The cemetery is a special place, and although not always acknowledged by the general public, its importance cannot be underestimated. It’s a place of comfort and peace, and a sanctuary for many.
The cemetery’s trees are of particular historical value. In order to preserve them, it is a priority to prioritize the use of native woody species in plots.
Functions
The function of a cemetery is to provide burial grounds for families and individuals. In the Western world, this usually involves caskets lowered into graves or mausoleums and niches (spaces) for cremains in urns in columbarium walls.
Services of a cemetery may include opening and closing graves, vaults or crypts; placing grave liners and markers; arranging for funeral ceremonies; and maintaining cemetery grounds and facilities. In addition, some cemeteries offer a fund that supports ongoing maintenance for those who have purchased an endowment care contract.
The use of a graveyard for the interment of bodies is not a new practice. In fact, many cities still maintain municipal cemeteries for their citizens. These often serve religious and ethnic groups that are unable to afford private family burial. In such cases, the cemetery functions as a public service and is often designed to reflect the religion, culture or customs of the population. It is also the site of public memorial services.
Locations
If you visit a cemetery, be sure to pay attention to the location of the graves. You might even notice a specific area where certain families are buried together. A family plot may consist of a row of traditional headstones or it could be an area with one long headstone for the entire family.
Church cemeteries usually have strict rules about burial practices, such as ensuring that the headstones live up to church values and traditions. They also discourage elaborate and over-the-top headstones and grave markers.
Cemetery management usually involves the allocation of spaces for burial and the digging, filling and covering of the graves. Most modern-day cemeteries are independent of churches or religious organizations and are designed to accommodate people from different cultures. This includes the provision of spaces for cremation as well as casket burial. Most of these places also have spaces for urns that can be purchased or rented. Some of these areas are referred to as urn gardens.
Aesthetics
The aesthetics of a cemetery is the way in which it looks, including things like the layout and decorations. It also includes the emotions that it evokes, such as sadness or peace.
Certain scenes and motifs, such as the mother with her child or the hero overcoming adversity and succeeding, appeal nearly universally across cultural differences. Likewise, some musical intervals and harmonies are considered beautiful by many people. The concept of beauty and its relationship to human nature is a broad topic that has been the subject of philosophical discussion since the early eighteenth century.
The natural beauty of a cemetery is another reason for the increased popularity of green burials. Unlike conventional graveyards, which are often crowded with headstones, urns and flowers, green burial cemeteries are often less formal, making them more accessible to families. They also offer a more environmentally friendly option than traditional burials. These benefits are bolstered by the fact that natural burials allow for more rapid re-use of land than traditional graves, as they decompose much faster.
Rules
A cemetery is a special place, and should be treated with respect. Educating yourself and your children on cemetery etiquettes and rules will help ensure that you and your family visit the grounds in a peaceful manner. For example, you should always be respectful to mourners and refrain from loud conversation.
You should also follow any rules pertaining to headstones, monuments and other memorials. For example, a cemetery may require that your monument be made by the burial grounds or that it meet specific size and design requirements. Some cemeteries will charge a fee to set your headstone, while others won’t.
You should also avoid rubbing a gravestone or monument, as this can cause permanent damage. Finally, you should never trespass in the cemetery. The superintendent may expel anyone from the grounds who disturbs its sanctity or commits an infraction. He may also revoke or suspend any permit granted. If the cemetery imposes such a restriction, it should notify you in writing.