A graveyard is a place where the dead are buried. It is a locale set aside, either by governmental authority or private enterprise.
The word cemetery originated from the Old French cimetiere, which means “graveyard”. It was also associated with the Greek koimeterion, meaning “a sleeping place.”
Definition
A graveyard is a place where people are buried. It’s a relatively modern term, though it has roots in the word cemetery.
It’s also linked to the ancient Greek word “koimeterion,” which means “dormitory.” Early Christians came to use the word to refer to a person’s final resting place.
When someone dies, their family often chooses a cemetery to bury them. The word cemetery comes from the Greek words “grave,” meaning a burial place, and “gardan,” which means an enclosed area.
Many cemeteries are a mix of secular and religious, so it’s common to find graves in both categories. However, there are some differences between the two types of cemetery, including their headstone requirements.
Origin
The origin of the word graveyard can be traced back to 7th century Europe when burials were firmly controlled by the church. Initially, people were buried close to the church, while those of higher status and wealth were buried in crypts beneath the church.
As the population grew, these cemetery-like grounds became overcrowded and unsanitary. This eventually led to the emergence of cemeteries that were not associated with churches.
Often called “rural cemeteries,” these new burial sites were created outside of city centers, where they could accommodate more people. These cemeteries were also seen as a way to solve lingering diseases, infectious diseases, and flood problems that were prevalent in churchyards.
The word cemetery comes from the Greek koimeterion, which means “sleeping place.” It was first applied to Roman catacombs, but over time it has come to refer to any site that is dedicated to burying dead people. It is also a common term for a cist, a prehistoric burial chamber that holds a body or ashes after cremation.
Types
When it comes to cemeteries, there are many types to choose from. The most common are public and private. A public cemetery is typically owned by a municipality such as the city, county or state and is open to all who wish to pay their respects. A private cemetery is usually owned by a lodge, civic or fraternal group and is typically more restrictive in terms of who gets to use it, and for what.
The most difficult task is figuring out which is the best one for you and your family. You may need to do a little research before making that final decision.
The best way to do this is to talk to a qualified funeral director about the options available. Some will advise you on the right type of burial site for your specific needs and budget.
Etymology
A graveyard is a place where people are buried after they die. It is often associated with a church, but it isn’t affiliated to any specific religion.
Cemeteries are similar to graveyards, but they are not associated with a particular church and can be much larger due to land limitations. This allows them to accommodate people of all faiths.
Cemetery authorities usually employ a full-time staff of caretakers to dig the graves and maintain the cemetery grounds and facilities. They also keep a record of all the burials in the cemetery and sell niches to families who wish to bury their loved ones.
Graves are marked by a headstone engraved with the name of the person and other biographical data. Richer families may have a higher-quality headstone, with more writing and symbols on it. War graves are commonly marked with remembrance crosses and poppy wreaths left by visitors.