A cemetery is a place where a person is laid to rest. These places often have religious significance, and you can find many traces of these remembrances in the area. These locations may be particularly meaningful to you because of their historical significance. Cemetery is a synonym for graveyard, or burial ground. It implies land that is specifically designed as a burial place. The word cemetery originated in Roman catacombs. However, this word is now used to refer to many other places where the dead are buried.
In many cemeteries, grave markers depict sleeping children or weeping angels. Some graves are even set up as a house or bed. This distinction between graveyards and cemeteries isn’t as obvious today, but it’s still important to make the distinction between them. In either case, you want to make sure the meaning of the words is clear to the reader. This is particularly important when you’re dealing with a sensitive topic such as a cemetery.
When a cemetery is located near a church, it is known as a graveyard. These graveyards are generally smaller in size than cemeteries, but can also be associated with a church. Both nonbelievers and religious people may be buried in these places. The term ‘cemetery’ comes from the Greek word koimeterion, which means “sleeping place.” This word has become synonymous with burial ground.
A cemetery has a legal right to occupy the land where it is located. However, there are many ways the legislature can dispense with a cemetery. The legislature may abolish it, or delegate its authority to the municipality to enact an ordinance. A recent 9th Circuit case in California, Masonic Cemetery Assn. v. Gamage, for example, provides an example of when this could happen. The legislature has the same power to abolish a cemetery as when it establishes one.
Some properties have the right to bury a deceased person without the consent of the family. This can be difficult for a family who is still grieving. However, bylaws and contracts in place at a cemetery may clarify this right. It is not unusual for a cemetery to have several rights under a contract. The best way to determine the right to bury someone is to review the contract. It may be best to seek legal advice from a lawyer.
While most people would feel that it is inappropriate to place a grave with anything else, the Cemetery has the right to do so. If an object is deemed offensive to the Cemetery, the staff will remove it. Additionally, there are rules about placing a bronze vase on a grave. It is also illegal to affix a piece of art to a grave, but a silk flower arrangement is permissible. The Cemetery reserves the right to use the adjoining lots for construction.
Before the modern era, burial practices in Europe were controlled by the church. Only those buried on consecrated church ground could be buried in a cemetery. Although there were local variations, continental European bodies were typically buried in mass graves until they completely decomposed. Bones were then stored in ossuaries located along cemetery boundaries or inside churches. There are various types of cemetery. And you can visit one to discover its history.
A cemetery may have a few different types of headstones. The first one, for example, is a mausoleum. These are structures that sit above ground, and have crypts for multiple caskets. Many mausoleums have indoor sitting areas, as well. You may want to choose one of these as your final resting place. If you choose a mausoleum, make sure you check the cemetery’s rules before submitting a request.
When considering the use of a grave, make sure the cemetery has a re-use policy in place. Although re-use can cause graves to fall into disrepair, it’s important to keep in mind that some cemeteries have limited tenure provisions. Re-use is not always the best option, but a strong public backlash could lead to the cemetery reconsidering its decision. If you have a family member who is living in a foreign country, you may want to consider this option.
You may also consider cremation. Cremated remains are not allowed to be buried in most cemeteries. Cremation is a common choice for many people, so you’ll want to make sure that you choose one of the cemeteries that will accommodate your wishes. There are many types of burial options available at a cemetery. You can even choose a pet cemetery. All of these options can have different emotional and cultural significance. A cemeteries must match your needs before they can properly honor the departed.