What do you know about burials and cemeteries in Charlotte, NC? If they were answering honestly, most people would say, “not very much.” There is a lot more to burials and cemeteries than you would think. It’s important to spend time learning as much as you can about them as it will help you be more prepared to make the necessary plans and decisions when you’re facing the loss of a loved one. Use this list of frequently asked burial questions and their answers to get started on learning more about burials.

• Why is Burial Necessary in the First Place? While there are many disposition options besides burial, a burial is a wonderful way to remember the deceased in a constructive way. A big part of the human grief process is memorializing the dead, and a permanent burial place serves as a focal point remembering your lost loved one. A permanent resting place also gives the deceased a dignified ending while still allowing his or her memory to live on.
• Will My Cemetery Close When It Runs Out of Land? Cemeteries do run out of land, but they usually do not close when that happens. They generally remain open for family members to visit graves and can even have guided tours of historic resting places.
• Is Ground Burial the Only Option? There are several options besides traditional ground burial. These include mausoleums, lawn crypts, and cremation internments like urns and columbarium.
• Are There Laws About Burial Timelines? The short answer is no, there are no federal laws requiring a body to be buried within a specific amount of time. However, there are many steps that need to be taken before a burial can take place, so it’s a good idea to get started as soon as you’re able after a death so your loved one can have a dignified funeral service and burial.
• What Will Happen to My Loved One’s Grave in the Distant Future? Cemeteries are traditionally thought of as permanent, and the land designation is often in perpetuity. You can visit graves that are more than a hundred years old all over the country. It’s nice to think that your loved one’s grave will still be around and treasured by coming generations.
• What Are Burial Vaults? And Do I Need One? Burial vaults are the outside container that holds a coffin or casket. Their primary function is to protect the casket and help maintain the grave’s integrity, so the surface doesn’t sink in. Most active cemeteries do require burial vaults to keep the cemetery ground intact and safe.

These are just a few of the many questions people have about burials. Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Garden is a Charlotte, NC cemetery. We offer a range of burial, cremation, cemetery, memorial garden and funeral services. If you have any more questions about burials or cemeteries or would like to learn more about other aspects of funerals, please do reach out. We are more than happy to do whatever we can for you in your time of loss.