Whether you are visiting a cemetery to participate in a burial or to find a distant ancestor, there is a correct way to conduct yourself. Doing so will allow you to visit the memorial of your loved one without disturbing the site or other visitors. Here is a general guideline to ensure you behave appropriately at any grave site or mausoleum.

A Cemetery Etiquette Guide

1. Determine If It Is Public or Private

Not all cemeteries are public locations, and visiting them without permission could be considered trespassing. If the memorial you plan to see is on public land, you can visit it whenever the property is open. However, if you aren't sure where the grave is, call ahead to find out, so there is no need to trek over other areas or disturb other visitors.

2. Be Respectful

A cemetery is above all a place where families and friends come to mourn and remember their loved ones. When visiting, take care to be respectful of the other people present. Silence your phones and keep any conversations at a low volume. Also, leave flowers, photos, coins, and other tokens left at the memorial site exactly as you found them. Additionally, make sure to read and follow the cemetery rules, such as not walking or standing on burial sites.

3. Do Not Harm the Gravestone

If you are visiting a cemetery to locate a long lost relative, do not do anything that will harm the grave marker or cause it to deteriorate further. This includes holding a piece of paper over the headstone and tracing the information with a pencil, which could result in chips. It's also not recommended to try and clean the stone to make it more visible, as this usually will cause long-term damage.

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