Wednesday, November 16, 2016

Family Cemetery Update




I was back on the phone again today, tracking down rules for home cemeteries. So far I've spoken with our county coroner twice, nice chap, who is checking things out on the public health side and with our zoning commissioner.

The coroner told me when he called the public health department and told them of my desire to have a small family cemetery on our farm, the woman he spoke with asked if I "had it in for her husband?" Now sweetheart, if I "had it in" for someone do you really think I'd be calling around to get permission to bury the body BEFORE I committed the evil deed?

People.

Our county zoning commissioner also did not know the rules related to my questions but said he too would get back to me. Maybe he's calling public health too. In the meantime I found a great website with loads of info, nolo.com  Turns out there are no laws prohibiting home burials in Illinois, but there may be specific requirements about how far the cemetery must be from the road, other neighbors (we have none) water supplies (we have a well) etc...

The Nolo site also suggested making a map of your property with the designated area and filing it with the deed for your property. Well, I can do that! But first, while I wait to hear back from our county officials, I did a bit of online shopping for the fence I would like. Be sure to leave a comment on your favorite.

First off is this simple wood and stone model. Not sure if it's actually leaning or if the photographer had a liquid lunch. Either way, I do like this shabby chic cemetery look.


Image result for Family cemetery with wrought iron fence

Next is another minimalist look combining garden fencing and basic pipe secured with wood corner posts. Maybe too bland, Better for tomato support I think.


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This third option below, does appeal to my sense of humor as I find the stone heads more monkey like than human. But what is the deal with the big mound of dirt in the back? Too lazy to actually dig a hole for your loved one? Sheeesh.

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Option four is the rusted Adams Family fencing  A little graveyard within a graveyard . So meta. I'm not sure an entire body can even fit within those confines, well at least not MY entire body. Not unless I curl up on my side in a fetal position. Love how the grass is only green within the fencing. Obviously this is one of those sustainable organic plots.



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These next two are illustrations of what will happen if I die first, since I am overall the neater one of this marital couple.

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Image result for Family cemetery with wrought iron fence


But, as always I gravitate most towards the cemeteries of my O'Shaughnessy ancestors. Those Celtic crosses get me every time. Love all the knots and detailing.

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So much so that on a visit to the area  in 2009 I had the O'Shaughnessy symbol, found on the one of the small cemetery gates at Kilmacduagh Castle,  tattooed on my shoulder. Yes I did. I think I'm a bit old for it to be called a tramp stamp, so I'll have to settle for a gram stamp.


Image result for Kilmacduagh Castle

17 comments:

  1. I love how you're doing so much research. I'm going to be cremated, so much easier, and I just know my Lovely Hubby would never get round to erecting a fence around me ... heck he's not even finished the one that goes round the chicken pen yet!!

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    1. I love to do research. Never had encyclopedias growing up so I think Google is like the cats' meow.

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  2. I love the idea of a stone wall around your cemetery, especially if the stone comes from your land.

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    1. Oh, we have stone, and rusty metal car parts, and rubber tires and all kinds of stuff left from previous owners. My cemetery gates are destined to be eclectic.

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  3. I like the first one with the leaning fence. Looks like it's always been there. Officials may even think it's an existing cemetery. Might make a home burial easier if they think you just want to use an existing cemetery . . . Now, what happens if the Family want to sell the property after you're gone??? Do they have to MOVE the contents of the cemetery??? Can a new owner plant corn over top??? Will it affect the sale of the property??? Not that you'll care, of course, but will your kids??

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    1. Like you said Sharon, I won't care. Our kids will likely turn our property back into a dirt bike park like they did before we built the grain bin house. I can see the wheelies being done off my gravestone now.

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  4. Personally I'm going to be cremated. I figure whoever's left can just dump my ashes on the manure pile, seems like I spend half my time collecting the stuff. Might as well spend eternity in it.

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    1. That's the spirit! From ashes to ashes and compost to compost.

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  5. Surely, all you need is a sign saying 'Boot Hill'.

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  6. So great to see the work you have done to get this in place. I have been considering this for our acreage but until it is ours (meaning small remainder of mortgage paid in full) I doubt we could make it happen. But this has been good to get me going since the process may take awhile.

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    1. First get on the Nolo.com site and check your state regs. Call your county zoning commissioner now. Get those ducks in a row!

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  7. Please reserve two spots for me and Brandon
    Csn we barter for fee?
    Thanks
    Maggie

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    1. No fee for family. Ashes to ashes gift certificates are likey to show up under your Christmas tree this year.

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  8. You can also view here parental controls for ipad to expand the borders of your protection over your kids

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Comments are good, as long as you're a real person and not some goof telling me how you were cured of hepatitis by snorting a pulverized neon blue crayon. Your comments don't even have to agree with my viewpoint, I love a good discussion, but civility does matter.