Difference Between Cemetery and Graveyard

The key difference between cemetery and graveyard is that the cemetery is not situated next to a church whereas the graveyard is situated next to a church.

Both cemetery and graveyard refer to places where we bury the dead. Although many people use these two words interchangeably, there is a difference between cemetery and graveyard. Moreover, cemeteries are a relatively new concept when compared to graveyards.

CONTENTS

1. Overview and Key Difference
2. What is a Cemetery
3. What is a Graveyard
4. Similarities Between Cemetery and Graveyard
5. Side by Side Comparison – Cemetery vs Graveyard in Tabular Form
6. Summary

What is a Cemetery?

The word cemetery originates from Greek koimētērion means ‘sleeping place’. This is a place where we bury the remains of dead people. Cemeteries are a relatively new concept. They came into being when traditional graveyards became full with the increase in population. Unlike a graveyard, a cemetery is not adjacent to a church.

Various countries and cultures have different types of cemeteries. For example, some countries have dedicated cemeteries for military burials, and some countries have private or family cemeteries.

What is a Graveyard?

A graveyard is a burial ground that is adjacent to a church. In other words, a graveyard is a part of the churchyard. In the past, people, especially nobles and rich people, were buried close to the church. Some were buried in crypts underneath the church.

The church had the power over the burial of the dead. For example, those who committed suicide were not allowed to be buried within the consecrated grounds of the graveyard. They were instead buried just outside the cemeteries.

What is the Similarity Between Cemetery and Graveyard?

• Both refer to burial grounds of the dead.

What is the Difference Between Cemetery and Graveyard?

Cemetery is a burial ground whereas graveyard is a burial ground in a churchyard. Thus, the main difference between cemetery and graveyard is their location. Moreover, graveyards are older than cemeteries since cemeteries are a relatively new concept.

Summary – Cemetery vs Graveyard

Although many people use these two words interchangeably, there is a difference between cemetery and graveyard. The basic difference between cemetery and graveyard is their location; cemeteries are not situated next to a church while graveyards are situated next to a church.

Image Courtesy:

1.”2093999″ by tazzanderson (CC0) via pixabay
2.”993854″ by terimakasih0 (CC0) via pixabay