The site of a cemetery is a matter of ex treme importance. It should be situated as far as possible from any populous locality, in order that it may not interfere with the needs of the living, and so may remain undisturbed for the greatest possible length of time. The soil should be light and porous, permitting abundant en trance of water and accompanying air, to expe dite decomposition. There should he good. natu ral underdrainage, but care should be taken that the drainage front eellICteries does not discharge directly into drinking-waters. The frequent proximity of cemeteries and reservoir sites is a fact to be deprecated. There should be strict municipal regulation of the depth and distanee apart at which graves may be dug. The owner ship of cemeteries is divided among municipali ties, churches, and private corporations. In the Continental cities munieipal ownership of ceme teries is the rule, although there are some private cemeteries. especially in Germany and Holland. In some cities, as Cologne. Naples. Dresden, and Rome. the management of funerals is also con
trolled by the municipality, the result being to decrease greatly burial expenses. British towns usually have municipal cemeteries. hut most of them are old and little used, the newer burial grounds being privately owned. Alanchester, Nottingham, and several other of the larger towns have very recently taken steps to provide adequate municipal cemeteries.
In the United States the largest and most popular cemeteries are usually owned by private corporations. About half of tie cities having a population of over 25,000 own cemeteries, Ina in all lint fifteen of these there are also private cemeteries. The city of Boston is a notable ex ception to the general rule, controlling, as it does, many cemeteries. In 1807 it created it cemetery department, consisting of a commission of nice trustees appointed by the mayor. Tt employs a superintendent at a salary of $2500. who keeps all records of burials and transfers. For infor mation about ancient burial places, see NECnol,