If you’ve ever been to a cemetery, you’ve probably wondered why they put fences around graves. This is especially true if you’ve ever visited an old cemetery in a large city, such as New York City. The answer is simple, but also complex.
Wrought iron
Throughout history, wrought iron fences were placed around cemeteries. These fences often served practical purposes, such as preventing wild animals from digging up human remains. They also protected the graves and headstones from unauthorized visitors. People also believed that these fences could ward off evil spirits.
Wrought iron fences around cemeteries are a great way to add beauty and elegance to a cemetery. The metal is durable, strong, and doesn’t require much maintenance. Plus, it can look as if it has been around forever.
During the early 1800s, there were many types of cast iron fencing available. These fences were available in a wide range of motifs. Some were made to enclose a single grave while others were designed to enclose the whole cemetery.
There were two main types of wrought iron fences: the panel fence and the woven wire fence. These two types were the least expensive and the most intricate. However, they were both extremely detailed and were easily damaged.
While wrought iron fences may be very attractive, they’re not always suitable for use in a cemetery. Iron fences are also vulnerable to theft. Because of this, it’s important to make sure they’re secured properly.
In addition, the history of a cemetery can be preserved through the design and construction of its fences. For example, a cemetery’s fence can reveal its location, age, and historical significance.
Several companies manufacture cast iron fencing. One of the oldest and largest manufacturers is the Stewart Iron Works Company. This company began in Covington, Kentucky in 1886. Their operation later moved to Cincinnati, where they closed their doors in 1914.
Today, Stewart Iron Works is under new management. Although the company still uses its original patterns, they produce new iron fencing.
If you’re looking to repair your cemetery’s old fences, it’s a good idea to contact a professional conservator. A trained professional can restore the decorative cast iron fencing. It can also help to identify the problems with your current fence.
Once you have a fence, you can paint it to avoid rust. It’s a good idea to apply a rust converter first and then a primer.
Aluminum
An aluminum fence is a great way to add a touch of class to a grave site. They are rust resistant and durable. This type of fence is also easy to clean.
Depending on the size of your gravesite, you may need to choose a fence that will provide security. Fences also provide a nice barrier to animals. Many cemeteries are unsecured areas, so a fence is a good idea.
A cemetery is a special place, and visitors want to remember the people they have lost. Keeping the area clean and well maintained is crucial. The most common types of fences are cast iron and mild steel.
There are plenty of different options to consider when choosing a fence for your cemetery. You can get an attractive gate to keep your visitors in, or you can opt for a traditional panel.
While wrought iron is the most popular material for cemetery fencing, it requires a lot of maintenance. Besides rusting, mowing and lawn mowers can damage it.
Aluminum is a much better choice. It is durable, rust-resistant, and won’t require repainting to maintain its color.
Another benefit of an aluminum fence is that it doesn’t have an awkward transition between the panel and the surrounding areas. If you are looking for an affordable and practical addition to a gravesite, this is the perfect solution.
In the past, a grave fence was made of wood. Today, however, aluminum is the go-to option. Not only are they aesthetically pleasing, but they can also be customized to your needs.
Other than keeping animals out, a cemetery fence can also protect the gravesite. If it is kept in good condition, you won’t have to worry about the site being vandalized or damaged.
Finally, aluminum gates are easy to maneuver and are available in many styles and sizes. Choosing the best style for your needs is important.
With an aluminum fence, you can choose between a traditional look and modern appeal. You can have it customized to your specifications, or it can be ordered online and delivered to your property.
Mortsafes
Putting fences around graves is a common deterrent to vandals and body snatchers. It offers an added layer of security for those who have died, but it also can be expensive and a hassle to maintain.
When a cemetery became a target of body snatchers, people began installing cages and fences to prevent vandals from stealing a body. During the early 1800s, these devices were known as mortsafes. They were constructed from iron or stone. These devices could be rented and used for up to six weeks after a person’s death.
The first mortsafes appeared in 1816, but their popularity only really grew in the 1840s. These iron-and-stone devices were designed to keep people from raising the dead. Originally, they were only affixed to a coffin, but more elaborate versions were created.
Mortsafes were sold to individuals and families, and many were privately commissioned. Some of these mortsafes are still standing today. Other ones were broken up and sold as scrap metal during World War II.
Most of these devices were large and heavy. In addition, they required a lot of care. Because they were made from wrought iron, they were vulnerable to rust. Even when a mortsafe was not in use, it would decay over time. A mortsafe could only be removed by two people with a key.
By the mid-1800s, there was a widespread grave robbery problem. Body snatchers were called “Resurrectionists.” Their trade was a lucrative one. Despite being unreligious, these men stole corpses from cemeteries and sold them to anatomy schools. Many were executed and others suffered from exposure and torture.
When the Anatomy Act passed in 1832, it promised to end the scourge of body snatching. However, in 1881, a coffin exploded, and reports of exploding mortsafes emerged.
Eventually, the Mortsafe Society was formed, and the Society purchased mortsafes for parishes. Each parish could purchase two or three mortsafes. Members of the Society paid a subscription of 5s. Depending on the number of mortsafes needed, they might pay the full cost, or they might be able to get them for a discounted rate.
Keeping the spirits of the dead in their graves
For many centuries, people have offered libations to their dead loved ones in an attempt to keep the spirit of the dead in their graves. In fact, libations are a tradition that has spread from Egypt to Africa and Greece. The idea behind this ritual is that the dead can get nourishment and help in their afterlife if the libations are offered. Some of the offerings that people offer include food, drink, and money.
These types of offerings can be elaborate and include houses, cars, refrigerators, and servants. They are placed on the graves throughout the year in the United States and Canada. People also put flowers on the graves of their deceased on Memorial Day, All Souls’ Day, and Samhain. There are even communities that go through the night in the cemetery, talk to the departed, and offer libations.
Some people believe that the souls of the dead are reincarnated, and that they can return to their former lives. However, other religious groups consider veneration of the dead to be idolatrously wrong. This practice is rooted in the belief that the dead continue to influence and affect the living. It is a type of religion based on love and respect for the dead.
In the ancient world, the deceased were buried near their families’ homes. Tombs were carefully constructed and decorated. A few of the offerings that were made for the dead included wine, incense, grain, and flowers. Archaeological evidence shows that some of these items were burned to provide sustenance to the dead.
While it is important to provide for the dead, it is also important to recognize that the spirits of the dead do not live. They are not in heaven, and they have no memory. As such, they have no knowledge or wisdom. Ultimately, if you believe that the dead are alive, it is not only a matter of misguided faith, but it is also a symptom of the Devil’s power. Believing that the dead are alive gives the Devil an advantage over you, as it creates confusion over the reality of death.
