Comparing Cemeteries to Graveyards for Burial, Part 1
Comparing Cemeteries to Graveyards for Burial, Part 1
At McDougal Funeral Home, cemetery services such as burial, cremation and headstones are some of our most common offerings to clients. We’re proud to assist many families as they choose a final resting place and format for a loved one, plus with future areas like maintenance and memorials.
One question we’re often asked by those interested in such services, even if just for the purposes of future planning: How does a cemetery differ from a graveyard? Are the two interchangeable terms, or do they refer to different things? This two-part blog series will look at a number of related variables here, from the basic and historical differences to several practical areas where the two either broadly differ or are actually relatively similar.
Church Association or Religious Belief
While both cemeteries and graveyards involve locations where people are buried following their passing, one of the primary differences here – both historically and today – is church association. Graveyards, traditionally, are run by churches and actually located on church grounds. Cemeteries, on the other hand, are usually not associated with churches and are run by independent groups.
In most cases, those buried in a given graveyard were either members of the church it’s owned by or arranged such a burial ahead of time. Cemeteries, conversely, have no restrictions on religious affiliation or membership.
Space Considerations
As you might have guessed based on the above, graveyards tend to be significantly smaller than many cemeteries. This is because they’re confined to church members or their families, while cemeteries are much more open. The largest cemeteries will be exponentially larger than the biggest graveyards, though there are some smaller cemeteries as well.
Headstone Themes
Both graveyards and cemeteries allow headstones and related themes for remembering the departed at their burial site. Generally speaking, however, graveyards will be the more restrictive of the two here.
This will vary depending on the specific graveyard, but there are often rules or regulations on headstone size, material or even messages written on them. Cemetery rules, on the other hand, tend to be more relaxed and allow for a wider variety of headstones to be chosen.
Memorial Maintenance
One area where cemeteries and graveyards tend to be pretty similar: Maintenance of gravestones or any other memorials you choose to leave at the burial site. Both will generally require that family or friends be in charge of periodic cleaning and inspections of the site, such as checking for cracks and organizing any items present. Friends and family are also generally responsible for placement and care of any flowers or plants, if they’re permitted on the site.
For more on the differences between cemeteries and graveyards, or to learn about any of our funeral planning or other services, speak to the staff at McDougal Funeral Home today.
