The modern threats of war and the recent pandemic have made us reflect on the transient nature of everything in this world. What we have now, including our own bodies, will eventually cease to be ours. However, thanks to our parents and ancestors, we now possess both our physical bodies and inherited spiritual and physical abilities, which help us shape the material world around us. Therefore, in the material world, there is a place such as a cemetery, where silence, respect, gratitude, and love prevail. We express these sentiments by bringing flowers, lighting candles, caring for graves, sitting on benches, and immersing ourselves in memories, while honoring our deceased loved ones with gratitude and love.
What Actions Should Be Taken at the Cemetery After the Funeral?
A cemetery is a place where our loved ones rest, either buried traditionally or in urns, and where their memory is preserved across generations.
It is customary to remove withered flowers and tidy the grave on the 30th or 40th day after the funeral. Cemetery regulations also stipulate that within a year after the funeral, a memorial plaque should be installed at the grave. When an urn is buried, a monument is also placed, and the entire burial site is organized.
How to Preserve the Memory of Your Loved Ones?
Cemeteries are like living books of memory and historical events. They vividly reflect the trends of each historical period. If a grave is tastefully arranged, it conveys a sense of harmony, peace, and respect.
Over time, old graves require reconstruction as borders and benches wear out, settle, and supporting walls crumble, while shrubs and other plantings overgrow. Sometimes monuments are reconstructed or old equipment is replaced with new.
Grave Before Reconstruction at Ziepniekalns Cemetery in 2024
Grave After Reconstruction at Ziepniekalns Cemetery in 2024
How to Estimate the Cost of Grave Improvement?
To manage grave improvement effectively, Memorial Services recommends consulting with cemetery landscaping specialists. It is essential to conduct technical measurements, assess the condition of existing structures, and suggest the best design solutions for each burial site.
The cost of grave improvement will depend on various factors, from preparatory work such as leveling the site, installing retaining walls, and removing overgrown plants, to the creation of the monument itself.
A significant portion of the costs includes not just the monument fabrication but also the design elements—decorations, bronze letters, and accessories such as vases, candlesticks, benches, and flower beds.
Additionally, installation costs should be considered, including material delivery, terrain complexity, and the use of special equipment.
How to Maintain a Grave?
In Latvia, cemeteries are maintained with particular care, resembling beautiful gardens with a sense of eternity. Even after improvement, a grave requires regular maintenance. Sometimes people are surprised when a grave appears overgrown and neglected 4-5 years after it has been fully restored. Regular upkeep is necessary to keep it in proper condition.
Today, this can be done remotely. Graves are digitized, and people abroad or those busy with daily life can order services from anywhere in the world. Professional cemetery cleaning services will handle all necessary work, send photo reports, and take care of regular or general maintenance of the grave.
