Where are body buried in relation to the headstone?

Traditionally in the USA, when a body is buried in a cemetery, a headstone is placed at the head of the grave to identify the person who is buried there. The headstone usually states a person’s name, their date of birth and death; occasionally some personal information, a prayer or a photograph.

How are headstones placed?

Headstones will be placed at the head of the grave and centered. Headstones will be placed in a straight line with the headstones to the left and right of the grave. The cemetery caretaker will place 3 stakes on each grave where a headstone is to be set. No excess soils or rocks will be left lying in the cemetery.

Why is the husband buried on the left of the wife?

One theory is that long ago husbands decided their wives belonged on their left side, the side closest to their heart. Other theories hold this placement is a reflection of a couple’s wedding day. When walking down the aisle, the man is traditionally standing to the right of his bride.

Which way does a body face in the grave?

east
The tradition of placing the casket/shroud covered body in the grave with the head to the west is common, and people know about it. At the same time, the feet are to the east. The body would be placed face up.

When buried Which way do you face?

2. The majority of people buried in a cemetery are Christians. If you see the majority of graves in a cemetery facing east, another reason for this occurrence could be that the cemetery is a Christian one. Since most Christians prefer to bury their dead facing east, Christian cemeteries often have this pattern.

What direction should a headstone be placed?

In other words, some headstones with the head at the west and the feet at the east, prefer the headstone to be oriented to the east while other families prefer the stone to be oriented to the west. The headstone is placed at the head of the body, generally in the States, the head is placed looking East.

What is the traditional orientation of the body when buried?

The tradition has been that the body is buried in such a way that the feet are oriented to the east and the head being oriented to the west. Alternatively, if it was not possible to bury someone in this orientation, the body may have been buried in a north south orientation with the head turned in such a way to face east.

How do you read a gravestone?

Typically, the headstone is placed at the heat of the body, and is read in the direction looking at the headstone, from foot-to-head. In essence, when you stand looking at a gravestone, you are technically standing over the deceased.

Are gravestones supposed to be orientated?

Traditional gravestones today are usually simple, with only a headstone placed upright at the head of a grave. Modern burials, however, are no longer superstitious, and although the superstitions may still exist, there are no specific restrictions on the orientation of a gravestone. This may depend on the cemetery’s rules and regulations, however.