In the United States, the Federal government established 200 cemeteries especially for the burial of soldiers who rendered military service, and their dependents. These cemeteries include national cemeteries, soldiers’ lots, and American cemeteries overseas. The government also created veterans’ cemeteries, though a majority of veterans are buried in community or private cemeteries. Among the earliest types of organized cemetery for deceased American military men was the post cemetery. Early to mid-19th century commanders buried their soldiers in graves, assigned with numbers, within post reservations. In 1850, the cemetery outside Mexico City, for those who died in the Mexican War, was considered a precedent for permanent military cemeteries ten years before the national cemetery system was established.
The funeral rites of most cultural groups in the United States have three stages: the visitation, burial service and gathering. During the visitation or wake, the body is displayed in a casket the night before the burial proper. The body is then cremated, placed in a tomb aboveground, or buried underground. Afterwards, the mourners traditionally get together for a meal in the home of the deceased, or at the funeral home. There are specific funeral rites for soldiers. These include bugle calls, gun salutes and presentation of the flag to the family. In the United States, the Taps, also known as “Butterfield’s Lullaby” and “Day is Done”, are musical pieces played in the funerals of deceased soldiers. In a war, soldiers often die in groups during combat. Hence, a military cemetery database is helpful to the dependents of the deceased. Cemetery databases contain information about the deceased including his name, date of birth and death, dates of each stage of the funeral rites, and burial certificate. It also includes the exact site of the tomb in the cemetery and a cemetery map which indicates the location of cemetery facilities. Relatives and friends of deceased soldiers will find the cemetery database useful and convenient. The cemetery management can also use a cemetery database to record accounting information, such as accounts receivable, accounts payable, inventory control, purchase orders, general ledger, order entry and e-commerce. The database allows them to book services they can provide for the family of the deceased. The database also helps with land management since it provides a detailed cemetery map. The cemetery records search is among the many features of the cemetery database. With just a quick search, both the cemetery management and the family can easily locate the deceased and get records about his death. For more information on cemetery management, read fcpr.fsu.edu.
