Over there burial plots in some areas are officially reused if the rent isn't paid etc.
Americans of the past several hundred years are probably the most careful and respectful of the dead of any society.Which is why we are appalled by these grave-robbers.
But in Europe, the short-term nature of the burial arrangement is understood up front. In one country (can’t recall which) I read that the standard burial is for a 30 year term (and I think all bodies are cremated). After 30 years, the grave is dug up, cremains discarded, and the burial site re-used (though presumably relatives could buy a new lease to extend the time).
I had no idea.. Rent? Here we have to pay for the plot before burial, or does the differ amongst states?
Over there burial plots in some areas are officially reused if the rent isn't paid etc.
Europe has dealt with this issue in many ways, including (as you mentioned) rent. But they've also used catacombs, astudans, and ossuaries. The Ossuary at Sedlec, Czech Republic (^) contains tens of thousands of skeletons.
If reburying a body elsewhere offends sensibilities, I wonder what people might think of their relatives being made into chandeliers, furniture, or architectural features?
The Mummies of Guanajuato, Mexico (^) exist because they were evicted from the cemetery they were originally interred in because their relatives couldn't or wouldn't pay the annual tax. The museum where they are displayed is open to this day, and are the focus of a tour in the United States.
Additionally, for many decades, traveling carnivals in the United States have had various corpses, some purporting to be various celebrities, criminals, or simply malformed humans. Until recently, we've had no problem whatsoever digging up Native American burial mounds or displaying mummies from other cultures. Not exactly respectful.
Americans of the past several hundred years are probably the most careful and respectful of the dead of any society.Which is why we are appalled by these grave-robbers.
Agreed. At the same time, we seem to toss that care and respect aside from time to time when it suits us.
some asian countrys also....i saw one (japan?) where the family goes years later to empty the grave of the bones to prepare it for future family use...i don’t remember what they did or do with the bones....