The Historic
Dimension Series
A student publication series by the UNCG Department of Interior Architecture
Abandoned Cemeteries:
A Guide to their Identification and Care
by Katherine Crickmore Fall 2018
A cemetery can be aban-doned
for a multitude
of reasons, with time,
location, and migration being key factors.
There are thousands of forgotten cemeteries,
family graveyards, or general burial sites
dotting the American landscape, and, with
the rate of sprawl and growth, there are
more being discovered every day.
For the average individual who finds an
overgrown family graveyard on their
property, a cluster of weathered tombstones
near their new hiking trail, or a potential
historic cemetery by the ruins of an old
church, trying to find out the proper course
of action can be daunting. In general, the
best first step is to try not to disturb the site
in any way. It can be tempting to immedi-ately
try to clean the site or attempt to repair
damaged tombstones, but there are several
legal issues and practical steps to consider
beforehand, the least of which is determin-ing
whether a site is actually forgotten.
Legality of Providing Maintenance
In the United States, most cemeteries are
not legally defined as abandoned until the
site has stopped getting regular mainte-nance
and is no longer known to the public,
with the latter condition holding a bit more
weight. There are several ways to find out
whether a cemetery is known to the public,
such as consulting city records or contacting
previous or current property owners. There
are also websites, like findagrave.com, that
are being used to document previously
unknown cemeteries and can be helpful in
general searches. Some counties are actively
trying to discover and document unknown
rural cemeteries and can potentially provide
help and resources.
If a site is indeed found to be abandoned,
local cemetery ordinances and property
laws should then be consulted to determine
the legal right of current property owners
or concerned citizens in providing physical
care. With many small or unknown cemeter-ies,
maintenance resides with the current
property owner or family members of those
buried there, but it is important to be sure of
county-specific ordinances before taking it
upon yourself to provide care to an aban-doned
burial site.
Keep in mind that many cases of discover-ing
abandoned cemeteries will not dictate
legal responsibility of maintenance to the
current property owners, so one can choose
to take no action in providing clean up or
care.
Types of American Cemeteries
Correctly identifying a gravesite or type
of cemetery is not necessarily essential in
providing basic maintenance, but the knowl-edge
can be useful when researching the site
and developing a long-term care plan. There
are several types of graveyards, cemeteries,
and burial grounds across the American
landscape which can be easily grouped in
terms of age and common physical features.
American Indian burial sites make up some
of the oldest gravesites in the United States,
“Widespread
incidents of
abandon-ment,
theft,
vandalism,
real estate
develop-ment,
and
environmen-tal
hazards
have pushed
cemeteries
to the
forefront of
preservation
issues.”
-Guidelines
for Evalu-ating
and
Registering
Cemeteries
and Burial
Places Bul-letin,
1.
UNCG The Historic Dimension Series: 2
Figure 3: Early colonial cemeteries were often placed
near churches and featured orderly, eastward-facing
graves. Cemetery at St. Thomas Episcopal Church.
Bath, North Carolina.
and, while burial practices varied greatly from group
to group, the most long-lasting and easiest to identify is
the burial mound. These mounds can vary in size and
construction, but many can be picked out from the sur-rounding
environment by their neat, man-made charac-teristics
(Fig. 2). In identifying a potential burial mound,
keep in mind that some suspected sites can turn out to
be piles of cleared dirt and debris from nearby develop-ment
or mining, so double check the history of the area
to gain a better idea of the likelihood of American Indian
mounds.
After Christianity was brought to the Americas, early
American grave sites of both colonists and American
Indians became more uniform. Most colonial cemeter-ies
had evenly spaced, eastward facing graves and were
often in the proximity of a church, unless the site was a
private or family-owned plot (Fig. 3). Over time, central-ized
town or city cemeteries became more popular than
church-adjacent, but the general uniformity and style of
cemeteries remained the standard in the United States
after that point in time.
Small, family-owned cemeteries make up a large portion
of abandoned burial sites, especially in the rural Ameri-can
South. These private cemeteries can generally be
found near older dwellings and may feature the remains
of fencing which can be helpful in determining site
boundaries. As families dwindle or migrate, the loca-tion
or very existence of their family cemeteries can be
forgotten, only to be rediscovered later by new property
owners or other community members. Even if a family-owned
cemetery has not been abandoned, the upkeep of
these types of burial sites are more than often left to lay-men
family members who may find the task daunting.
Properly Identifying a Burial Site
With the various types of American burial sites in mind,
there are three specific features that can aid in further
identification: environmental landscape, location of
graves, and type of tombstone. When there is an absence
of immediately recognizable grave markers, the physi-cal
features of the landscape can provide a vital clue.
American Indian burial mounds are a good example of
this and, for colonial-era cemeteries, one can look for
grave depressions. These dips in the ground typically
form when the disturbed earth settles over a long period
of time, and multiple orderly depressions in an area can
hint toward a potential burial site (Fig. 4).
These areas may also have non-native plants growing
nearby, as it was common practice in the eighteenth and
nineteenth century to plant traditional burial or orna-mental
plants at graves. Keep an eye out for plants like
roses, violets, lilies, ferns, or daffodils.
The location and order of the potential graves is also
telling, as previously mentioned. Orderly burial plots,
Figure 2: American Indian burial mounds can resemble
man-made hills. Madison, Wisconsin.
UNCG The Historic Dimension Series: 3
Figure 4: Orderly grave depressions can be seen in a
disused cemetery. Thorpe End, Norfolk, Great Britain.
Figure 5: A Ground Penetrating Radar in use mapping a
site. possibly eastward oriented or nearby to a site of a
church, can be a good indicator that a cemetery was once
maintained there. The presence of tombstones is often
the most easily identifiable feature when trying to iden-tify
a potential grave site. Keep in mind that older grave
markers like fieldstones, wooden markers, and early
carved tombstones can be more worn away and hard
to identify compared to more modern monuments. In
the absence of identifiable tombstones, look for orderly
placed stones, in conjunction with any grave depressions
or burial plants. These markers may not necessarily be
above ground level, so carefully clearing away excess
vegetation or debris may reveal previously unknown
graves.
Once an abandoned cemetery has been safely identified,
the process of mapping the site can begin, along with
performing a conditions assessment, and developing
a long-term management plan. Before any changes are
made to the site, be sure to document the area just as it
was found to add to its records.
Mapping an Abandoned Cemetery
The easiest method of mapping a rural cemetery would
be to simply draw out the known or observable bound-aries
and the location of any identified or potential
graves. Keep track, if possible, of the general measure-ments
of the site and any notable environmental fea-tures,
like grave markers and burial plants. An aerial
photograph of the site can potentially be helpful with
this method. If no other detailed maps of the site can be
created, the paper and pencil method alongside corre-sponding
photographs of the site will be sufficient for
starting a record for the site. However, an initial draw-ing
of the graveyard can also be the first step before
taking more detailed action.
There are several cemetery-marking or documenting
apps that are available on smartphones and as computer
software that can be very useful in the mapping process.
Technology can allow for more precise measurements
to be recorded and for exact Global Positioning System
(GPS) coordinates to be taken, along with providing a
centralized location in which to store the site’s data.
If the goal is to determine the most accurate size and
scope of the burial site, there are several surveying
methods that can be conducted by professionals. These
types of surveys can be expensive and time-consuming,
and it is generally not necessary to go to such lengths
when mapping a site, but the option is available. The
most common and conclusive surveying method of this
sort is to use a Ground Penetrating Rader (GPR) which
sends radar waves into the ground of a potential site and
records the reflection that is sent back. Professionals can
read the compiled data and determine the probability of
potential grave locations and site boundaries based on
the presence of disturbed soil (Fig. 5).
There are other surveying methods that can be used
by professionals, like the more low-tech probe survey,
which tests for disturbed soil by inserting a metal pole
into the ground of a site, or the labor-intensive slot
trench, in which a professional physically excavates a
portion of the site. Whatever the method used, a trained
archaeologist must be hired to properly conduct and
interpret a cemetery site survey. It is generally illegal
for a layman to dig within or around a potential cem-etery,
even just in an attempt to determine if the site was
indeed used for burial.
UNCG The Historic Dimension Series: 4
It is important to note that, in most cases, a certified land
surveyor must conduct their own survey for an aban-doned
cemetery to officially be added to the property
deed, if that is a goal. More information on this process
can be obtained from a county deed office.
Performing a Conditions Assessment
After mapping an abandoned cemetery, a more detailed
conditions assessment of the site can be undertaken to
prepare for the creation of a long-term care plan. When
assessing a burial site, keep in mind the type of cemetery
or burial site that is being observed. The more common
issue surrounding abandoned cemeteries is the collapse
or erosion of tombstones or monuments, particularly the
earlier hand-made grave markers (Fig. 6). There is also
probability of excess or unruly vegetation and general
vandalism or debris in the area that must be contended
with (Fig. 7). Each burial site is unique, so it may be
useful to first detail the overall condition of the site and
then conduct specific research to determine what the
most concerning or time-sensitive issue may be.
In the evaluation of a cemetery, be sure to keep careful
track of which area, grave, or marker is being referenced.
It would likely be helpful to develop a key and attach a
map of the site to the general assessment. If applicable,
transcribe any tombstone epitaphs that are still readable
and the location of possible burial plants on the site.
There are several cemetery assessment forms that can be
found online which provide more detailed information
on what to look for when assessing a site. The National
Center for Preservation Technology and Training
(NCPTT) has a useful Conditions Survey Form that can
be downloaded and used in the general documentation
and assessment process.
Best Practices for Cleaning and Repair Work
Once the condition of the cemetery has been assessed,
more specific decisions can be made on the type of
cleaning or repair work needed at the site. At this point
in the process, it is essential to conduct specific research
before any action is taken that could potentially harm
or permanently alter the site, especially if there are any
grave markers that need care.
The age, type of stone, and state of disrepair are all
aspects that must be considered before making a mainte-nance
plan. For some older stones or monuments, where
the material seems fragile or too deteriorated, it may be
best to simply leave them alone. For other tombstones
that may need repair or more specialized cleaning
beyond soap and water, it would be best to consult a
professional before taking personal action. However,
many older tombstones are durable enough to withstand
a simple cleaning.
General practice for cleaning tombstones mandates that
the use of any harsh chemicals be avoided at all cost.
Bleach is often used by laymen to clean tombstones, but
this type of “cleaner” has a chemical makeup that can
greatly increase the rate of deterioration of a stone and
should not be used in any circumstance.
For most cases, a soft-bristled brush or sponge can be
used with clean water to remove dirt from the surface of
the tombstone (Fig. 8). For stubborn biological growth,
a biodegradable cleaning solution with a neutral PH,
such as D/2 Biological Solution, is usually safe to use on
Figure 7: Excess and overgrown vegetation throughout
a church cemetery. Mount Pisgah Presbyterian Church
Cemetery. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
Figure 6: Damaged tombstones in a family cemetery on
Portsmouth Island. Ocracoke, North Carolina.
UNCG The Historic Dimension Series: 5
historic stones. When cleaning tombstones, gentleness
and caution are always key in preventing further harm.
Before attempting to clean a tombstone or grave marker,
be sure to take detailed photographs of its condition
before any work is done.
When clearing a burial site of debris or excess vegeta-tion,
it is best to avoid the use of heavy machinery like
lawnmowers or weed wackers, as unintentional harm
could occur to the landscape of the site or any grave
markers within. Instead, one could use tools like shears
or simply remove unruly vegetation by hand. In general,
use caution when working near tombstones and avoid
disturbing the soil as much as possible (Fig. 9).
One generally should not try to repair a tombstone that
has broken or fallen over, as more damage is likely to
occur. In many cases, gently cleaning grave markers and
the surrounding area is the extent of maintenance that
should be attempted, and, often, that is all that is needed
to brighten up a previously abandoned site.
Developing a Long-Term Management Plan
The development of a long-term management plan is a
helpful last step before an abandoned rural cemetery can
be safely restored. Keep in mind what research was done
at the beginning of the project regarding policies and
statues of local cemetery law in developing a plan for the
future of the site. Advice from professionals, especially
those in urban planning and preservation planning, will
also be useful at this point in the process. Make decisions
regarding the long-term care of a site, such as who will
perform maintenance or what sort of repair work will be
needed in the future.
Be sure to develop a schedule to periodically check on
the cemetery to deter vandalism and monitor the condi-tion
of the site. Clear documentation of the site and
records of any work completed are vital in ensuring the
endurance of a no-longer abandoned cemetery. It may
be helpful to digitize the records so others can access the
research and details, depending on the specific situation.
Conclusion
Abandoned cemeteries are being discovered more and
more in the recent years, and the question of how best to
approach their care remains prevalent. Providing main-tenance
to a burial site can seem like a daunting task
at first glance. One may not know where to start, what
should be attempted, or even if they are allowed to vol-unteer
their help. Hopefully, this guide will assist those
who want to provide care for forgotten cemeteries and
show that anyone can contribute. With careful planning
and a little effort, an abandoned cemetery can easily be
brought back to its former condition.
Above all, remember that a cemetery is a sacred resting
place and, no matter its age or condition, deserves to be
treated with respect. Providing care and maintenance to
an abandoned cemetery can help restore the site to what
it was originally designed to be, a place of reverence and
memory.
Bibliography
Appell, J. (November 27, 2010). Cleaning Gravestones,
Monuments & Stone Sculptures. Retrieved from http://
www.gravestonepreservation.info/articles/cleaning-gravestones-
monuments-stone-sculptures
Figure 9: A volunteer cleans the vegetation and debris
around a tombstone. Bryant Cemetery.
Figure 8: Volunteers use soap and water to carefully
clean headstones. Bragg Cemetery. Fort Stewart, Geor-gia.
UNCG The Historic Dimension Series: 6
Church, J. (February 28, 2012). Cemetery Documentation.
National Center for Preservation Technology and Training.
Retrieved from https://www.ncptt.nps.gov/blog/docu-mentation/
Heffern, S. and National Trust for Historic Preservation.
(December 2015). How to Preserve Historic Cemeteries and
Burial Grounds. Retrieved from
https://savingplaces.org/stories/how-to-preserve-his-toric-
cemeteries-and-burial-grounds#.W5Qz_-hKhPb
North Carolina Office of State Archaeology, Natural and
Cultural Resources. Cemeteries. Retrieved from
https://archaeology.ncdcr.gov/programs/cemeteries
Patch, S. and N.C. Department of Natural and Cultural
Resources (2018, July 26). From Grave Markers to Un-marked
Graves: Archaeological Insights of Historic Cemeter-ies.
Retrieved from
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8g1-
yfH727I&feature=youtu.be
Potter, E., and Boland, B. (1992). Guidelines for Evaluat-ing
and Registering Cemeteries and Burial Places. Retrieved
from https://www.nps.gov/nr/publications/bulletins/
nrb41/
Striegel, M., Gale, F., Church, J. and Dietrich-Smith, D.
(2016). Preservation Brief 48: Preserving Grave Markers in
Historic Cemeteries. Retrieved from https://www.nps.
gov/tps/how-to-preserve/briefs/48-preserving-grave-markers.
htm
Acknowledgements
The author wishes to thank Dean Ruedrich, Historic
Preservation Specialist, Ruedrich Restorations; Michelle
Michael, Preservation Planner for the Town of Wake
Forest; and Jo Leimenstoll, Professor, UNCG Depart-ment
of Interior Architecture.
Image Credits
Figure 1: Brian Alexander/Flickr.
Figure 2: James Steakley/Wikipedia.
Figure 3: Katie Beeman.
Figure 4: Evelyn Simak/Geograph.
Figure 5: Ditch Witch/Flickr.
Figure 6: Katherine Crickmore.
Figure 7: Cbaile19/Wikipedia.
Figure 8: U.S. Army.
Figure 9: U.S. Army.
Figure 10: Ser Amantio di Nicolao/Wikipedia.
Figure 11: Midnight Believer/Flickr.
All photographs used were labeled as free for use on
their respective platforms.
The Historic Dimension Series is a collection of briefs prepared
by UNCG students under the direction of Professor Jo Ramsay
Leimenstoll. For information on other topics in the series please
visit the website at go.uncg.edu/hds
Figure 11: Wallace Family Cemetery. Crittenden County,
Kentucky.
Figure 10: Stanton Family Cemetery. Buckingham
County, Virginia.
