Are cemeteries a waste of space?

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   andrew savageposted 12 years ago

   Are cemeteries a waste of space?
   
   Just the other day I was passing by a cemetery and could not help but feel that I was staring at wasted space. I thought of other good uses that cemetery grounds should be used for such as recreational parks, small wildlife reserves, camp grounds, community gardens or farms, etcetera. Personally, I desire to have my body cremated and spread in the Atlantic or high in the mountains nearby; however I do recognize that others have their own desires. What if our society began using the land for a better cause other than preserving the dead, and moved the coffins into deep mausoleums?
   
   

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   ThompsonPenposted 12 years ago

   I would say that if cemeteries are a waste of space then so are parks. I know several people, myself included, that have no one buried there, but still enjoy walking through them. They're like being at a park with the "in memory of" benches. You can see who lived in the past, and piece together bits of the areas past. Where as part of me thinking that cemeteries should be more eco-friendly in the coffin department (they have some really amazing bio degradable urns that you can put seeds in so they grow flowers or trees).
   I think it is important to have a place to honor the dead. I think that these days cemeteries are becoming a little outdated though, as I find many people opting for cremation instead of a tombstone. But I think they're historic, and definitely a park. And let's face it, they're beautiful this time of year too!

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   lburmasterposted 12 years ago

   Honestly, I don't think they are a waste of space. However, that's because I view cementaries from a more religious perspective. If we had no preservation of the dead, the land would be used for homes, farm land, businesses, etc. Even so, I like the idea of mausoleums. The dead would be more compact, less costs for the space possibly, etc.

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      andrew savageposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Do you think that mausoleums with parks look more aesthetically pleasing than open fields of buried human remains? Also do you think that after the caskets are completely reassimilated into nature that future civilizations would seem shocked and star

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      lburmasterposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Sometimes open fields of buried human remains is better such as at Normandy. It's more emotional. That would depend on the future generations. If they are like Spock, then they will think it a waste. If they are human, they will be fine with it.

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   wmhoward4posted 12 years ago

   Cemeteries are actually much of what you said. They are open space as buildings cannot be placed on them. To many, they are like nice parks to visit and reflect. Wildlife around them are fairly undisturbed. I have seen a few that are home to ducks and geese in their ponds, squirrels in the trees, and rabbits feel at home as well. Sometimes research is done at cemeteries for historical value.
   
   In the Spring, one can see the new life of the year sprouting all about while a marker on the ground takes us from the beginning to the end.

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   Attikosposted 12 years ago

   Cemeteries provide family and friends with deeply meaningful places for remembrance and reflection. They serve a religious function for many people, something deep inside the human mind that needs to remain connected to forebears. Yes, they also serve as quiet parks, but that is a side benefit.
   
   Those who do not want to use them are free to do as they like. We are hardly so impoverished, however, that we have a compelling economic need to violate the preferences and peace of mind of others who do. There is no better use for that land. Leave it alone.

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   whonunuwhoposted 12 years ago

   Cemeteries are more for the living than the deceased. It is a residence for memories more than a residing place for withered bodies. It is a place to honor and preserve the memories of a life well lived. It is a place where the living may visit the dead and beloved in family.

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   cat on a soapboxposted 12 years ago

   As a claustrophobic person, the idea of being buried for eternity makes my skin crawl-lol.  That said, no, I don't think cemetaries are a waste of space.  .Cemetaries are usually beautifully landscaped w/  trees, birds, and wildlife. There are places to sit and meditate away from city noise. There are also often displays of art and sculpture.
   If you had asked me about palacial homes on private property, I would have said, "yes!" Now, there's a waste of space in the name of vanity!

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   Garifaliaposted 12 years ago

   You have a valid point about space, but even before forming clans humans have always been connected to their deceased. Being cremated is a solution, but it must be a choice not something forced on people. For myself it makes no difference (for now anyway), but to others it is unthinkable. It is unfortunate that you think of cemetaries as wasted space since the bones of loved ones are there. In most countries they are sacred. Because space in Greece is limited in cities, after 3 years (when there are only the bones left from the deceased), the families are obliged to open the grave and place the bones (which now take up less space) into special boxes which they either reburry elsewhere (a village cemetary perhaps) or are kept there in special mausoleums.

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      andrew savageposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Very interesting. While the grounds for the dead do serve as a place of remembrance, so do the homes and places that they once walked during corporeal animation. If Greece is conducting such a policy to continue removing and shuffling the remains of

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      Garifaliaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Dear friend,
      your comment was cut short due to lack of word space. Please finish it.

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   tussinposted 12 years ago

   I agree with the sentiment that cemeteries are like parks.  The nice thing is that people are so superstitious, it's unlikely a developer would ever want to buy the land to build a shopping center or something like that.  Enjoy your local cemeteries!

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    edhanposted 12 years ago

    In olden days, cemetery location for burial can means a lot to future generation especially for those past Emperors where their burials are seen by Feng Shui masters. This is to tap the correct Qi energy of the dead in order to benefit the living generations.
    
    If you do not believe then it has no meaning but just a space of burial. But in terms of Feng Shui, it does make a difference for the location and direction of its facing.

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       andrew savageposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Interesting. Were the Feng Shui masters buried in closed caskets or casket free in cloths? Were there any unique specifications of such masters like that of today or Egyptian mummification, etc?

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    Deb Welchposted 12 years ago

    I had written a Hub on this Topic: What's Underground 
    Yes - Cremation is the way to go eventually when we run out space for our growing population.  I thought using the parks in more beautiful ways such as; Meditation Paths,Internet Blogs w/help websites, benchs,fountains, flower gardens,lovely music,butterfly conservatory,coffee/gift shop/,a Chapel - etc. Good question.

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       andrew savageposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I agree with cremation and your idea of how to use the parks. Do you think that creating massive mausoleums would suffice as the most optimal way to bury- entomb- the dead who wish to have their remains preserved to some extent? I feel that moving th

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    IDONOposted 12 years ago

    No. Just think. A million years from now, we may all be diamonds. Or keep cemeteries, but get rid of caskets, vaults and embalming. We would make great compost.
         In all seriousness, we should all be donors of some sort. Whether it be for organs, research, or to become piano keys, we can be of some use to mankind. Lord knows there are many that aren't while they are alive.
         Actually, what's the difference? Our religious views, memories, and legacies are not contained by a bag of bones or an urn of ashes. They are spiritual which is not disposable like our bodies or buried in abox somewhere.
         It's a big ocean. Use it.

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       andrew savageposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       I somewhat agree with you in terms of the first paragraph, however I must remind everyone that I do not believe in compulsory revoking the rite to be buried within a casket, tomb or vault, as such an idea may hinder the marketing system of the burial

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