What is a crypt, really? Do people still use crypts in cemeteries in Matthews, NC? Are there different kinds of crypts? Keep reading to learn more about crypts.

Maybe you’ve heard about crypts before or seen them in a scary TV show or mummy movie. Crypts aren’t as dark or scary as they seem in the movies. Instead, they are simple, meaningful places to house loved ones who have passed on and have had a service at a funeral home. Per Merriam-Webster, a crypt is, “a chamber (such as a vault) wholly or partly underground, a vault under a main floor of a church, or a chamber in a mausoleum.” Simply put, a crypt is a vault or small space used to house dead bodies, generally on the floor of a church or underground in some capacity.

It’s important to note that crypts and mausoleums are not the same thing. Mausoleums are the building that house crypts above ground, while crypts are the small rooms that house caskets. In other words, a mausoleum holds the crypt, and the crypt holds the casket or the body. Interestingly, there are different kinds of crypts, including mausoleum crypts and lawn crypts. While “crypt” refers to chambers underneath churches, it also refers to the chamber inside a mausoleum where the body is stored. Another word for the chamber where the body is stored inside a mausoleum is “mausoleum crypt.” A lawn crypt is an underground or partially underground mausoleum that contains more than one casket, such as several members of one family side by side or above and below.

It’s also important to note that some cemeteries use the term “lawn crypt” to refer to above-ground structures that hold one or more caskets. There are many other different types of crypts. Some of the most common are single crypts that house just one casket, companion for two caskets, and family or Westminster crypts that have enough room for an entire family. Most crypts are dark, dry, and somewhat cold. Single crypts are generally small rectangles just big enough for a casket, while Westminster crypts can be quite large as they need to hold multiple caskets. Usually, one end of the crypt is open to place the casket inside. Modern crypts also often have drains, pipes, and ventilation to prevent bad smells from building up inside the mausoleum.

The world’s first known crypts were used in Italy, Greece, and South Africa to house the bodies of saints, priests, martyrs, and other ancient Christians deemed worthy of entombment within a church as well as religious relics. Perhaps the most famous crypt is the one in St. Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican. Built-in the 4th century, the crypt in St. Peter’s Basilica is believed to house the remains of Saint Peter underneath the floor of the high altar.

Do you want to learn more about crypts or Matthews, NC cemeteries? We are here to help. Please call or visit us today for more information about our services.

How are death and services done at cemeteries in Matthews, NC? What about in the rest of the world? While every culture from across the globe might seem very different at first, they each have three aspects in common when it comes to rituals around death: ceremonies, special places for burial or placement, and some sort of memorial or monument. However, some aspects of our culture might seem strange to others just as aspects of other cultures might seem strange to us.

In Mexico, The Day of the Dead, or el Día de los Muertos, is an annual festival in which people set up altars in their homes featuring photos of their deceased ancestors as well as offerings like food, candles, flowers, and drinks. The idea is that the ancestor photos will summon them from the land of the dead so they can enjoy the offerings and visit with their living family members. Sikhs believe in reincarnation. However, most choose to be cremated when they die. Before cremation, the body is washed and dressed in traditional Sikh attire then placed in a casket while those gathering recite prayers and read scripture from the Guru Granth Sahib. More prayers are recited during the cremation, and afterwards, the remains are either buried in scattered in water. The Malagasy tribe of Madagascar have a tradition called “Famadihana,” which means “the turning of the bones.” Every five or seven years, the people of the tribe will remove the bodies of their deceased loved ones from their graves, wrap them in fresh burial clothes, spritz them with fragrance, and even dance with them. This ritual is viewed as a way to reconnect with the dead and ask them for blessings.

The Nordic people in Northern Europe are very connected to the sea, even in death. They traditionally set bodies adrift on the sea in coffin boats or lay coffins on cliffs facing the water. In the Islamic religion, bodies remain in their caskets until Judgement Day when they will be physically resurrected. Because of this belief, bodies must be buried within twenty-four hours of death to ensure the body is in the best possible condition. In India, the bereaved traditionally dress the deceased in bright colors that represent their best virtues, such as yellow for knowledge and red for purity, and parade them through the streets. Afterward, they sprinkle the bodies with holy water and cremate them.

Whether you’re working on a research project, satisfying curiosity, or preparing for your eventual passing or the passing of a loved one, this information on interesting global funeral and cremation traditions is here to help. These are just a few traditions from around the world, but they offer inspiration for your own planning and inspire tolerance for those who are different from us.

We are also here to help if you want more information on global death rituals or Matthews, NC cemeteries. Call or visit us today to learn more about what we can do for you in your time of loss.

Funeral services and memorials held at cemeteries in Matthews, NC can be very expensive, and if you don’t do some planning right now, you’re going to leave your family and loved ones with a very big bill when you die. However, paying for a funeral isn’t as simple as just putting money aside in a savings account. When someone dies, his or her money is usually frozen for at least a month. So, your family can’t access any money you had in an account for your funeral until long after the funeral is over.

Luckily, there are a few ways to put money aside to pay for your eventual funeral service at a cemetery, such as:

• Payable-on-Death Account – Payable-on-death accounts, or PODs, allow you to set money aside specifically for funeral and other death-related expenses. Your beneficiaries simply have to present a death certificate to the bank in order to obtain the money. They will not have access to the money until after your death.
• Borrowing – Banks also offer loans specifically for funeral expenses. However, as these loans are personal and unsecure, they can get expensive. Interests range usually from 16 to 35 percent on these kinds of loans. Since the FCA recommends that you do not go into debt for a funeral, be sure to only take out a loan you can easily pay back.
• Insurance – Most life insurance policies will pay out a lump sum of money to a beneficiary when you die. This lump sum can go a long way towards paying for your funeral or memorial service. These insurance payments are made almost directly after death so your loved ones can pay for the funeral right away. There are also special insurance policies for death related costs like burials, funerals, cremations and more.
• Veterans Benefits – If you served in the military you may be eligible for veterans’ benefits, including burial and funeral at no cost. The Veterans Administration will pay a burial allowance to your loved ones to cover funeral expenses. Check the VA website to see if you’re eligible.

If you don’t have money to set aside right now, and feel like you won’t later on either, you can plan for low-cost funeral options. There are tons of low-cost options that are just as respectful and honoring as their more expensive relatives. From direct cremations and at-home funerals, or even donating your body to science, there are definitely low-cost options out there. If you do plan to donate your body to a medical school or other institution be sure to enroll in advance.

These are just a few ways you can put aside money for your funeral at a cemetery. If you want to learn more about your funeral payment options or your options for Matthews, NC cemeteries just get in touch with Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Garden. We offer a wide range of services and can give you the guidance you need in your time of loss. Please call or visit us today.

There is no shortage of funeral homes and cemeteries in Matthews, NC to look at for a final resting place for your loved one, and picking the right one is a key decision. The best way to narrow down your search is to know what you’re looking for – and how to determine if a cemetery has these good qualities. In this article, we’ll look at the five key qualities of every good cemetery, and how Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Gardens clears the bar.

Affordability and Flexibility

Finding the right funeral plot is tricky, especially if you’re on a budget and want a suitable memorial without breaking the bank. The best cemeteries have a variety of plots and headstone/marker options that open their doors to everyone, even those who have more modest means. We’re happy to work with anyone who wants to lay their loved one to rest with us, and we’re committed to finding a plan that works for your budget.

Maintenance and Attractiveness

A cemetery is a massive space dotted with meaningful memorials, and keeping that looking spotless is a tricky job. The best way to get an idea of a cemetery’s standards is to take a walk among their peaceful grounds and look at how it’s maintained. Our team of committed groundskeepers will ensure that your loved one’s memorial looks as polished and beautiful years from now as the day it’s installed.

Peace and Quiet

Our team knows that when you visit your loved one’s final resting place, you want to be able to pay tribute and reflect in peace. Too many cemeteries are crowded, trying to get as many people in at the same time and resulting in crowded grounds of mourners jockeying for space. We’ve planned the Gethsemane grounds so that you’ll have the privacy you need to gather those closest to your loved one for an intimate remembrance.

Security

One of the most important duties of any cemetery is to ensure that headstones and anything left at the gravesite are preserved safely. That’s why we employ an extensive but unobtrusive security team to ensure any vandals are quickly deterred. Our grounds are secure when closed, and when open we’re ready to talk to any clients about our security efforts and how we can ensure your loved one’s resting place is protected.

Our Commitment to Families

We understand that families may have different preferences when it comes to honoring their loved ones. Our team is always available to answer questions and provide guidance about the services available through our cemetery and within the community. We remain dedicated to helping every family find arrangements that reflect their values and wishes, while offering compassionate support throughout the process.

Are you looking for Matthews, NC cemeteries that offer you the security, peace, and flexibility you need? Gethsemane Cemetery and Memorial Gardens can help, so set up a consultation by visiting us at our offices at 1504 W Sugar Creek Road, Charlotte, NC 28262, only fifteen miles from Matthews, or contact us on our website or by phone at (704) 596-5417.