Cemetery Relocation, Identification, and Documentation
CRA, in business since 1983, is ready to help with your cemetery needs. CRA’s competent staff can conduct all aspects of cemetery investigations, including identification and documentation, delineation, excavation/disinterment, bioarchaeological analysis, and reinterment. Interdisciplinary approaches, including archaeological survey, geophysical remote sensing, archival research, genealogical research, and use of heavy mechanical equipment may be used to identify the locations of abandoned, neglected, and forgotten cemeteries, to delineate the boundaries of cemeteries with unmarked graves, and to connect individuals to descendants.
Most importantly, CRA's professional staff will serve as your cemetery relocation contractor, taking responsibility for all aspects of the cemetery relocation process. CRA's staff will ensure that all legal and professional matters and qualifications associated with work at your cemetery will be met. Cemetery relocations are conducted by CRA's professional staff with respect and integrity, and such work is done with the discipline required of an archaeological excavation, which ensures that all graves and their contents are relocated. CRA's staff consists of individuals with graduate degrees focusing on physical anthropology, and they have extensive experience in all matters concerning cemetery relocation, including exhumation of human remains, analysis of human remains to determine biological characteristics of each individual, and analysis of materials interred with the deceased. The relocation of cemeteries can be a highly emotional and sensitive undertaking for descendants and other concerned parties, and CRA's staff interacts with descendant communities with respect and consideration of their needs and opinions.
CRA has the staff capacity and resources to mobilize multiple crews, even on concurrent, large projects. CRA works closely with federal, state, and other agencies to ensure that all legal aspects of work regarding cemeteries are met. CRA's work is scientific and cost-effective, which provides our clients with a product of great value. Contact us today to see how we can help with your cemetery project.
Cemetery Services
- Identification of cemetery locations through archaeological and geophysical survey and archival research
- Provide accurate counts of graves and their locations through archaeological and geophysical means
- Delineation of overall cemetery boundaries
- Detailed analyses of gravemarker inscriptions, types of monuments, and gravemarker materials
- Analysis of all human remains and artifacts, such as coffin hardware, clothing, and personal effects from excavated graves
- Identify descendants and identifications of the deceased through extensive archival and genealogical research
- Create designs for appropriate reinterment and memorial markers
- Respectful and efficient relocation of graves and cemeteries
- Assist with public reinterment and reunion ceremonies
Cemetery Project Examples
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Evans Cemetery
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Client: Potesta & Associates, Inc.
Project Description: This project consisted of the relocation of 106 historic and modern graves that dated circa 1875 through 1988 from the Evans Cemetery (46Md62) in McDowell County, West Virginia. Fifteen graves were subjected to full archaeological excavation and analysis. Working closely with a funeral director, the remaining historic-period graves (i.e., pre-1956) were disinterred by funeral home personnel, and the recovered materials were analyzed in the field by CRA’s bioarchaeologist. All graves were reinterred at modern cemeteries, most of which were in the newly established Relocation Evans Cemetery in Bradshaw, West Virginia.
Ward Hall Cemetery
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Client: Ball Homes, LLC.
Project Description: This project consisted of the relocation of nine historic period graves at the Ward Hall Cemetery (15Sc292) in Scott County, Kentucky. The cemetery was composed of African-American slaves who were owned by Junius R. Ward circa 1830 through 1865. One additional interment was made circa 1890–1900. The population consisted of three adults and six infants and children. All individuals for which skeletal remains were recovered exhibited evidence of pathology, including degenerative skeletal changes, such as osteoarthritis, and porotic hyperostosis, abnormal bone loss and formation, and a probable gunshot wound. Dental pathologies included caries, periodontal disease, and abscesses.