3 
'iHE MODERN CEMETERY. 
The Single Grave Section. 
In the November issue of the Modern Cemetery 
the single grave section of Graceland cemetery, Chica- 
go, Ills., is illustrated in such a way that the reader can 
obtain a very good idea of what that section is, although 
little is said about it in the text. In the December 
number our good friend, Mr. Salway, treats on the 
same subject intelligently and interestingly. Coming 
from such a source it is authority based on long practi 
cal experience, he being not only superintendent of the 
leading cemetery in the United States but president of 
the A. A. C. S. We were glad to hear from him for the 
further reason that he has spoken thoughtfully. It is 
not my purpose to enter into any argument as to the 
best plan for and management of a single grave section, 
but to give a simple statement of the plan we have al 
Forest Hills, for I imagine that we cannot all do alike 
and if we could, I do not believe it would be wise. AVerc 
we starting a new cemetery we might be glad perhaps to 
adopt the plan of one of the places alluded to and con- 
sider ourselves among the fortunates if we succeeded as 
they have. The single graves in Forest Hills are not 
what is frequently known as paupers’ graves; they are 
sold at a fixed price, the parties purchasing them taking 
a receipt in regular form, and so long as the graves are 
occupied by the departed friends of the purchaser or 
his legal heirs, that gives them the right to their use, 
but should the dead be removed to any other cemetery, 
the graves then revert back to the corporation. Should 
the owner buy a lot in the cemetery he is allowed the 
full price paid for the grave or graves, paying for the 
reinterment from the grave to the lot. The advantages 
of such a plan are commendable, as there are a great 
many people who do not want a lot, no matter how 
small, and there are others who want only three or four 
graven, whose limited means will not allow them to pur- 
chase even a small lot, with perpetual care. These 
graves are all well kept. Wishing to make myself clear- 
ly understood, the accompanying diagram will illustrate 
the way in which our single graves are arranged. The 
sections are all in grass, each one is 17 feet 6 inches 
wide, exclusive of the intervening walk and any given 
length according to the space set apart. Each grave is 
7’x2’-8” at the head of the grave, if for one stone only, 
the lower base cannot exceed 2’-4”xi’-5”, and in very 
few cases is that much called for. For two or three 
graves a stone or one base can be of proportionate 
length, but no wider. Looking at tlie diagram. No. i 
is occupied by a child under ten years of age; No. 2, a 
full-sized body; 5 and 6 is owned by one person and is 
designed for husband and wife, with one stone for both 
graves, and so on the same way until you get to Nos. 
25 and 26 and, on the other side of the* same section, 
29 and 30, the same party having bought these four 
graves, two on each side entitle them to the whole space 
between the heads of the graves in the center of the 
section. As shown in diagram, instead of separate 
stones for each grave a small granite monument occupies 
this central space on a base 2-0 square and 5 feet high. 
This is virtually a small lot, owned by a worthy man 
who lost his wife. He wanted to do the best he could 
in the shape of a burial place; this much he could do, 
and provide a place for the remaining members of the 
family should they require it. Had we not such a 
place I do not know where he could have provided one 
within his means and have been satisfied. Pass along 
to 34, 35 and 36, these are owned by one person, he 
placed one stone at the head which answers for three or 
even more if needed, as they are allowed to bury two 
deep. The reader will see that some graves have no 
stones, others smaller ones as their owners’ tastes dic- 
tate. The height is governed by the thickness of the 
stone, which must be set to the satisfaction of the 
superintendent on a solid foundation of stone and 
cement laid as deep as the bottoms of the graves, some 
few stones are marble, but the large majority are gran- 
ite, all of neat designs. This variety, we think, adds to 
the appearance of the section much more than it would 
if each one were obliged to conform to a set pattern or 
style. Where there is no stone and an interment has 
been made a small mound, not over three or four inches 
high, is formed, which shows that the grave is occupied 
by a small or full grown person, according to the 
length. The space between the front lines of the head- 
