Cemetery Preservation: How A Historic Cemetery Is Preserved
Have you heard of cemetery preservation? With amazing architecture, cultural sites, and landscapes across the country, it can be easy to forget some of our less-visited historic places, like cemeteries. Even so, these places are important to everyday life and culture, and what is more, they are present in almost every community.
Tips for Historic Cemetery Preservation
Here are some tips for historic cemetery preservation.
Determine and coordinate with the congregation, property owners, or government agency responsible for the land:
Cemeteries may be associated with a religious organization located on private property (which the descendants of those buried there may still own) or under the control of a state or local government. In any case, it is essential to coordinate with the site owners from the beginning.
Start a support group:
A specialized historic cemetery preservation company and some volunteers can work as a neutral party to plan the cemetery’s preservation and maintenance.
Arrange for training and technical assistance:
Having cemetery preservation professionals with the necessary skills, such as surveying and documenting, cleaning and resetting stones, can be a critical cost-saving measure in a restoration process.
Consider future uses:
Before moving on to the physical restoration process, it is important to think about the level of future visits to the cemetery. Are you in an urban area, and are you likely to have a lot of traffic? Or is it more rural and therefore less likely to have a lot of people wandering around? When planning, if you expect more intense visits, keep that impact in mind.
Prioritize!
Loose or unbalanced markers can pose a safety hazard to workers and visitors. Put stabilization at the top of your priority list. It also fixes any potentially dangerous landscape issues, such as unstable surfaces or crumbling retaining walls. Once the security issues are resolved, move on to arrangements like iron and stone.
Develop a maintenance plan:
Cemeteries require considerable ongoing maintenance after initial restoration. Routine landscaping work can be handled by a specialized company but must do so in a way that does not damage or disturb the grave markers. Additionally, all stones should be periodically inspected for wear and carefully cleaned of dirt.
Make It Interesting For Visitors:
A few amenities, such as garbage cans and informational signs, can go a long way in welcoming you to a historic cemetery. Additionally, visitor activities such as guided tours can draw attention to restoration work.
Why Cemeteries Are Important
Many people view cemeteries as scary places, but this isn’t the fact. Cemeteries bring families together and offer us a vision of local history. So why are cemeteries important for people?
A place of historical importance
Cemeteries have a historical connection in bringing residents closer to accepting the past and help provide evidence about how people lived in the area. By looking at the tombstones and reading details about those who have left, we can gain data about the people. That is why cemetery preservation, particularly Historic Cemetery Preservation is very important.
A connection between families
Cemeteries can also hold deep meaning for families with loved ones buried in the area. Local cemeteries can help provide a relaxing space for families struggling with grief while remembering loved ones. It is a personal process that can have many psychological benefits for those who have suffered a recent death in their family.
A memorial place
Cemeteries act as a memorial site. They can become hosts of events and rituals for families and post-funeral events. This allows the family to provide their loved ones with a respectful and dignified burial.
An escape from hectic everyday life
Cemeteries are a serene place of remembrance. It is a quiet place to sit quietly and remember. It is a common belief that cemeteries are scary, but this paradigm must be broken, as it is where our loved ones rest and commemorate their lives in this world. Therefore, Cemetery Preservation is important to preserve the history that rests there.
