a cemetery in England has developed a modular system that doubles the amount of burial space and is less costly than traditional ground burial. We also see an increased demand for urn gardens and skyscrapers that offer a unique way of celebrating the memory of loved ones.

Landscape and Architecture

Cemeteries are complex places that offer the opportunity to create memorable spaces. They must balance the needs of all users with a sensitivity to tradition, family, history, and individuality. This translates to efficient street layouts, harmonious neighborhoods of related structures, a sense of place, and a design vocabulary that honors the past.

The landscape at Green-Wood is an exemplar of what cemetery designers can achieve. The reinterpretation of the classical concept of a cemetery allows nature to play an important role, while respecting the primary function of a cemetery as a social space for reflection and memorialization.

Well-planned landscaping can also save costs and resources. For example, reducing the amount of asphalt pavement and using organic fertilizers reduces maintenance costs. Planting native grasses reduces mowing time, which lowers groundskeeping costs. And preserving land for burial plots and park features increases revenue. All of this requires a deep understanding of a community’s cultural and spiritual traditions.

Signage

Cemetery signage needs to be carefully designed. It must be cost effective and clearly communicate the information needed by visitors in a non-obtrusive manner. Cemetery maps should be well designed and be easy to read by people of all ages. They should also be aesthetically pleasing and should fit the overall character of the cemetery or crematoria.

Monumental signs, and plaques need to be carefully located within the cemetery so that they are visible to visitors. The location of these signs is also important because they affect the burial capacity of a cemetery and the amount of space available for new graves in future years.

Lawn cemetery visitors have a tendency to leave flowers and other items on the graves, especially those of children. This clutter makes it difficult to mow the lawns and creates a maintenance challenge. Some war graves will be marked with timber remembrance crosses with red poppies, and Jewish war graves are often adorned with burning memorial candles.

Grading and Drainage

As a cemetery grows it becomes more complex to manage and maintain. The layout of roads and grading of burial areas is critical to the functionality of the grounds.

Cemeteries are an integral part of a community. They tell a city’s story, provide a place of peace and honor the deceased. It is important that the design of these unique landscapes reflect their function and the needs of the families they serve.

Well-planned landscaping helps with flow, mowing, maintenance and aesthetics. Using native grasses reduces mowing costs and the use of chemical fertilizers. Water features such as ponds provide a tranquil setting and attract wildlife.

Our designers work with our clients to help evaluate alternatives and different approaches to a project. This allows us to stay within a realistic budget and make the most efficient installations. The results of this process are a quality cemetery design that will stand the test of time.

A cemetery is land set aside for burial or entombment. Geography, religion, and social attitudes all affect where and how a community buries its dead.

Cemeteries have drawn scholarly attention, but findings are often contradictory. A few enduring themes do emerge from the literature. For example, there is an association between church attendance and cemetery visits.

Historical Connection

Cemeteries are a part of the history of a community, and provide an important window into how the residents of a place once lived. Headstones and other mementos offer insights into jobs, relationships, social connections, and other aspects of a person’s life. Researchers have found evidence of respectful burial in tombs from the Stone Age that were discovered with a variety of tools, vessels and utensils still intact.

The terms ‘graveyard’ and ‘cemetery’ are often used interchangeably, but there is a difference in meaning. A graveyard is land that has been set aside for burial, usually attached to a church. The word comes from the Greek koimeterion, meaning sleep or resting place.

Unlike other city property, cemetery land does not generally come under the power of condemnation. Speculative cemetery crazes have swept the country from time to time, and it is best for cities to take a proactive role in keeping an eye on these developments.

Peaceful Environment

A cemetery provides a peaceful environment where people can grieve in peace. This allows individuals to focus on pursuing their goals and aspirations without the distraction of fear and conflict.

Peaceful environments are essential for businesses, schools, and hospitals to operate effectively. They promote teamwork and collaboration between employees, allowing for the exchange of ideas and the creation of new solutions to problems. In addition, they allow students to learn in an atmosphere free of anxiety and fear, promoting a more positive learning experience.

A cemetery also gives people the opportunity to visit loved ones’ graves and pay their respects. Despite the fact that visiting is not mandatory, many families choose to do so, leaving behind flowers and other decorations on the gravestones. However, these decorations can often become unmaintained due to the passage of time and environmental conditions. This can lead to damage or even destruction of the grave monuments and headstones. This can result in a grave being re-used, which can cause distress to family members.

A Place of Remembrance

For many people, a cemetery is a special place to remember and honor the deceased. Many people choose to decorate a grave with flowers or other tributes to show love and respect for their loved ones. Others may bring cleaning supplies to gently clean a headstone, which is a way of showing they care for the memory of their loved one.

Burial rituals around the world have changed over time. As populations grew, church graveyards became full, and independent sites called cemeteries began to be established. The word cemetery comes from the Greek koimeterion, meaning “sleeping place” or “dormitory.”

Visiting a cemetery is often a very emotional experience. When visiting a gravesite, it is important to maintain a hushed tone and respect the feelings of those around you. It is also a good idea to familiarize yourself with the rules of each cemetery before you visit, as they may have different guidelines for visitors than you are used to.

A Place of Healing

Whether a loved one chooses burial or cremation, the location of their final resting place is an important decision. Cemeteries offer many options that can fit any individual’s needs. There are also a variety of funeral services that can be held at the cemetery, which can provide comfort throughout the grieving process.

The setting of a cemetery, with its quiet, peaceful environment and shady trees, can be comforting when dealing with the loss of a loved one. In addition, there are traditions such as visiting on special dates like anniversaries or birthdays that can help with the healing process.

In keeping with Gibson’s notion of affordance, it is possible that memorial landscapes facilitate and guide, but also constrain and forbid, certain actions and behaviors. Thus, they may serve as a site for the societal transformation that comes with overcoming grief and recognizing life’s fragility and preciousness.

Memorial Park features miles of hiking trails through the woods, a picnic loop that’s used heavily by road cyclists, softball fields and tennis courts. It’s also home to one of the most fitting September 11th memorials in the Village.

The Walls of Remembrance honor all local residents who served in both world wars. During the Depression, a work project camp established here developed much of the Park’s infrastructure.

Playground

The playground at memorial park is a great outdoor destination for kids. The large wooden playground looks like a castle and is full of different passages for kids to explore. It is a fun place to play with your children and is also a good spot for picnics.

The park has a variety of ground level activities that promote social interaction, gross and fine motor skills as well as sensory integration. The playground also has a Sensory Dome made by Kompan, which is a first of its kind in the country.

In addition to the playground, the park has a large grassy field that is ideal for Frisbee golf or picnicking. There is a public swimming pool in the summer and the park also has several hiking and biking trails. There are also baseball and softball fields as well as tennis courts and a basketball court. The park is also home to the Mineola Memorial Library.

Softball Field

In addition to baseball/softball fields, a full concession stand and parking lot, the park also houses a children’s playground and tennis courts. It also hosts a wide variety of recreational programs for residents including free line dancing and knitting for a cause.

Memorial Park is a beautiful open space for hiking, camping and picnicking nestled in old-growth redwood forests. It’s also home to a multitude of wildlife species such as banana slugs, frogs, deer and squirrels.

The park is home to one of Long Island’s most fitting September 11th memorials as well as an amphitheater and the Veterans Memorial honoring all village residents who served their country. It also contains a picnic area and one of the most picturesque areas for viewing the river.

Baseball Fields

Home to the city’s two town ball teams and other amateur baseball action during the summer, this park offers a nice little baseball field. There is also a basketball court, soccer field, and plenty of benches to sit in. It’s a pretty good park for the area and is a great place to visit with kids. The only thing is that it can get a bit smelly from the geese that frolic there from time to time.

Eagle Field and Memorial Hall form an impressive sports complex that includes top-of-the-line playing surfaces, spectator seating, enclosed press boxes, broadcast rooms, batting cages and indoor practice facilities. The original outdoor pitching mound and batter’s box were switched from dirt to turf in 2016. In 2018, outfield wall padding was installed and batting cage netting was replaced. A Right View Pro video system was added to accommodate official replay requirements for Sun Belt competitions. There are also two reservable group picnic shelters at the park.

Tennis Courts

With dozens of clubs and hundreds of courts, Houstonians are no strangers to playing tennis. But for the casual player who wants to just hit around with friends, finding a court without paying a membership fee or making a reservation can be daunting. Here are six of the best public courts in town to play a pick up game.

The main city park in Mineola features a paved walking trail, picnic areas, sports fields and the Memorial Park Tennis Center. It also houses the village’s only full size municipal swimming pool and hosts numerous events throughout the year. The park has a formal and informal character with sweeping lawns, majestic trees and one of Long Island’s most fitting September 11th memorials.

This little west Houston treasure packs a big punch with two full size tennis courts that shine bright all day and night. Plus, it’s tucked away from the highway and road noise, so you can enjoy a quiet game of tennis with a friend.

The Board licenses Funeral Directors, Funeral Establishments and Cremation Establishments and investigates complaints against them for unprofessional conduct. It also promotes consumer protection.

To be a licensed funeral director or embalmer, you must have education requirements and pass an exam. You must also register with your state funeral bureau.

Licensing

In many states, occupational licensing is a requirement for licensed professionals, including funeral directors and embalmers. This means they have to satisfy a variety of requirements, such as completing a specific level of education, undergoing an internship, passing professional examinations and complying with other state regulations. These requirements vary from state to state, and those who are moving between jurisdictions should be able to transfer their licenses.

Individuals who wish to become funeral directors must complete the necessary application forms provided by the CCFB. They must also submit personal information, educational qualifications and documentation of their apprenticeship. In addition, they must pass a state law and national exam.

Applicants are required to disclose any criminal convictions they have and the status of any pending prosecution. In addition, applicants must fulfill continuing education requirements to maintain their licenses. Courses must be directly related to the scope of practice of funeral service. Courses that focus on merchandising or marketing are not acceptable.

Regulations

State funeral bureaus regulate the funeral business, including licensing requirements and minimum professional conduct standards. These agencies are responsible for investigating consumer complaints and taking action against licensees who fail to meet those standards. A licensed funeral director or embalmer who has received a notice of complaint should immediately consult an experienced professional licensing defense lawyer.

The requirements for licensing vary by state, but in general, a mortuary science or funeral service degree from an accredited program is required. Continuing education requirements also vary by state. The ABFSE is the national academic accreditation agency for college and university programs in mortuary science.

The CFB also oversees the licensing of funeral establishments, funeral directors and embalmers; cemeteries, their salespersons and managers; crematory operators and equipment manufacturers; and cemetery endowment care and special care trust funds. The CFB advocates for consumer protection and licensee compliance through proactive education, consistent interpretation and application of laws governing the funeral industry.

Complaints

Even with the best intentions of funeral directors, embalmers and preneed sellers, mistakes and misunderstandings can occur. Often, these issues can be resolved by communicating your concerns directly to the provider. You can usually do this in person, over the phone or by letter.

If you cannot resolve your concerns with the provider, you can file an official complaint with your state’s funeral board or other regulatory body. The board will generally try to mediate a satisfactory resolution. It may or may not publish the results of its investigation and disciplinary action, depending on your state’s freedom-of-information or “sunshine” laws.

Typically, the board will first notify the licensed funeral establishment or funeral director involved in the complaint and begin collecting statements from you; the Licensee; any potential witnesses; and others who may be knowledgeable about the incident. It will then review all of the information and determine if a hearing is warranted. If it is, you can be represented by counsel and subpoena witnesses.

Enforcement

The Bureau enforces the statutes and regulations related to funeral directing and embalming. It also receives consumer inquiries and complaints and inspects funeral homes and crematories. It also licenses and regulates funeral practitioners and establishments, registers apprenticeship trainees in funeral directing, and examines cemetery endowment care, special care trust funds, and funeral trust funds.

Funeral establishments must give consumers their General Price List, free of charge. This information must be provided to anyone who asks, including competitors, journalists, or representatives of businesses, religious societies, government agencies, or consumer groups. The GPL must be displayed conspicuously in the funeral home.

The Board has the authority to impose a civil penalty on any person whose conduct violates this act. The penalty may not exceed $1,000, and the Board must provide the person with a hearing on the matter. This procedure includes the opportunity to present evidence and cross-examine witnesses. The Board may also issue a cease and desist order to any person whose conduct is deemed to be in violation of this act.

A mortuary is where bodies are stored and looked after before they are buried or cremated. You can find these spaces inside funeral homes and in hospitals and medical centers.

A standalone morgue will only focus on preparing the body for burial and will not offer the same services as a funeral home. The funeral home will also provide embalming, a meaningful funeral service and on-site burial or cremation.

Preparation

In a mortuary setting preparation usually involves washing and disinfecting the body, suturing or packing openings, embalming (if required), dressing and arranging the remains in a coffin. Often embalming includes the application of cosmetics which is designed to give a more life-like appearance.

Once the body has been dressed it is transferred into a casket where it will remain until time for the funeral. If a funeral home is involved in the arrangements, the funeral director will then proceed to ‘cosmeticize’ the face and hands of the deceased. This is a subtle art that adds dimension and warmth where blood vessels normally appear and helps to create the illusion of life.

A mortician will usually be responsible for a lot of the management and service work in a funeral home while a funeral director oversees the actual preparation of the deceased. This is an important distinction as a standalone morgue will only offer a quick viewing for immediate family members and onsite cremation without the full offering of memorialization services that you’ll find at a funeral home.

Embalming

Embalming is the process of preserving a body to delay the natural deterioration that occurs after death. It allows for a more peaceful appearance of the deceased and is often chosen if you are having an open casket funeral service or wish to spend time with your loved one after their passing.

Historically, people have used a variety of preservatives to prevent decay and embalming has been part of this practice. The ancient Egyptians used salt to preserve their bodies; the Admiral Nelson returned home from the Battle of Trafalgar in a barrel of brandy.

Modern embalming uses a combination of chemicals to disinfect and preserve the remains. A small incision is made to insert a trocar (sharp surgical tool) into the abdomen and chest cavity; the organs are punctured, drained of fluids and gases and filled with formaldehyde-based chemicals. After completing this procedure, cotton is placed in the nose and throat to absorb any liquids and help set facial features. The mouth is then shaped and wired into place while the eyes are positioned using eye caps and glued shut. The face is cleaned and cosmetics are applied if desired.

Coffining

Mortuary science is a field of study for students interested in becoming morticians. The study encompasses everything from the biology of deceased bodies to funeral home management. Students also learn about the grieving process for bereaved families.

A coffin is the box in which a body is placed during burial or cremation. Coffins can be made of wood, metal or another material. They can be decorated or plain, and they can be open or closed.

The type of coffin used depends on the situation. For example, a pauper’s coffin may be built from the cheapest pine available, while a wealthy person might opt for mahogany and a fine lining, brass fittings and decorations.

A mortuary can be located in hospitals, medical examiner’s offices or some cemeteries. A mortuary can be attached to a funeral home or it can be an independent facility. In addition to mortuary services, funeral homes are also able to assist with memorial planning and grief counseling.

Final Arrangements

When you have decided on a funeral plan (either burial or cremation) you need to make arrangements for final disposition of the body. This involves arranging for transport of the unmbalmed remains from the mortuary to the place of burial and purchase of interment property from a cemetery. There is a basic arrangements fee that covers the availability of a funeral director, arrangement conference, filing of the death certificate and authorizations, visitation and coordination with clergy and cemetery for services.

To make the arrangements, you will meet with a funeral director at the mortuary or, in some instances, at your home or over the phone. This is a time of great stress, but there are some things you can do to help with the process. For example, determine if your loved one left behind a pre-arranged plan and work with the funeral service provider they selected. Also, check with the person’s insurance agent or life insurer to see if there are any death benefits available.

A graveyard is an area of land, usually near a church, that has been set aside for burials. It is often fenced and has rules about how people can pay their respects to loved ones interred there.

In Europe, until about the 7th century, burials were firmly under the control of the church and could only take place on consecrated ground in the churchyard. As populations grew, the capacity of these grounds was quickly exceeded and new places for burial were needed.

The History of Graveyards

Historically, a graveyard has been the area of land or a part of a churchyard where Christians were buried. Those who were wealthy or of noble birth were interred inside a church in a crypt while less wealthy congregants were buried outside in the section of the churchyard called the graveyard.

As the population began to grow, churchyards were running out of space and non-church-associated cemeteries were created to handle the burial needs of people who could not be buried on church grounds. Eventually, the terms graveyard and cemetery became interchangeable as they both refer to a place where people are buried.

The word graveyard is believed to have derived from the proto-Germanic word “graban,” which means to dig. It’s an apt name for a yard filled with graves. Over time, many cultures have held superstitions and legends associated with a graveyard. Often, they have been places for devil worshipping, grave-robbing (for gold teeth and jewelry), thrill-seeking sex encounters and other clandestine activities.

The Difference Between Cemeteries and Graveyards

Graveyard and cemetery are two words often used interchangeably, but they’re actually very different. A graveyard is a large ground that’s primarily used to bury bodies and usually directly affiliated with a church, which limits the people who can be buried there to congregants of the connected religion.

Cemeteries, on the other hand, are not directly affiliated with any particular church and are generally much larger than graveyards. They also allow burials for people of all faiths and have more flexible rules when it comes to headstones.

As the population grew, it became clear that church graveyards couldn’t handle the growing number of burials. As a result, new independent places for burying people appeared and were called cemeteries. The etymology of the word “graveyard” is interesting; it is derived from the Greek word koimeterion, which means’sleeping place.’ It is a good reminder to consider the difference between these two burial grounds when making end-of-life arrangements.

The Pros and Cons of Burial in a Graveyard

A burial can provide a sense of closure for loved ones and a place to remember the deceased. It is also traditional and sometimes required by religions.

However, a burial can be expensive depending on how fancy you want to make it and how many extras you add. There are also environmental concerns. A traditional burial uses a lot of metal, concrete, and embalming fluid which can have negative impacts on the environment.

Moreover, some people worry about the overcrowded state of cemeteries. Some countries have even run out of usable land for cemeteries. This has caused some families to opt for re-using graves, which can be a challenge since locating living family members who have purchased the rights to those graves is often impossible or prohibitively expensive. Additionally, a graveyard may not be as peaceful if it is located close to homes and businesses. This can lead to a noisy and unsettling environment. Those who prefer to lower their carbon footprint and return to the earth can choose a green or natural burial instead.

Choosing a Grave

Choosing the place you want to be buried or helping a loved one make these arrangements is an important and personal decision. There are many factors to consider, including cost and location. It’s important to compare prices and options among cemeteries, and visit them if possible, to make sure they meet your preferences.

Some people prefer a cemetery with a long history, others may find peace in a lush garden setting. Some offer options like mausoleums and scattering gardens, while others have religious statues or hilltop views. You’ll also want to ask about the cemetery’s specific rules and regulations. For example, some have guidelines regarding headstone size and material.

It’s also important to consider the cemetery’s policy on re-using old graves. Oftentimes, this is done because of space constraints. However, older family members can be distressed by this practice. In such cases, the cemetery will typically provide public notice and give families an opportunity to object.

The funeral process is a deeply personal experience and the cemetery must respond sensitively. A good design promotes cohesive planning, optimizes land utilization and improves long term sustainability of a delicate space.

Lyon helps communities find creative ways to make room for new burials without sacrificing old grounds. A modern cemetery welcomes community connection and offers options for everyone to be remembered their way.

Master Plan

Developing a master plan gives a cemetery a roadmap for the future. It also helps a cemetery to see potential problems that could arise and address them before they become a problem.

Modern cemetery design emphasizes connection with families and community, offers options for burial, memorialization and commemoration, and enhances land use efficiency through circulation, access and wayfinding improvements. Often, the master plan will include the analysis of the financial situation and opportunities for fund generation and volunteer development.

Careful, well-designed landscaping and naturalized features help to reduce mowing and maintenance costs, improve soil quality and create an attractive landscape that invites wildlife. Ponds, both natural and constructed, add a serene and beautiful feature to a cemetery. They are also a great source of water for irrigation.

Landscape and Architecture

Modern cemetery landscape design must go beyond a place to lay a headstone; it must be a vibrant celebration of life, family, history and individuality integrated within a community. This takes a special kind of know-how.

Cemeteries are like cities, with streets that efficiently accommodate traffic flow, harmonious neighborhoods of related structures and scenic vistas that draw the eye. Landscape architects must balance these considerations with the unique challenges of the site, such as ensuring that the landscape will be resilient and environmentally sound.

The Laroque des Alberes Cemetery project by EMF demonstrates how well this can be done. The architecture is not only beautiful, but respectful of nature as it bows down before it. This is what the best of landscape architecture can do.

Accessibility

A cemetery provides a tranquil place for people to visit and pay their respects to departed loved ones. It also provides a unique opportunity to memorialize the deceased through various types of monuments, headstones and markers.

Modern cemetery design is embracing the new perspective of a cemetary as more than just a quiet, peaceful resting place. It includes shared amenities with the community, connects with families and offers more options for those who want to express their personality.

Integrated green elements like trees and grass serve an ecological function, regulating temperature and soil erosion as well as providing habitats for insects and small animals. Ponds are often included for aesthetic purposes but also serve a dual purpose of water filtration and management. Many cemetery users also enjoy walking and biking around ponds.

Signage

A well designed cemetery sign can help the public navigate the grounds with ease. Signage can include cemetery entrance signs, directional signage, memorial plaques, and memorial benches.

The memorialization of the dead has been a deeply engrained part of most cultures for millennia. Memorials are impactful and meaningful acts of remembrance that connect people to their past, to one another, and to future generations.

Historically, cast metal tombstones bore numbers of the dead, dates of birth and death, and inscriptions like “Fugit hora” (time flies) or memento mori (“remember that you must die”). Covered octagonal rostrums were built for speeches on Decoration Day, now known as Memorial Day.

Grading and Drainage

Modern cemetery design goes beyond simply laying a grave. It is a vibrant celebration of life, family and history – integrated within a shared community. It takes a unique set of expertise to design such an environment.

This can include the design of new burial spaces that are space efficient, or the redesign of existing burial spaces to better accommodate current use or future expansion. It may also include a topographic survey and grading improvement design to remedy an issue like flooding or standing water.

Adding ponds and other natural features can be beautiful, but they also help to control soil erosion, manage storm water and attract wildlife. A well-planned landscaping design also improves the overall visual appeal of a cemetery. It is often said that “design shows the world what you stand for.” A great design does more than that, it tells your brand’s story.

A cemetery is a place where people are buried when they die. It is a place where family members can visit and reminisce about their loved ones.

The inscriptions and shapes of grave markers reflect notions of death and life. These markers also mark the boundaries between the worlds of the living and dead.

Location

The terms cemetery and graveyard are sometimes used interchangeably, but there is a difference. A cemetery refers to a dedicated area for burials, with specific plot locations and clearly defined boundaries. It may be religious or non-religious, with a cemetery authority operating under its own internal set of rules and regulations.

Graveyards, on the other hand, often have more loosely defined boundaries. They were once a common sight on church grounds, but as populations increased and small churchyards became overcrowded, they began to pose a health hazard from the putrefaction of human waste and could lead to disease in the surrounding community.

As a result, completely new burial grounds were established, usually on the periphery of towns and cities and independent of churches and their churchyards. They also tended to be landscaped and feature different areas for entombment in mausoleum crypts, tombs and sarcophagi, as well as for traditional full-body burial. The new cemeteries were a reflection of the increasing belief that the ties of kinship extend beyond death.

Functions

A cemetery serves as a place of memory for the family. This place is also used to re-establish links with the past, and is sometimes a focus for festivals of mourning. Depending on geography, religious beliefs and social attitudes, cemeteries can be simple and stark or grand and elaborate.

Most modern cemeteries provide a range of visitor services like genealogy information and flower placement programs. Many have columbaria walls for cremation urns.

In the past, the burial of the dead was often carried out in a graveyard near a church. These were called churchyard cemeteries. Due to the limitations of land availability, the number of people buried in churchyard cemeteries was often limited. The church was often responsible for granting or denying permission for burials in the churchyard of the particular church. During the First World War, soldiers buried in cemeteries were usually marked with a timber remembrance cross. Many families left a poppy wreath on the crosses, a tradition that continues today.

Types

As people move away from traditional burial, newer cemeteries are emerging that focus less on death and more on memory. These may be more like memorial parks where gravestones are plainer and often feature fewer images. Many people are also choosing cremation and preferring niches or columbaria for their final resting place.

The most common type of cemetery is the municipal or public one. These are owned by the local government and open to anyone regardless of religion or culture. They may have a stricter set of rules for grave markers and monuments.

Churchyard cemeteries are another type of cemetery where graves are reserved for members of the church. They can be found in rural areas and also in city center. Churchyards tend to have a more traditional look with older tombstones in a disorderly fashion. They are not as large as the garden or rural cemeteries. This type of cemetery is more prone to re-use of plots if family members pass on as it can be difficult to track down heirs.

Maintenance

A cemetery is a unique environment, often conjuring up powerful memories. As such, it’s a place that needs to be carefully maintained. This includes things like litter removal, mowing and weed-eating, cleaning graves, and preparing new plots. It also involves creating and maintaining visitor amenities and upholding certain policies.

For example, some cemeteries will remove decorations if they are considered unsightly or cause safety hazards. They may also remove items that create a disturbance in the natural beauty of the grounds, interfere with proper maintenance, or diminish the cemetery’s Catholic character.

The primary issue faced by many cemeteries is funding. While a single payment is typically made at the time of burial, this does not cover ongoing expenses. To solve this issue, many cemeteries use perpetual care funds to ensure that they can continue to provide service in perpetuity. This can also serve as a marketing tool to encourage families to choose traditional interments over cremations.