In generations gone by it was common for many generations of a family to be buried in a family plot. Not only did this make it easier for relatives to pay respects to multiple people at once, but also it provided a comforting suggestion of continuity and family both now and in the hereafter. For families who are looking to restore the daily plot, here are some tips.
Use an experienced headstone company
In years gone by many grave markers and headstones where made of quarried stone and can suffer from weathering and pitting over the years. Using the wrong restoration techniques can cause cracks and micro damage to be aggravated and can lead to chronic damage. It is important to use a company that is familiar with the original techniques of stonework that have been used in the past so that they can seal the stone and repair any small cracks or weathering damage.
Plan the area for the future
As you restore the area it can be worth planning out how to use the area efficiently. In years gone by most burials were of the full body and there was considerable space left between plots. You may want to consider how to better use the space, especially the space in between plots, which can be at a premium in inner city or older graveyards. There is a growing trend towards cremation and many people may look to use features such as roses between the plots, which can be an interment spot for ashes.
Record the memories digitally
As the generations progress there may be no one left with a living memory of the person who is buried in different plots. It can be a great idea to, alongside with the physical cemetery restoration, record some images and stories in a digital cemetery so that future generation can explore each person who is buried in your future plot in more detail. This can be a nice way to include some of the memories that might not be easily captured in the short form of a gravestone epitaph.
If you are in charge of restoring a family plot it can be worth talking to an experienced funeral home. They can help to ensure that your preserve the important aspects of your families history and make sure that the family plot can be used for many generation of your family to come.
Share11 September 2017
It's incredibly hard to plan a funeral for teenagers. They should have their whole life ahead of them, and even if they have had a terminal diagnosis, often their parents cannot believe that they could actually be gone. When my niece passed away, I worked with her friends to make sure that the funeral worked for them and gave them a chance to grieve as well. It was great to see how much impact my niece had made on the world in such a short time, with her friends and family coming together to pay tribute to the beautiful young woman she had been. This blog has tips for other people planning funerals for teens.