Beyond the Grave (1.20) (2024)

FAQs

Why are headstones at the feet? ›

Footstone grave markers identify the lower boundary of the gravesite, the way the headstone marks the upper border. This helps visitors avoid walking across the grave, which is deemed disrespectful or bad luck.

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. Obey these rules.

Those families who could afford it built the metal cages or placed large stones over the graves of their loved ones. This helped to preserve the grave and deter grave robbers. (A lot of these examples of cages and devices are found near Scottish medical schools--go figure).

Most cemeteries and councils will typically advise that it takes at least 6-12 months for a grave to settle. As a result, you will usually be asked to wait a minimum of 6-12 months before putting a headstone on a grave – though some may state that you should wait beyond 12 months.

One theory is that long ago husbands decided their wives belonged on their left side, the side closest to their heart. Other theories hold this placement is a reflection of a couple's wedding day.

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. A quarter is very significant because it means that you were there when that veteran died.

Avoid Stepping on Graves: Many people believe it is disrespectful and bad luck to step on a grave, as it might disturb the spirits resting there.

Cemeteries provide a safe, serene place to express that sadness. You can always cry at a grave site. You can also sit in silent contemplation or prayer and let your heart be at peace for a bit. When you're feeling a whirlwind of emotions after a loss, having a place where you can be a mess can be a tremendous relief.

And if we search the Bible for guidance on the practice of attempting to speak with the dead, it's not hard to find out that God absolutely forbids it.

Glass caskets ensure that the deceased's remains can be viewed from all angles, and offer a modern, aesthetic look.

Why do they put coffins in a box? ›

Cemeteries want a casket placed in an outer burial container or burial vault to prevent the ground from sinking in above the casket. Without the use of an outer burial container or burial vault, cemeteries would require constant maintenance to keep the ground level.

Also around this time, the molecular structures that hold your cells together break away, so your tissues collapse into a watery mush. And in a little over a year, your cotton clothes disintegrate, as acidic body fluids and toxins break them down. Only the nylon seams and waistband survive.

An ancient practice of burying dead people six feet underground may have helped mask the odor of decay from predators. Similarly, random disturbances, such as plowing, would be unable to reach a person buried six feet underneath. Preventing the Spread of Disease was another major reason.

If you are looking at a long-lasting ground casket, pick a steel or metal casket. If the grave site is low on water content or moisture, metal caskets are known to last even longer, over five decades. Under favorable weather conditions, experts say that metal caskets may even last more than that – up to 80 years.

Wooden coffins (or caskets) decompose, and often the weight of earth on top of the coffin, or the passage of heavy cemetery maintenance equipment over it, can cause the casket to collapse and the soil above it to settle.

A headstone is typically placed at the head of a grave–it can be inscribed with the name of the person who died, other important information, and even a special message from the family.

An ancient practice of burying dead people six feet underground may have helped mask the odor of decay from predators. Similarly, random disturbances, such as plowing, would be unable to reach a person buried six feet underneath. Preventing the Spread of Disease was another major reason.

Some of the people were buried with wooden buckets at their feet, which may have been part of funerary rituals. Other sites that have buckets within burials have been found in the region.

It is important to remember that, when carrying a coffin or casket, the person inside is always carried feet first – the only exception is a vicar, who is carried head first to face their congregation. Coffins are carried feet first simply because of health and safety, rather than any kind of ceremonial tradition.