What does it mean when a cemetery is "closed"? (2024)

FAQs

What does it mean when a cemetery is "closed"? ›

Cemeteries that only do earth burial often run out of “saleable” space for burials more often than cemeteries that have erected mausoleums or columbaria which can increase the density for burial on smaller acreage. Once a cemetery has no options for burial of any kind, it is “closed.”

A national cemetery is designated as “closed” to first casketed and cremation burials due to the lack of space for in-ground burials. This means that only eligible individuals who already have a family member buried there could also be buried in the same gravesite or in an adjacent set-aside gravesite.

Generally, when cemeteries are redeveloped, as many relatives as can be found and the city in which the old cemetery is in are all notified, so that the bodies can be moved to another cemetery.

Cemeteries don't declare bankruptcy often, but when they do, the local municipality sometimes takes over maintenance. Volunteers often help out with maintaining cemeteries that house their loved ones if the cemetery business goes under.

Today, some cemeteries rent out plots, which allows people to lease a space for up to 100 years before the grave is allowed to be recycled and reused. Many countries around the world have resorted to this process as their available land begins to fill.

Relocation. One way of restoring abandoned graveyards is to completely relocate them to new place, such places may be; wildlife refuges, public parks or historic sites. That means relocating both the tombstone and the coffin.

Certain cemeteries have already determined there will not be enough space to continue allowing burials. Some cemeteries throughout the country have already stated that they can no longer accept new burials, while others have put a date on when they will run out of burial space.

If you've considered asking, “how long do you stay buried in a cemetery?” the answer is typically 100 years or more. Plots are sold for 50 to 100 years, but it's unusual to remove anyone from the burial grounds unless the need for space requires it.

In most cases, local governments use direct cremation to dispose of unclaimed bodies and the cremains are stored for a set period of time. After being stored the cremains may be scattered. The Cremation Society of North America has estimated that there are currently 2 million unclaimed cremated remains in the U.S.

How many people can be buried in one plot? The number of people allowed in a single space depends on the plot, cemetery, and body disposal method: Single-space plots hold a single casket with one body. Double-depth companion plots hold two stacked caskets.

What happens to cemeteries once they're full? ›

When this happens, the cemetery stops receiving new burials. The current burial sites within the cemetery continue to be maintained. In some cases, the management of the cemetery may opt to open up a new cemetery elsewhere. They will therefore be able to receive more burials at the new site.

If you cannot afford a burial or cremation, you can sign a form with the county coroner's office and the state will bury or cremate the body for you. This will be at no cost, but you won't have any say in where or how.

After the family has paid their last farewells and the funeral is over, and everyone has gone, the vault team will lower the casket in the vault. They remove the lowering device as well as take down the tent. The lid is placed on the vault. The excavator comes and replaces the dirt to fill the grave.

Grave recycling also refers to the process of exhuming bodies from graves and burying new ones in that cemetery plot. The exhumed remains are then: placed in a mass grave or a common ossuary; boxed and placed in a different part of the cemetery; or cremated and returned to family (Ferraz, July 18, 2018).

Length of Ownership. When you purchase a cemetery plot, that plot is yours forever unless you sell it or transfer it to another person via a will or a legal alternative to a will. However, the state in which the burial plot is located may take the plot away from the owner for specific reasons.

When a cemetery plot or grave is purchased, the cemetery retains ownership of the land. The purchase allows the owner the right to be buried on cemetery property. The burial right ownership is in perpetuity.

When this happens, the cemetery stops receiving new burials. The current burial sites within the cemetery continue to be maintained. In some cases, the management of the cemetery may opt to open up a new cemetery elsewhere. They will therefore be able to receive more burials at the new site.

The duration of time it takes for a grave to settle varies greatly on the season, type of burial, and other external factors. However, on average its takes about a year for a grave to fully settle.

On the way out of the cemetery, it is customary to pull out some grass and throw it back over the shoulder. All those who attended the funeral should wash their hands ritually, once outside the cemetery area. Take a large cup of water in the left hand, pour it over the entire right hand, covering up to the wrist.

Further, it's considered respectful to only hang out at grave sites where the person was buried at least 100 years ago. Not only is it respectful to the person buried there, it's also a precaution to avoid disturbing a site that's frequently visited by the deceased's family and friends.