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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.




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.