A cemetery is a place where people are laid to rest. It usually is not associated with a specific church.
If you’re working on a genealogy project, it’s helpful to visit cemeteries that are relevant. That means that they were in operation at the time of death and that they jive with the person’s ethnic or religious affiliation.
Design
Saying goodbye to a loved one is an emotional and intimate event. The cemetery, as the final resting place of these loved ones must respond to this in a sensitive manner and provide a space that is dignified and meaningful for those who come to pay their respects.
A cemetery master plan must work positively with the site’s natural systems by maximizing land utilization, preserving water quality and designing retention structures that become aesthetic features. This includes integrating the infiltration of storm water into the overall design, incorporating habitats and plantings that will help absorb rainwater and providing an overall balance with the environment.
In addition, a cemetery should be able to accommodate the current and future needs of the community. For example, the trend toward cremation should be incorporated into the master plan by offering the option of interment in columbaria or scattering the remains throughout the cemetery grounds. These options will allow a cemetery to utilize less land while still offering the choice of burial for families.
Burials
Cemeteries perform several burial functions, including allocation of grave space, digging and filling the grave, and constructing headstones or other markers. In addition to these tasks, they may also provide burial vaults and other containers for the dead. These containers can help slow decomposition and protect the gravesite from groundwater. Many cultures practice a variety of burial methods. Some are heavily ritualized; others are more utilitarian, such as natural burial and the use of containers to speed up decomposition.
A cemetery may charge fees for services such as opening and closing the grave, the burial vault or container, and a headstone or marker. In addition, it may charge an endowment care fund, which is used for the maintenance of the grounds over time. Consumers should be familiar with these costs and other legal considerations in advance of purchasing a plot. Unlike property purchases, purchasing a burial plot does not confer ownership rights to the grave space.
Monuments
A monument is a larger structure that stands above the ground, and may include statues or obelisks. They can be used to memorialize a single person, couple or an entire family.
Monuments can be personalized with designs, carvings, symbols and inscriptions that honor the life of your loved one. This personalization is a meaningful way to commemorate the unique qualities of your loved one, and can reflect their hobbies or interests.
In older cemeteries, foot markers defined the limits of a grave plot and made it easy to identify a specific grave. Today, many families choose to have more detailed information on the headstone and a simple marker at the foot of the monument.
Foot markers are the least expensive option, but they may be damaged by mowing and other maintenance activities. They also do not offer as much room for customization as other styles of monuments. Swan Point offers several different styles of monuments to meet your needs.
Maintenance
A well-maintained cemetery offers a tranquil and peaceful place for visitors to honor their loved ones. In addition to caring for a grave or memorial site, regular upkeep helps prevent accidents and ensures the safety of all who visit.
Grass should be cut and mowed in accordance with county agriculture regulations. Suppression of weed growth should be done with appropriate sprays or mulches. Trees and shrubs should be trimmed or pruned to avoid damage to headstones, monuments and other site features.
Plantings and flowers can be a beautiful addition to a grave or memorial site. If you choose to use them, it is important to follow the guidelines set by your cemetery or memorial site staff regarding where they can be placed and how to care for them properly so as not to disturb other plots. It is also a good idea to regularly clean your headstones and markers to help prevent the development of moss and other unwanted organisms.