Many people use the terms graveyard and cemetery interchangeably, but there are important differences between them. A graveyard is an area of land used to bury people, often next to a church.
During the Middle Ages, wealthy and influential Christians were interred inside the church in a crypt while less-wealthy congregants were buried in the graveyard section of the church yard.
Churchyards
A churchyard is a patch of land adjacent to a church, in which people are buried. This is contrasted with a cemetery, which is a larger and more formal area of burial ground.
In the Middle Ages, wealthy lords of manors and their families would be buried inside the church itself in crypts, while the more common members of the congregation were buried in the churchyard.
Today, churchyards are often used for a mix of burials and memorials, and they can be a very pleasant place to walk or meditate. They can also be a valuable source of information for family historians. If you want to carry out any work in a churchyard, including tree felling and planting, it’s essential to check with the DAC first.
Cemeteries
While the terms cemetery and graveyard are often used interchangeably, there is a difference between them. The former refers to a burial ground on church grounds and the latter is more broadly used to describe any place for human remains.
During the Middle Ages, wealthy Christians or members of high social status were generally interred inside a church, usually in a crypt, and less wealthy congregants were buried outside on the churchyard’s grounds. These burial sites became known as graveyards.
As the population of Europe grew, the capacity of churchyard burial grounds began to run out and new places for burial emerged. This led to the development of cemeteries that were separate from church grounds and not associated with a particular religion. This allowed families to choose where they wanted their loved ones to be buried.
Gravestones
For some, cemeteries are a source of fascination, allowing us to learn more about our ancestors through the symbols and epitaphs that they left behind. However, for others, the stones are a focus of grief and mourning.
In the colonial era gravestones were usually smaller than their modern counterparts and made of stone that was readily available. In Connecticut, for example, slate was used as the primary material but sandstone was also common.
It takes a great deal of skill to carve these stones by hand. Depending on the material, it can also take time to repair damage from weather or vandalism. Even removing overgrowth like ivy can be a complicated job and should be done with care to avoid damaging the carvings. It is often better to have professionals clean the monuments rather than attempt a DIY cleaning.
Monuments
Monuments are structures dedicated to a particular person or event. They can include stone victory stelae, tomb chests and tables, fountains, and mausolea.
They are designed to withstand the test of time. Often they are made from durable materials like granite and bronze and have an inscription of biographical information and a personal epitaph.
Generally, family members are responsible for the care of their own family’s gravestone or monument. This can be difficult because of lack of funds and busy lifestyles. In many instances, the care of a gravestone or monument may be neglected and this can lead to decay, damage, or vandalism. The re-use of graves within a cemetery can also be problematic as this can cause distress to descendants who oppose it.
Grave markers
Grave markers provide a place for friends and family to gather, remember, and pay their respects to the deceased. They can be as simple or as elaborate as desired and are usually engraved with the person’s name, dates of birth and death, and possibly an epitaph.
Most grave markers are made of granite or bronze. These materials are durable and easy to work with, allowing artists to create intricate designs. Often, the grave marker will be carved with religious symbols such as animals, flowers, flames, and celestial objects like the moon and stars.
Flush or flat grave markers are set in the ground above a grave space and can be more affordable than headstones. Some have vase attachments that allow the bereaved to leave floral tributes.