People often leave tributes to remember their loved ones, and the cemetery staff has been instructed not to remove anything. Is it disrespectful to walk on graves? Yes, it is disrespectful. Always walk between the headstones and avoid standing on top of a gravesite.
Lots of cemeteries have in-ground grave markers instead of headstones, and when walking through the grass you should ALWAYS be cautious of where you step. If you do accidentally step over someone's burial site, apologize, and leave them a gift if you have one. If there are paths, try to stick to them!
He describes cemeteries as “semi-public spaces,” akin to shopping malls, where folks go “mall walking.” In the same way, “it's perfectly fine for runners to use privately owned cemeteries for walking or running, so long as they do so in a respectful fashion,” says Eggener.
Today the tradition of placing stones at a gravesite is more commonly associated with Judaism, though this is not the only religion that shares this custom. Placing a stone or pebble on the headstone of a deceased loved one, is an indication that you have visited.
To Protect the Corpse from Being Stolen. Snatching dead bodies was common in many parts of England and Scotland in the early 1800s. Therefore, graves were always dug six feet deep to prevent body snatchers from gaining access to the buried remains.
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.
Don't sit or lean on the headstones, grave markers, or other memorials. It's not very respectful. If you're planning on being there a long time, bring a little travel chair.
The sea shall take them home.
Loose shells placed on a tombstone or dropped on the ground around it are also a visible reminder that the person buried below continues to be remembered and honored by those still living."
Nevertheless, it is best to contact the cemetery to make sure that it is allowed and is within the policies of the area. Some headstones are too fragile and might end up breaking or cracking due to rubbing. This is why the practice is forbidden in many cemeteries with older gravestones.
When soil is replaced into a grave, it will inevitably contain more air pockets than the compacted soil before excavation. Over time, a backfilled grave will 'sink' as the air pockets escape and the soil settles; this is absolutely natural and practically unavoidable, especially in wet weather.
Myth: Don't Point At Graveyards
Pointing at a cemetery falls into that category. While it is considered rude to point at anyone, gesturing towards a tombstone or cemetery won't invite ghosts into your body.
You probably need permission from the owners or managers of the cemetery grounds. Most cemeteries are the private property of a house of worship or a mortuary, so without permission you would be trespassing.
Never take photos of strangers at a funeral or visiting a gravesite; it is extremely disrespectful to them in their time of grief. Respect their privacy and give them their space. Is it disrespectful to take pictures of graves?
White is often the traditional color chosen for funeral flowers. White roses signify purity, innocence, honor and peace. If the person who has passed on was an elderly and well-respected person in your community, this may be an appropriate choice of flowers to take along to the ceremony.
Over time, however, the soil will settle, and the pockets of air will gradually be removed. This will result in a denser soil – and the surface of the grave will appear to have dropped. The technical term for this change is grave subsidence, but it is often referred to as grave sinking.
To Symbolize Their Visit
Many people leave stones on a loved one's grave or memorial to mark their visit. The symbol of the stone can bring comfort to family and friends, letting them know their loved one has been visited, grieved and prayed for by others, too.
Grave markers are simple, because outwardly lavish displays are discouraged in Islam. Graves are frequently marked only with a simple wreath, if at all. However, it is becoming more common for family members to erect grave monuments.
When seen on a cemetery headstone or gravemarker, two clasped hands on the same level with matching cuffs typically represent: A farewell/goodbye to earthly life. The continuity/unity of life and death as a human condition. A greeting/welcome to eternal life.
The practice of leaving flowers at graves began thousands of years ago when the ancient Greeks would honor fallen warriors. They believed that if the flowers rooted into the ground and grew from the gravesite, it was a sign that the fallen had found peace.
One of the hardest parts of burial is saying goodbye to your loved one for the final time. Throwing dirt on the grave is a visual symbol of this goodbye, and it's a final offering to the loved one. By leading the burial effort with the initial throws of dirt, the family takes a step closer to closure.
You might have witnessed the custom of people throwing dirt on a casket at a funeral. This tradition is a symbol of the deceased's return to nature and the cycle of life. People participate in this ritual to pay respect and bid a final goodbye to their loved one.
If the ground is light, dry soil, decomposition is quicker. Generally speaking, a body takes 10 or 15 years to decompose to a skeleton. Some of the old Victorian graves hold families of up to eight people. As those coffins decompose, the remains will gradually sink to the bottom of the grave and merge.
Finally, never use household soap, dishwashing liquid, detergent, wax or any other cleaning product when cleaning a headstone, gravemarker or monument, regardless of how safe or gentle it claims to be on various surfaces. (This includes biodegradable and/or all-natural/organic products.)
In Islam, the purpose of visiting graves is to reflect and remind ourselves of death, as well as life in the Barzakh. Additionally, it is also a way to commemorate the owner of the grave and remember their good deeds and traits.