Using the words graveyard and cemetery interchangeably may seem like a small mistake, but the two terms are very different. They differ in size, religious affiliation, and more.
Cemeteries are a more modern concept, as people started to bury their dead separately from churchyards when the latter became full. But graveyards have been around for thousands of years.
Definition
Cemeteries and graveyards provide spaces for people to pay their respects to the departed. They differ in a number of ways, though. For example, a churchyard is always affiliated with a specific church and located on its property. A cemetery, on the other hand, can be anywhere and is not restricted to a particular religion or type of burial.
The first distinction is that a graveyard is often maintained by a full-time staff of caretakers who dig and prepare the graves for a fee. This is usually done to relieve families of the responsibility for digging their own family members’ graves and also to ensure that the grave is dug correctly, especially if it will be a mass burial.
Another difference is that a cemetery can re-use grave sites that have not been used for many decades, even if they had limited tenure provisions at the time of initial purchase. This can prove problematic as it is difficult to contact families and inform them that their relatives’ grave sites are being re-used, which they may not be happy about.
History
Early graveyards were often crowded with old tombstones stacked together in an informal fashion. The burial ground also frequently rearranged itself to make space for new interments. These factors led to graves being accidentally dug up or displaced, such as in the famous scene from Hamlet when Yorick’s skull is unearthed by Ophelia.
The word cemetery derives from the Latin coemeterium and ultimately from the Greek koimeterion, which means “bedchamber.” A cemetery is a distinct place of burial from a churchyard or graveyard.
Using the words graveyard and cemetery interchangeably can be confusing for those unfamiliar with these terms. The main clue to distinguishing a graveyard from a cemetery is that a graveyard is located on church grounds. Cemeteries, on the other hand, can be found in many neighborhoods. They tend to be more modern and well-organized. However, a practical difficulty with these types of arrangements is that it can be difficult to contact family members and thus prohibit the re-use of graves.
Location
While it is common to use the terms cemetery and graveyard interchangeably today, they were not originally used so synonymously. During the rapid population growth of the early 19th century, church graveyards quickly filled up and independent sites known as “cemeteries” became popular as designated final resting places. These were typically not affiliated with a particular church and were placed away from town centers to allow for more burial space. The word cemetery comes from the Latin word coemeterium, which is derived from the Greek koimeterion, meaning sleeping place or dormitory.
In Fallout, a graveyard can be found in the city of Lowell. It is located down the steps from the Mortuary, and contains a grave marked M. Kurwin. Digging up the dirt pile reveals a pipe, which can be clicked on to hear a voice say “Sleep well, Gothric Rillyn.” The party can also attempt to intimidate or fight the kobold Bugthimble and his henchmen, who are guarding the graveyard and its treasures.
Maintenance
Graveyards require constant attention. The landscape, soil and flora change as time passes and must be managed to prevent erosion, flooding, and other problems. Graves themselves are at risk for structural damage as well. Regular maintenance and inspections help preserve the beauty of the graveyard, providing a peaceful place to visit for mourners.
Tending a gravesite includes removing windblown debris, such as trash, twigs and branches, leaves and spent flowers, and dirt from the tombstone and surrounding area. A grave site should also be weeded and have fresh grass seed added to any bare patches. The marker should be cleaned, if necessary, to remove stains caused by acid rain, air pollution or biological growth like lichen and moss.
It is important to document each gravesite, ideally with a field survey sheet that records all information about a particular monument, including its condition and its inscription. This information should be stored in a database for future reference.