A cemetery is a place where people are buried. A cemetery is not necessarily associated with a church.
Before cemetery burial became popular, most church members were buried in graveyards on the church’s premises. By the 18th Century, churchyard burial space was running out.
When visiting your ancestor’s grave, look around. You may notice other tombstones nearby that belong to family members.
Burial Grounds
A cemetery is a large burial ground. The word comes from the Latin cimetière, which means “sleeping place.”
Cemeteries require a large amount of space to accommodate burial plots, memorial structures, and landscaping. They are usually established on the periphery of towns and cities where larger tracts of land are available.
Some people choose to visit graveyards for their natural beauty. Others do so because they want to learn more about the lives of the interred. This type of visit may include reading sexton records, transcribing headstones, or simply strolling through the cemetery.
There are many ways to honor the dead, including planting trees and constructing monumental sculptures. The cemetery is also an excellent location to observe wildlife, such as birds, flowers, and insects. This can be a spiritual experience for some visitors. Others may be content to quietly enjoy the solitude and peace of a quiet cemetery. The cemetery can become an important community gathering place for family and friends to celebrate a life well lived.
Burial Plots
Purchasing burial plots in advance can help families lock in costs and spare future generations some of the burdens associated with funeral expenses. Depending on the cemetery, certain aspects of the cost may vary; however, plots themselves are typically owned in perpetuity and will remain at their current prices regardless of increased costs for goods and services.
Burial plots are often used as a way to honor traditions and cultural identity. In addition to honoring family history, these traditional burial methods are a more environmentally friendly option than cremation, as they allow for natural decomposition and help preserve green space.
Burial plots are not real estate, and thus, can be sold or transferred just like any other property. Most people choose to purchase a single burial plot for one casket, a double or companion burial plot for two people, or a family plot for multiple burials. Other options include walled estates and lawn crypts. Purchasing these in advance can produce even greater savings.
Monuments
The monuments found in a cemetery serve many purposes. They memorialize the deceased, remind people of their lives and serve as historical records. They also add to the beauty and serenity of the cemetery. Monuments are often personalized with specific details, heartfelt inscriptions and religious symbols.
The type of grave a loved one was in will determine what kind of monument they will have. In the past, many of the graves in cemeteries were marked with simple flat headstones. Today, many individuals choose to memorialize their loved ones with a bronze or granite monument which can be shaped into unique forms.
There are a number of different factors to consider when selecting a monument. There are design and inscription decisions to make, as well as cemetery regulations and Jewish tradition to keep in mind. It is often helpful to work with a professional when making these choices. They can provide advice and assistance to ensure a family’s wishes are honored.
Gravestones
The headstone is the most common form of grave marker. It usually states the person’s full name, birth and death dates, as well as a personal epitaph that expresses their beliefs or life’s meaning.
Headstones can be made from many types of stone, but marble and slate are most popular. Marble is soft enough to be carved into detailed designs and polished so that it shines when wet. Slate is hard and takes a very fine inscription, but over time moisture can erode the deep carvings.
In ancient times the term stela may have been used to describe the flat, slab-like stones that mark the foot end of a grave. These were typically less elaborate than the headstone and would contain only very short inscriptions.