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other ‘papist’ practices, as heretical and idolatrous. Instead, many 17th century New
England towns set aside land as common community burial grounds. Headstone
images from this period also reflect the rejection of formal Christian iconography
(graphics, pictures) in favor of more secular figures, such as skulls representing fate
common to all men.

In areas such as the Middle Atlantic region and the South, settlement patterns tended
to be more dispersed than in New England. Although early towns such as Jamestown
established church cemeteries, eventually burial in churchyards became impractical for
all but those living close to churches. As extensive plantations were established to
facilitate the production of large scale cash crops, such as tobacco, several factors
often made burial in a churchyard problematic: towns were located far apart,
geographically large parishes were often served by only a single church, and
transportation was difficult, the major mode being by ship. The distance of family
plantations from churches necessitated alternative locations for cemeteries, which took
the form of family cemeteries on the plantation grounds. They usually were established
on a high, well-drained point of land, and often were enclosed by a fence or wall.
Although initially dictated by settlement patterns, plantation burials became a tradition
once the precedent was set. Along with the variety of dependencies, agricultural lands,
and other features, family cemeteries help illustrate the degree of self-sufficiency
sustained by many of these plantations.

The Rural Cemetery Movement

After the Civil War, reformers concerned about land conservation and public health
agitated for revival of the practice of incineration and urn burial (cremation). The
cremation movement gathered momentum rapidly around the turn of the century,
particularly on the west coast, and resulted in construction of crematories in many major
cities. Columbarium and community mausoleums were erected in cemeteries to
expand the number of burials that could be accommodated with the least sacrifice of
ground space.

Military Cemeteries

Military cemeteries, created for the burial of war causalities, veterans, and their
dependents are located in nearly every state, as well as in foreign countries, and
constitute an important type of American cemetery. There are over 200 cemeteries
established by the Federal government for the burial of war casualties and veterans.
These include national cemeteries, post cemeteries, soldiers’ lots, Confederate and
Union plots, American cemeteries overseas, and other burial grounds. Many states
also have established veterans’ cemeteries. The majority of veterans, however, likely
are buried in private and community cemeteries, sometimes in separate sections
reserved for veterans.

During the American Revolution, soldiers were buried in existing burial grounds near the
place of battle. One of the earliest types of organized American military cemetery was