Although headstones today are generally placed at the head of the grave because of tradition, there are no specific restrictions that require a marker to be placed specifically at the head or at the foot of a grave.
Are headstones placed at the head or feet?
As implied by the name, a headstone is usually placed at the head of a grave to both identify and memorialize a person. This approach has roots in Christian tradition, where a marker would be set with the head of the deceased to the west while their feet pointed east.
How are headstones positioned?
Headstones will be placed at the head of the grave and centered . Headstones will be placed in a straight line with the headstones to the left and right of the grave. The cemetery caretaker will place 3 stakes on each grave where a headstone is to be set. ... The headstone will be centered on the 2 burial plots.
How are headstones installed?
Add one to two inches on all sides to ensure your headstone fits. Using your shovel, excavate the sand and reserve to the side. Dig deep enough to accommodate the thickness of your grass marker. With the help of two or three others, install your marker carefully and inspect whether it lies perfectly flat.
Which way does a gravestone face?
Tombstones in traditional Western cemeteries usually face east . According to Northumberland County Council, the tradition began when Pagans buried the dead so they would face the rising sun. The tradition continued in Judeo-Christian societies.
Is it disrespectful to walk on a grave?
Touching monuments or headstones is extremely disrespectful and in some cases, may cause damage. ... Be sure to walk in between the headstones, and don’t stand on top of a burial place. Be respectful of other mourners.
Do graves get dug up after 100 years?
By the time a body has been buried for 100 years , very little of what we recognize as the “body” is left. According to Business Insider, you can’t even count on your bones being intact by year 80. After the collagen inside them breaks down completely, bones essentially become fragile, mineralized husks.
Can you install a headstone yourself?
Yes , you can put your own headstone on a grave in almost areas in The States. The major factor if you are allowed to put and/or make your own headstone, would be the cemetery that you choose. Some cemeteries will allow any type of headstone, many don’t for aesthetics.
How long does it take to install a tombstone?
Typically, it takes at least three or four weeks for the installer to completely create the headstone or grave marker and to place it upon the top of the grave. In some instances, the ground will need to settle before placing the headstone, depending on the climate, the time of year, and the weather.
How deep is a foundation for a headstone?
All monuments and markers shall have a minimum grass border of four inches in width. Markers, including slants markers, up to twenty-four (24) inches long, shall have a foundation depth of twenty-four (24) inches. Markers over twenty-four (24) inches long shall have a foundation depth of thirty (30) inches.
Is it disrespectful to take pictures in a graveyard?
As a way of respect, you should not take anything from the grave or leave anything behind that was not originally there. There are people who wish to hire photographers to take photos during funerals. ... Also, just avoid using flash because it can distract mourners and even the funeral presider.
Why are people buried 6 feet under?
(WYTV) – Why do we bury bodies six feet under? The six feet under rule for burial may have come from a plague in London in 1665 . The Lord Mayor of London ordered all the “graves shall be at least six-foot deep.” ... Gravesites reaching six feet helped prevent farmers from accidentally plowing up bodies.
Why do you bury facing east?
Most Christians tend to bury their dead facing east. This is because they believe in the second coming of Christ and scripture teaches that he will come from the east . In this manner, they place their dead in a position so they can meet Christ face-to-face during his second coming.
Why put a penny on a headstone?
A coin left on a headstone lets the deceased soldier’s family know that somebody stopped by to pay their respects. If you leave a penny, it means you visited. A nickel means that you and the deceased soldier trained at boot camp together.
Why is it bad to point at a cemetery?
Even pointing at a grave could bring bad luck . Given the proliferation of photos of graveyards, that means a lot of people have been willingly courting bad luck! According to one website, collecting epitaphs means the collector will lose their memory.
Is it disrespectful to clean gravestones?
Cleaning gravestones with bleach is never a good idea, Church said, but it’s especially bad when you’re working on porous stone. ... Both products kill mold, moss, algae and mildew and have been well-tested to make sure they don’t harm the full range of stones used as grave markers.
