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Differences Between:
So, what are the differences between a CEMETERY and a GRAVEYARD? And, while were on the subject, lets add CHURCHYARDS! I'm sure their are many names for our final resting place, but these are the most commonly used, at least in the United States. Their are also different types of MATERIALS used for headstones and markers, but their are more common ones used that are meant to last through time! We will give ya a small list of the commonly used Materials below!
A lot of people think that a Cemetery and a Graveyard are the same, and in actual thoughts, they are. But, they do have some differences along with a Churchyard. We associate "Cemetery" as a label for all, but the word "Cemetery" has become a more popular label for most burying grounds.
Below are terms that will help you understand the differences between a Cemetery, Graveyard and a Churchyard. Hopefully this will help understanding the similarities amongst them!
If you would like to add other terms that you know of or have a question or comment, please contact us at: info@graveyardsandcemeteries.com as we would love to hear from you!
Cemetery: cem-e-ter-y
A cemetery is a place in which dead bodies and cremated remains are
buried. The term cemetery (from Greek κοιμητήριον: sleeping place) implies
that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground. Cemeteries in
the Western world are the place where the final ceremonies of death are
observed. These ceremonies or rites differ according to cultural practice
and religious belief.
It's also defined as a place for the burial of the dead, and may be either
public or private, depending on whether or not lots are made available or
sold to the general public. In order to promote public health and welfare,
the state in the exercise of its police power may provide for the reasonable
regulation of cemeteries. Burial plots are property rights which may be sold
or transferred by inheritance, subject to restrictions of the cemetery
association. There are also rules which govern the upkeep and decoration of
burial plots.
Under perpetual care, it remains the responsibility of the cemetery to
maintain the grave or plot subject, however, to weather conditions and
income to the perpetual care fund. State laws on perpetual care vary, but
perpetual care may mean endowed care under an endowment given to the
Cemetery to maintain a plot or a grave in accordance with the provisions of
the law. If the endowment proves to be insufficient over time, reduced care
or maintenance may be necessary
Graveyard: greiv-yard
A graveyard is any place set aside for long-term burial of the dead, with or
without monuments such as headstones. It is usually located near and
administered by a church. Since the mid-1800s, the term cemetery has become
a more popular label for most burying grounds.
Graveyards were usually established at the same time as the building of the
relevant place of worship (which can date back to the 8th to 14th centuries)
and were often used by those families who could not afford to be buried
inside or beneath the place of worship itself. In most cultures those who
were vastly rich and had important professions, were part of the nobility or
were of any other high social status. These people usually were buried in
individual crypts inside or beneath the relevant place of worship with an
indication of the name of the deceased, date of death and other biographical
data. In Europe this was often accompanied with a depiction of their family
coat of arms.
Most of middle or low social status others were buried in graveyards around
the relevant church again divided by social status. Families of the deceased
who could afford the work of a stonemason had a headstone carved and set up
over the place of burial with an indication of the name of the deceased,
date of death and sometimes other biographical data. Usually, the more
writing and symbols carved on the headstone, the more expensive it was. As
with most other human property such as houses and means of transport, richer
families used to compete for the artistic value of their family headstone in
comparison to others around it, sometimes adding a statue (such as a weeping
angel) on the top of the grave.
Those who could not pay for a headstone at all usually had some religious
symbol made from wood on the place of burial such as a Christian cross,
however this would quickly deteriorate under the rain or snow. Some families
hired a blacksmith and had large crosses made from various metals put on the
place of burial.
Graveyards are almost always still owned by the place of worship that they
are situated next to. The use of graveyards for burial of the dead was
largely discontinued from the 19th century onwards as they were replaced by
cemeteries.
Churchyard: cherch-yard
A churchyard is a patch of land adjoining or surrounding a church which is
usually owned by the relevant church or local parish itself. In the Scots
language or Northern English language this can also be known as a kirkyard
or kirkyaird.
A churchyard should not be confused with a graveyard or a cemetery. While
churchyards were historically often used as graveyards, they can also be any
patch of land on church grounds, even without a place of burial.
Historically the most common use of churchyards were as a consecrated burial
ground known as a graveyard. Graveyards were usually established at the same
time as the building of the relevant place of worship (which can date back
to the 8th to 14th centuries) and were often used by those families who
could not afford to be buried inside or beneath the place of worship itself.
The use of churchyards as burial grounds for the deceased was discontinued
all over Europe in various stages between the 18th to 19th centuries due to
lack of space for new headstones and dead bodies. In many European states,
burial in churchyards was outlawed altogether either by royal decrees or
government legislation for public hygiene reasons.
Churchyards can be host to unique and ancient habitats because they may
remain significantly unchanged for hundreds of years.
In many cases in the late 19th and 20th centuries, large portions of
churchyards were taken in order for roads to be built or expanded. The loss
of part (or all) of the churchyard, often lead also to the removal and
permanent loss of centuries old graves and headstones. In some cases the
human remains were exhumed and the gravestones transferred. In other cases,
all headstones have been removed, to create a park-like environment, or
simply to facilitate the seasonal cutting and removal of grass or weeds. A
very small number of churchyards across the world are still used as
graveyards today.
Materials:
Most types of building materials have been used at some time as headstones
and markers. The
most common materials used:
Fieldstones:
The earliest markers for graves were natural fieldstone, some
unmarked and others decorated or incised using a metal awl. Typical motifs
for the carving included a symbol and the deceased's name and age.
Granite:
Granite is a hard stone and requires skill to carve by hand.
Modern methods of carving include using computer-controlled rotary bits and
sandblasting over a rubber stencil. Leaving the letters, numbers and emblems
exposed on the stone, the blaster can create virtually any kind of artwork
or epitaph.
Iron:
Iron grave markers and decorations were popular during the Victorian
era in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, often being produced by specialist
foundries or the local blacksmith. Cast iron headstones have lasted for
generations while wrought ironwork often only survives in a rusted or eroded
state.
Marble and Limestone:
Both limestone and marble take carving well. Marble
is a re-crystallized form of limestone. Both marble and limestone slowly
dissolve when exposed to the mild acid in rainwater which can make
inscriptions unreadable over time. Marble replaced sandstone as a popular
material from the early 1800s.
Sandstone:
Sandstone is durable yet soft enough to carve easily. Some
sandstone markers are so well preserved that individual chisel marks can be
discerned in the carving, while others have delaminated and crumbled into
dust. Delimitation occurs when moisture gets between the layers that make up
the sandstone. As it freezes and expands the layers flake off. In the 1600s
sandstone replaced fieldstones in Colonial America.
Slate:
Slate can have a pleasing texture but is slightly porous and prone
to delimitation. It takes lettering well, often highlighted with white paint
or gilding.
White Bronze:
Actually sand cast zinc, but called white bronze for
marketing purposes. Almost all, if not all, zinc grave markers were made by
the Monumental Bronze Company of Bridgeport, CT, between 1874 and 1914. They
are in cemeteries of the period all across the U. S. and Canada. They were
sold as more durable than marble, about 1/3 less expensive and progressive.
Wood:
This was a popular material during the Georgian and Victorian era,
and almost certainly before, in Great Britain and elsewhere. Some could be
very ornate, although few survive beyond 50-100 years due to natural
decomposition. Slave markers are commonly used from wood and are mostly
found in the South in the United States.
Planting:
Trees or shrubs, particularly roses, may be planted, especially
to mark the location of ashes. This may be accompanied by a small inscribed
metal or wooden marker.
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