

Vandalism often removes headstones, and wooden crosses used by less wealthy families do not survive to mark a graves location. When development is proposed near a cemetery, studies must be conducted to verify the extents of the cemetery boundaries. In order to preserve these cues to the past, and respect the last resting place of our ancestors, County regulations do not allow cemeteries to be moved from their original location. These cemeteries represent the resting place of those who made Anne Arundel County the place it is today. Small family cemeteries hold an important place in the fabric of our communities, and the names found on the headstones are often found as the names to nearby roads or geographic features. Unfortunately, unchecked development and vandalism has destroyed above ground traces of these important cultural resources. These cemeteries are located in close proximity to older homes. Up until the 20th century, it was common to establish a small family cemetery on private land to bury your loved ones. Image Courtesy:, hollywoodcemetery.Anne Arundel County preserves cemeteries in place. Reference: Oxford Dictionaries ( Graveyard and Cemetery), Wikipedia, QuickAndDirtyTips Located next to the church as part of the churchyard

May or may not have any direct association with a church


Usually located next to and in association with a church Late Middle English: via late Latin from Greek koimētērion ‘dormitory’, from koiman ‘put to sleep’. The term cemetery tends to be more commonly used than graveyard, primarily because today cemeteries are more common than graveyards.Ĭomparison between Graveyard and Cemetery:Ī burial ground, especially one beside a church.Ī large burial ground, especially one not in a churchyard.Ī place where people are buried after death However, while there used to a clear distinction between the two words, today the terms are often used interchangeably. A cemetery can be small enough to hold only a few graves, or large enough to cover acres of land. A cemetery does not have this limitation. Whereas, a cemetery is independent of the church and may be located far away from a church.Īdditionally, a cemetery is often much larger in size than a graveyard, as the land allotted to the church was often limited, hence the graveyard would often be restricted in size to the land plot of the church. The primary differences between a Graveyard and Cemetery is the fact that a graveyard is located right next to a church and if often associated with that church. Due to which, even people who are not religious or do not attend church regularly can still be buried in a cemetery after their death. Hence, like a graveyard, a cemetery also has graves, however unlike a graveyard, it is not often located next to or is associated with a church. This land was often the yard of a church basically it was located next to the church and was often associated with the church.Ī cemetery, on the other hand, is similar to a graveyard, especially in the sense that it is a place where people are buried after their death. yard where the graves where often located. Hence, as these words suggest, the term had been primarily used to refer to a piece of land, i.e. The term is an amalgamation of two words ‘grave’ and ‘yard’. The term graveyard dates back to the 17 th century. Both refer to places where people are buried after their death. The terms graveyard and cemetery are often used interchangeably. Whereas, a cemetery is independent of the church and may be located far away from a church. Key difference: The primary difference between a Graveyard and Cemetery is the fact that a graveyard is located right next to a church and if often associated with that church.
