Are old graves (remains) dug up to make more space for new coffins and grave stones?

Question

How is there enough space for all the people that die? Do the old remains just sink down and are new coffins placed on top?

Answer 1

my god i hope not!

Answer 2

Okay, I would like to give that logical answer! No, in the USA, grave spaces are NEVER reused, you most certainly are NOT dug up and cremated (that would be cause for a HUGE lawsuit) and no, they never bury someone else in your grave after 100 years!! People should refrain from answering questions when they don't know what they are talking about! Graves are considered sacred, and once you're buried in that spot, it's yours for quite a while. There is enough land in the USA that every person on the Earth could be buried in a space the size of Rhode Island! Hope this helps!

Answer 3

I'm not sure were you live. In Britain this is a serious problem and cemeteries are running out of space. There is a desire to 'recycle' grave sites after a certain number of years, but the laws have not been amended in many, many years and presently one cannot re-use gravesites. It is a sensitive and unpleasant subject, which is why those who wish to change the law have not made much progress. In larger countries it is not such a problem.

Answer 4

I think this might be the case in certain small graveyards. The small village church-yard where my Grandad is buried has only guaranteed the plot for 100 years. You can see the old headstones stacked-up like dominoes by the side wall. Even worse, there's another local church where they've taken the headstones down and are using the site as a car-park! Some of the headstones they've laid as a pathway!!! How sick is that!!!!!

Answer 5

No, there is space for them because they only get like a 8x 10 foot square. Most states have laws against the disturbance of old graves. Even unmarked one's in some cases. I have heard of the state moving graves in a case of it was thier land and thier building though.

Answer 6

A cemetery which is running out of space is leasing out graves to be used again.

The 1,000 plots which are being rented out still contain the remains of the first occupants, who died more than 75 years ago.

For £3,000, a family can 'adopt' one of the traditional-style graves and Victorian monuments for 50 years.

They can even have the name of whoever is buried there scrubbed from the headstone, obelisk or cross then have it replaced with an inscription of their choice.

The scheme, which is the first in the country, is being advertised by the City of London cemetery in Manor Park, East London, as a solution to burial space shortages.

Answer 7

That is a really good question! Unfortunatley nobody seems to be giving logical answers! If you have one family that has owned the same sematary for generations, then where do they put everyone? Ya know meaning dead generation after another. They only own so much land and you can only dig so deep into the earth! So WOW!!! That is a question that is going to bug the hell out of me!!! If I could give you 10 points I'd take them out of my own! I gotta get a logical answer to this!

Answer 8

As the population grows and moer land become unavailable for graves we will have to re-think our strategy, the two most obvious solutions are.

Old graves may be reused

Cremation may be compulsary, and is the better solution
(although causes smoke pollution)




Burial at sea is also possible, and probably the best solution

Answer 9

The plots are used by families, so dad goes on top of gran etc.
Every once in a while the local council will need more space so they will expand. Relatives are given a cerain period of time to take ownership of a plot, as it is only ever leased not bought for eternity.
If noone comes forward then the plot is reused

Answer 10

Sure! My family plot has enough room for 4 full size coffins or a couple of coffins and multiple cremation urns....depends on where you live...or die...you'd have to check with the cemetery office to see how the plots are offered...

Answer 11

yer my day is dandy, you?yay a point out! :3 hmm gorillaz - experience stable . its that creepy snigger on the begginning. you men could make a nighttime of it. it is going to likely be ill and twisted yet thats what i decide for. >: D there will be a buffet of screws, bolts, nails and for seats there'd be grave stones. each and every R+P reg is invited, to snigger at me as you all placed on my coffin lid and burry me 6 feet under the floor > : D cant guarentee i wont drop you bro :/ BQ: i hate fish. icky. BQ2: kinda i assume, dont relatively comprehend tbh *yeah, i assume you forgot scumbag steve is immortal, you gotta cater for each man or woman at here pat :/ dont pass over him out :/