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In theory if tombstones are to last forever, the whole world would eventually become graveyards.
by MiddleEndian 8y ago
In theory if tombstones are to last forever, the whole world would eventually become graveyards.
- hannasanarion 8y agoPermanent individual graves is a modern anglosphere thing. In Europe, grave plots are normally rented, and if the family stops paying, the remains are moved to a mass grave or cremated and the plot is re-used.
- ryacko 8y ago“cemetery associations often are required to establish and fund perpetual or maintenance trust funds” Graveyards are hardly subsidized, they are for-profit businesses, and even if they run out of space, could survive through two major depressions before bankruptcy.
- Alex3917 8y ago> Graveyards are hardly subsidized How much in land taxes do they pay?
- alexis_fr 8y ago“Permanent” tombstones are often limited to 30 years. It’s probable I will lay in my grand parents cemetery, but probably not alongside them.
- docbrown 8y agoIf there’s a 30 year limit, why are tombstones that are >30yrs still standing in most cases? One of the oldest cemeteries in my town has dates going as far back as mid-1800s and I don’t think they go through periodically and dig bodies up.
- pwagland 8y agoIt depends very much on which country you are from. US/UK seem to have burial plots forever. Many European countries have a rental/lease system where you get the plot for 30-50 years, and that can be extended if wanted by the family/estate/descendants, or the plot is re-used.
- qbrass 8y agoThey won't bother unless they start running out of space.
- ars 8y agoI ran those numbers: 51.08 million square miles / (4 ft * 8 ft) = 44.5 trillion. Estimates are for 100 billion humans have ever lived, plus (currently) 255 human births per minute (and falling) = 331,017 years
- MiddleEndian 8y agoWell hopefully we're space faring by then!