In a cemetery, avoid loud noises, littering, vandalism, and walking on graves; treat all monuments with respect by not climbing or leaning on them, and give grieving families privacy by not taking their photos or approaching them unless invited, ensuring you follow all specific cemetery rules, like hours and decoration policies, to maintain a peaceful and respectful environment for remembrance.
Cemetery Etiquette
Penny: A penny left on a gravestone signifies that someone visited to pay their respects. 2. Nickel: A nickel indicates that the visitor and the deceased trained together in boot camp or basic training. 3. Dime: A dime represents that the visitor served with the deceased.
Respect the Graves
Don't touch any monuments or headstones; this is not only disrespectful, but may cause damage to the memorials, especially older ones. Never remove anything from a gravestone, such as flowers, coins, or tributes that have been left by family.
If you're going further afield, always wear long pants. They'll protect you from bugs, thorns, and poison oak or ivy. If you expect to meet snakes, wear boots that protect your ankles. If you can, ask the locals about their graveyard before you go.
Symbol of Continuity and Eternity Salt doesn't spoil and has been seen as a symbol of eternity or permanence. Using salt in burial rites can represent the eternal nature of the soul or the continuing bond between the dead and the living.
Out of respect for both the deceased in the cemetery and their loved ones, avoid touching monuments or stepping on graves. Depending on how old the cemetery you're visiting is, some of the monuments may be decades or even centuries old and could be fragile and crumbling.
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Get permission and follow any rules laid down by the property owners. Cemeteries, temples, ruins, etc., are most likely owned and managed by some entity, whether it is a church, local government, historical society, etc. Be sure they are okay with you visiting and doing photography there.
A coin left on a headstone lets the deceased soldier's family know that somebody stopped by to pay their respect. A penny means you visited. A nickel means you and the deceased veteran trained at boot camp together. A dime means you and the deceased veteran served together in some capacity.
First and foremost, profanity or derogatory language should never be engraved on a headstone. This includes any words or phrases that may be considered offensive, vulgar or disrespectful. Using such language not only dishonours the memory of the deceased but can also offend other visitors to the gravesite.
A nickel left at a grave means you trained at boot camp with the deceased serviceperson, while a dime suggests you served with them. Finally, a quarter signifies that you were with the serviceperson when they passed away. It's a loving and practical way to honor fallen comrades and their families throughout the year.
If you've considered asking, “how long do you stay buried in a cemetery?” the answer is typically 100 years or more. Plots are sold for 50 to 100 years, but it's unusual to remove anyone from the burial grounds unless the need for space requires it.
Do their best to not walk over the graves. Common sense leads you to know the basic shape of a grave; walk in between the headstones, and don't stand on top of a burial place. Follow cemetery rules. Most have a sign near the entrance stating hours, rules about decorations, etc.
In many cultures, the number 40 carries profound symbolic meaning. It represents a period of transition, purification, and spiritual transformation. The 40-day period is often seen as a time for the departed's soul to complete its journey to the afterlife, seeking forgiveness, redemption, and peace.
During a funeral, maintaining a respectful atmosphere is of utmost importance. As such, using a cell phone to text or keeping sounds on is considered rude and disruptive. These actions can break the solemn atmosphere of the service — potentially interrupting poignant moments of reflection or eulogies.
In a eulogy, avoid negativity, grudges, inappropriate private jokes, self-centered stories, and details about the cause of death; instead, focus on positive, respectful, and personal memories that honor the deceased, keeping it concise, honest, and centered on their life and legacy, not your own grievances or a chronological list.
They shouldn't walk on the graves, run here and there, laugh loudly, or be disrespectful to other mourners. Similarly, ask them not to leave food or drinks on the headstone. It leaves a bad message and may seem like an act of disrespect to the deceased.
They preserved their deceased rulers and nobles by carefully drying the bodies and interring them in elaborate tombs. The use of salt in these cultures symbolized a deep reverence for the departed and a belief in the continuity of the soul's journey.
Placing stones on headstones serves as a tangible and enduring symbol of remembrance. The simple act of leaving stones on graves signifies that someone has visited the grave, paying respects to the departed. This tradition is particularly meaningful in cultures where the visitation of graves is a common practice.
Natural Changes: After death, the body goes through various natural changes. The lower extremities, particularly the legs and feet, may show signs of swelling or discoloration that are harder to address through embalming. Covering these areas helps maintain a more peaceful appearance.
In many cultures worldwide, people place pennies on graves to show respect for the deceased and symbolize remembrance. The practice originated in the Middle Ages when pennies were placed on the eyes of the deceased to keep them closed.
Before leaving the cemetery, the deceased's loved ones may toss a handful of dirt or soil on the coffin, urn or vault. Put simply, this is to symbolize that the deceased (like all of us) has returned to basic elements we all came from.