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Grave (burial)

 
Grave (burial)

 
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Grave (burial)
 
 
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A grave is a place where a dead body (usually a human, although sometimes an animal) is buried
Burial

Burial, also called interment and inhumation, is the act of placing a person or object into the ground. This is accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing an object in it, and covering it over....
. The grave is usually in a graveyard or cemetery
Cemetery

A cemetery is a place in which death body and cremation are burial. The term cemetery implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground....
.

Graves may contain objects that provide clues for archaeologists
Archaeology

Archaeology, archeology, or arch?ology is the science that studies Homo cultures through the recovery, documentation, analysis, and interpretation of material remains and environmental data, including architecture, Artifact , features, Biofact s, and cultural landscape....
 about the life and culture
Culture

Culture is difficult to define. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions....
 of the time.

In some religion
Religion

A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of myth, symbols, beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural or transcendence quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power or truth....
s, it is believed that the body must be intact for the soul
Soul

In many religions and parts of philosophy, the soul is the immaterial part of a person. It is usually thought to consist of one's thoughts and Personality psychology, and can be synonymous with the spirit, mind or self....
 to survive; in others, the complete decomposition of the body is important for the rest of the soul (Jewish burial).

parts of a grave are usually:

Grave cut.






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Encyclopedia


A grave is a place where a dead body (usually a human, although sometimes an animal) is buried
Burial

Burial, also called interment and inhumation, is the act of placing a person or object into the ground. This is accomplished by excavating a pit or trench, placing an object in it, and covering it over....
. The grave is usually in a graveyard or cemetery
Cemetery

A cemetery is a place in which death body and cremation are burial. The term cemetery implies that the land is specifically designated as a burying ground....
.

Graves may contain objects that provide clues for archaeologists
Archaeology

Archaeology, archeology, or arch?ology is the science that studies Homo cultures through the recovery, documentation, analysis, and interpretation of material remains and environmental data, including architecture, Artifact , features, Biofact s, and cultural landscape....
 about the life and culture
Culture

Culture is difficult to define. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions....
 of the time.

In some religion
Religion

A religion is an organized approach to human spirituality which usually encompasses a set of myth, symbols, beliefs and practices, often with a supernatural or transcendence quality, that give meaning to the practitioner's experiences of life through reference to a higher power or truth....
s, it is believed that the body must be intact for the soul
Soul

In many religions and parts of philosophy, the soul is the immaterial part of a person. It is usually thought to consist of one's thoughts and Personality psychology, and can be synonymous with the spirit, mind or self....
 to survive; in others, the complete decomposition of the body is important for the rest of the soul (Jewish burial).

Parts of a grave

The parts of a grave are usually:

Grave cut. The excavation that formed the grave. This can vary from a shallow scraping, to removal of topsoil to a depth of 6 feet (1.8 meters), or more where a vault or burial chamber is to be constructed.

Excavated spoil. The material dug up when the grave is excavated. Often piled up close to the grave for backfilling and then returned to the grave to cover it. As soil decompresses when excavated and space is occupied by the burial not all the volume of soil fits back in the hole, so often evidence is found of remaining soil. In cemeteries this may end up as a thick layer of spoil overlying the original ground surface.

Burial or interment. The body may be placed in a coffin or other container, in a wide range of positions, by itself or in a multiple burial, with or without personal possessions of the deceased.

Burial vault
Burial vault (enclosure)

A burial vault is a sturdy box designed to protect the coffin inside of it. The Dead body is placed within the coffin, which is then placed inside the vault....
. A vault is a structure built within the grave to receive the body. It may be used to prevent crushing of the remains, allow for multiple burials such as a family vault, retrieval of remains for transfer to an ossuary
Ossuary

An ossuary is a chest, building, well, or site made to serve as the final resting place of human skeleton remains. They are frequently used where burial space is scarce....
, or because it forms a monument.

Grave backfill. The soil returned to the grave cut following burial. This material may contain artifacts derived from the original excavation and prior site use, deliberately placed goods or artifacts or later material. The fill may be left level with the ground or mounded.

Monument or marker. Headstone
Headstone

A headstone, tombstone, or gravestone is a marker, normally carved from Rock , placed over or next to the site of a burial in a cemetery or elsewhere....
s are best known but they can be supplemented by decorative edging, foot stones, posts to support items, a solid covering or other options.

See also


  • Christian burial
    Christian burial

    A Christian burial is the burial of a deceased person with Ecclesiology rites; typically, in consecrated ground....
  • Crypt
    Crypt

    In terms of European architecture, a crypt is a stone chamber or vault beneath the floor of a church usually used as a chapel or burial vault possibly containing sarcophagus, coffins or relics....
  • Dolmen
    Dolmen

    File:paulnabrone.jpgFile:KilclooneyDolmen1986.jpgA dolmen is a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb, usually consisting of three or more megalith supporting a large flat horizontal capstone ....
  • Eco-Burial
    Eco-cemetery

    The goal of a natural burial is to return the body to the earth in a manner that does not inhibit decomposition and allows the body to biogeochemical cycle naturally....
  • Gravedigger
    Gravedigger

    A gravedigger is a cemetery worker responsible for digging Grave used in the process of burial....
  • Mausoleum
    Mausoleum

    A mausoleum is an external free-standing building constructed as a monument enclosing the interment space or burial chamber of a deceased person or persons....
  • Monumental inscription
    Monumental inscription

    A monumental inscription is an inscription, typically carved in stone, on a Headstone, Commemorative plaque, church monument or other monument....
  • Premature burial
    Premature burial

    Animals and humans may be Burial alive intentionally , voluntarily , accidentally , or unintentionally . Live burial is said to be one of the most widespread of human fears....
  • Tomb
    Tomb

    For the New York prison see The Tombs.A tomb is a repository for the remains of the death. The term generally refers to any structurally enclosed interment space or burial chamber, of varying sizes....
  • Tumulus
    Tumulus

    A tumulus is a mound of Soil and Rock s raised over a Grave or graves. Tumuli are also known as barrows, burial mounds, H?gelgrab or kurgans, and can be found throughout much of the world....
  • War grave
    War grave

    A war grave is a burial place for soldiers or civilians who died during military campaigns or operations. The term does not only apply to Grave : ships sunk during wartime are often considered to be war graves, as are military aircraft that crash into water....