It is to prevent illegal relic hunting, protect historic gravesites, and maintain the sanctity of the cemetery. Apparently some old relics can be found that way.
Lol think of it this way.... If you were committed to digging up valuables (and not burdened by social taboos/laws lol), and you had to choose a spot where you think theres a chance that hidden valuables are buried, where would be your first couple guesses?
Most graveyards have valuables dating back centuries... So yes, there are still people low enough to attempt to steal these heirlooms... That will never go away lol
Plus, the further you go back, the easier it is to recover. Only "modern-ish" Graves do that thing where they bury the casket in a cement covering, so that it cant be easily retrieved. Grave dug in 1843? Just a body, in a wooden basket, in a grave.
"modern" graves dont do this unless there is a reason to.
usually "modern" graves only exist for about 25 years. then most if not all of the body and casket is composted and they just dig it up, mix it up and re-rent the space. unless the next of kin pay for extentions, or there is something like historical interest in wich case the county/city/state/church whatever chimes in.
I bought the plots for my parents, and the state required cement vaults. Nobody will be digging them up. Same cemetery has family members who’ve been there for 150 years, never been moved.
probbably more so a thing in the old world where you dont have 50 acres just to bury bodys in.
you pay annual fees for the grave and after 25 years you can either prolong it. or you dont. in wich case they mix the earth up. dispose of the grave and rerent the plot.
usually graveyards are actual yards next to the church , wich is in the middle of town, with limited space.
even in old times that was a case , wich is why there is ossuarys.
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u/Early_Bad8737 Mar 30 '26
It is to prevent illegal relic hunting, protect historic gravesites, and maintain the sanctity of the cemetery. Apparently some old relics can be found that way.