Episode Summary: "What happens when a cemetery goes out of business?"

Podcast: Search Engine
Host: PJ Vogt
Guest: David Sloan, Professor at the University of Southern California and author of two books about cemeteries
Release Date: February 7, 2025

Introduction

In this captivating episode of Search Engine, host PJ Vogt delves into a profound and unconventional question submitted by a long-time listener, Lucas: "What happens when a cemetery goes out of business?" This inquiry opens up a multifaceted exploration into the operational, cultural, and societal implications of cemeteries ceasing to function. To shed light on this subject, PJ welcomes David Sloan, a seasoned expert with both professional and personal ties to cemeteries.

Origin of the Question

Lucas's curiosity stems from an unusual experience during his advertising studies in Texas. While analyzing brand copy, he encountered a uniquely personified Muslim cemetery grappling with financial struggles on its website. This creative yet unsettling approach left a lasting impression, leading Lucas to ponder the sustainability of such burial grounds.

Lucas [04:35]: "It's like your interpretation of your own hockey hat... Ultimately, I never thought about what happens to a cemetery if it goes out of business."

David Sloan’s Background and Connection to Cemeteries

David Sloan brings a wealth of knowledge and personal experience to the discussion. Growing up in a 200-acre cemetery in Syracuse, New York, where his father was the superintendent, Sloan has been intimately connected with burial practices from infancy.

David Sloan [12:19]: "I have a more intimate personal relationship with it... the death is part of life."

This lifelong exposure has not only shaped his academic pursuits but also his personal understanding of death and remembrance.

Historical Evolution of Cemeteries in America

Sloan provides a comprehensive overview of how American cemeteries have evolved over centuries. Initially, burials were predominantly family or churchyard affairs, often temporary and unplanned for long-term maintenance. However, as urbanization surged in the late 18th century, the need for organized and permanent burial grounds became evident.

David Sloan [18:46]: "Hillhouse creates the first modern American cemetery, the model for many others to come."

James Hillhouse's establishment of the New Haven Burying Ground in 1796 marked a pivotal shift towards dedicated, non-profit cemeteries. This model was influenced by similar developments in industrializing countries like France and England, addressing both urban displacement and public health concerns.

Cultural Shifts and the Role of Cemeteries

The 19th century witnessed the rise of romanticism, intertwining with practical needs to transform cemeteries into serene, green spaces within urban environments. These areas not only served as resting places for the dead but also as communal grounds for reflection and recreation.

PJ Vogt [20:24]: "Romanticism emerges in Europe... how can we slightly suburbanize the dead to create more permanent places."

Cemeteries became integral to the cultural fabric, embodying societal attitudes toward death, nature, and community.

Modern Challenges Facing Cemeteries

In contemporary America, cemeteries confront several significant challenges that threaten their viability as both businesses and cultural institutions:

1. Cremation Trend:

   The shift towards cremation has profound economic implications. Cremation services are typically less costly than traditional burials, leading to decreased revenue for cemeteries reliant on plot sales.

   David Sloan [32:15]: "Cremation rate in 1960 is less than 5%. By 2035, people are arguing it's going to be over 70%."

2. Changing Attitudes Toward Legacy:

   A growing number of individuals prefer minimalist or natural burials, rejecting traditional cemetery practices. This shift reduces demand for conventional burial plots and encourages alternative end-of-life arrangements.

   David Sloan [34:05]: "There are people that don't believe in cemeteries anymore... they want natural burials."

3. Migration and Loss of Local Ties:

   Increased geographical mobility means families are less likely to remain in one location, weakening the communal bonds that support cemetery maintenance and visitation.

   David Sloan [36:33]: "If you live somewhere where there's a small cemetery... it’s easy to stop visiting."

Outcomes When Cemeteries Go Out of Business

When a cemetery faces financial insolvency, Sloan outlines three primary outcomes:

1. Corporate Takeover:

   Larger funeral corporations may absorb struggling cemeteries, leveraging economies of scale to reduce costs. However, this often leads to standardized practices that may erode the cemetery's unique cultural or historical identity.

   David Sloan [43:18]: "Big corporations... try to do cost cuts that are not negative to the business."

2. Community or Volunteer Management:

   Local "Friends of..." groups or volunteer organizations may assume responsibility for maintenance and preservation, fostering a communal effort to sustain the cemetery's legacy.

   David Sloan [44:10]: "They bring their own mowers... they tend the graves."

3. State Intervention:

   In some instances, state authorities step in to manage defunct cemeteries. However, Sloan notes that state efforts are often sporadic and insufficient, leading to neglect and deterioration.

   David Sloan [45:37]: "States... will take over but are often derelict."

Innovations and Adaptations in the Cemetery Industry

Despite facing numerous challenges, some cemeteries are adapting through innovative practices to remain relevant and financially sustainable:

• Cultural Programming:

  Cemeteries like Hollywood Forever in Los Angeles host concerts, film screenings, and other events, transforming burial grounds into vibrant community spaces that attract visitors beyond traditional mourning periods.

  David Sloan [37:33]: "Hollywood Forever... is part of finding creative ways to get people back into the cemetery."

• Architectural Solutions:

  To maximize land use, cemeteries are constructing multi-tiered mausoleums and high-rise burial structures, allowing for more interments within limited spaces.

  David Sloan [37:33]: "Some cemeteries have begun to build up mausoleums that are somewhat high rise."

These innovations not only address space constraints but also reimagine cemeteries as active, multifaceted spaces within urban landscapes.

Personal Reflections on Burial Choices

The episode takes a poignant turn as both PJ and Sloan share their personal reflections on burial preferences, highlighting the emotional and cultural complexities involved in posthumous arrangements.

David Sloan [50:09]: "I’m undecided... I could actually buy in some cemeteries."

PJ Vogt [51:16]: "I had decided that I wanted to be cremated and put in the water near where I used to go to the beach as a kid... realized we have a problem."

These candid discussions underscore the deeply personal nature of burial choices and the challenges of aligning individual wishes with familial and cultural expectations.

Conclusion: The Enduring Relevance of Cemeteries

Despite the myriad challenges, Sloan emphasizes that cemeteries continue to hold significant cultural and communal value. They remain essential as places of remembrance, reflection, and connection between the living and the dead.

PJ Vogt [53:43]: "The cemetery isn't dead."

Sloan encapsulates the enduring importance of cemeteries, asserting that their role evolves but remains integral to societal frameworks surrounding death and legacy.

Key Takeaways

• Sustainability of Cemeteries: Modern cemeteries face economic and cultural pressures that challenge their traditional operations, necessitating innovative adaptations.

• Cultural Significance: Beyond being mere burial grounds, cemeteries serve as communal spaces that reflect societal attitudes toward death, legacy, and remembrance.

• Adaptive Strategies: Cemeteries that incorporate cultural programming and architectural innovations are better positioned to thrive amidst changing societal norms.

• Personal and Communal Balance: Burial choices are deeply personal yet influenced by communal practices and cultural expectations, highlighting the complex interplay between individual wishes and societal norms.

This episode offers a thorough exploration of the lifecycle and cultural significance of cemeteries, blending historical context, modern challenges, personal narratives, and expert insights to address a unique and profound question. Whether you're contemplating end-of-life arrangements or simply intrigued by societal practices surrounding death, this discussion provides valuable perspectives on an often-overlooked facet of human experience.