The design of a cemetery should be both beautiful and functional. It must take into account the needs of the community it serves as well as its religious and cultural traditions.
The master plan should take into consideration the site’s topography, geotechnical characteristics, soils, drainage, vegetation, wildlife and views both on-site and off-site.
Designing a Cemetery
The process of designing a cemetery involves assessing the needs and goals of the site. This includes zoning, climate, soils, drainage, landscape and other factors.
Once a master plan is created, it is time to start planning cemetery design. This is a critical step in creating a beautiful and serene burial grounds.
A well-designed cemetery landscape provides cleaner mowing lines, lower maintenance and less cleanup. It also enhances wildlife and promotes a peaceful and relaxing environment for families to remember their loved ones.
As part of the cemetery design process, it is also important to consider interment products such as mausoleums, crypts, cremation niches and monuments. These structures must be accounted for in the cemetery layout and design process to maximize space and optimize the future use of the land.
Creating a Master Plan
One of the most important things you can do when designing a cemetery is to create a master plan. This will ensure that you will always have a roadmap to follow as you make changes and additions to your cemetery.
You will be able to see potential problems that could arise down the road and plan for them accordingly. This will also give you a way to show prospective buyers what your cemetery has to offer them.
One of the most important parts of a master plan is to account for all the cemetery facility operations and utilities that will be required on the site. This includes water supply, drainage, and sewer piping.
Creating an Accessible Cemetery
When designing a cemetery, it is important to consider the needs of people who may be living with physical or mobility challenges. This includes making sure that the entryway to the property is wide enough for a wheelchair or golf cart, and that curbs are low and easily accessible from the street.
In addition, it is also a good idea to ensure that a cemetery is not too large or too hilly. These factors can make it difficult to get around the cemetery in a wheelchair.
In addition, it is a good idea to consider how cemeteries might be used more actively by the community. This could include incorporating outdoor recreation facilities into the design, such as grass pitches or hard courts. These are great ways to encourage active engagement by the community and can be very beneficial for both the environment and people who are using the cemetery.
Creating a Green Cemetery
Creating a green cemetery is a great way to help preserve the environment. These cemeteries have a variety of eco-friendly features, including natural burial areas and composting.
It is important to choose a location for your green cemetery that offers soil conditions that are favorable for decomposition. This is particularly true if the soil is rich in nitrogen and organic compounds.
Aside from being environmentally friendly, these cemeteries are also easier on your budget. They typically don’t require the use of a casket or vault and may have prices lower than traditional funerals.
These cemeteries are becoming increasingly popular as people look for a way to reduce their environmental impact. They are a growing segment of the funeral industry, according to the Green Burial Council.
Creating a Beautiful Cemetery
Cemeteries are a public space that invites people to reflect, make pilgrimages and enjoy the beauty of nature. They’re also a place for family and friends to pay their respects to loved ones who have passed on.
A master plan is the most important step in cemetery design. It creates a cohesive plan that optimizes land utilization and improves the overall aesthetic of the space.
The city of Austin, Texas, has launched a major initiative to reclaim its cemeteries and their natural surroundings as sacred ground. A mix of historic preservation and visionary planning, the project seeks to connect people to their heritage while reviving the landscape.