A cemetery or graveyard is a place where people are buried. The word cemetery implies that the land is specifically designated as a burial ground, and originally applied to the Roman catacombs.
Traditionally those who could afford the work of a stonemason had a headstone engraved with their name, date of birth and death and sometimes other biographical data. In Europe this was often accompanied by a depiction of their coat of arms.
Origin
The origin of a graveyard is thought to date back to the 7th century in Europe when burials were firmly controlled by the church. Churchyards were the only grounds where a person could be buried.
As the number of people began to increase, overcrowding became an issue, and recurring outbreaks of infectious diseases were also a concern. In order to solve these issues, many churches began building graveyards outside the boundaries of the city or town.
In America, cemetery-style gardens started becoming popular in the 18th century, with families planning all-day outings and visiting relatives at their final resting places. These garden-like areas dotted with headstones were the first cemeteries to become public parks.
While it may seem odd to visit a graveyard today, it was often one of the only available options for burying the dead in up-and-coming cities and towns. After a designated time, the headstones were removed and the land was repurposed for use as a park or other area.
Function
A graveyard (also burial ground, gravesite or cemetery) is an area of land designated for burying the dead. The term was originally applied to Roman catacombs, but is now used as a generic description for cemetery-like areas of land near a church or other building.
The main functions of cemeteries are to provide a safe and dignified place for the final resting places of deceased people, and to commemorate the lives of those who have passed away. They also provide important services to the local community, and they can be a vital source of greenspace in urban areas.
In order to maintain their viability, cemeteries need to be able to generate income through the sale of burial plots or through care charges. This income can be dependent on the ownership structure of a cemetery, the financial endowment plan and the staff configuration that is in place.
Significance
Graveyards are an important part of society, and they offer a place to bury and remember your loved ones. The quiet environment and silence help to create a sense of peace, which can bring healing for families.
They are also important cultural sites and repositories of information about the people who once lived in the area. The grave markers and headstones provide details about the deceased, their occupations and their social status.
Cemeteries are also a valuable conservation resource, especially for their flora and biodiversity. For example, a study in Hebei, China, found that burial grounds contain more species of flowering plants than field margins and provide an ideal habitat for insects that pollinate nearby wheat fields.
Etymology
A graveyard is a place where people are buried. They are often located near a church.
The word graveyard can be traced back to the Greek word koimeterion, which means “sleeping place.” This meaning was first used in the 7th century when burials were under the control of the church in Europe. Burials were allowed only on consecrated church grounds, and the area around a church was called a graveyard.
In the middle ages, the size of churchyards was limited by space and the growing population. As a result, many new places of burial were established away from the city centers and in the countryside.
These landscape-style cemeteries were usually municipally owned and sometimes also run by private companies or individuals. These cemeteries were seen as a safer and more attractive alternative to overcrowded churchyards.