How to Map Unmarked Graves in Cemeteries
Have the Graves in Your Cemetery Located by a Nationally Recognized Expert
GeoModel, Inc. can locate known and unmarked graves in cemeteries using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR). During the cemetery mapping survey, the located graves are marked on the ground with paint that can be subsequently plotted on a map of the cemetery (called grave or cemetery mapping). A GeoModel, Inc. cemetery survey or grave location survey is conducted by an experienced Licensed Professional with over 20 years of grave mapping experience. This professional is nationally recognized and has been in many newspapers nationwide (See articles below).
Some cemeteries are hundreds of years old and unmarked graves can be common. Misplaced or poorly positioned headstones or markers can further complicate matters. Records are often vague, lost, or incomplete and there may be questions about the precise extent of a cemetery. There is often no surface expression of the burial location. Due to the sensitivity of these sites, the challenge is to explore the subsurface without disturbing the soil.
Many cemeteries have unmarked gravesites, old burials, and more recent burials, as shown in the ground penetrating radar image above from the historic Arlington Cemetery.
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) cemetery surveys are non-intrusive and ideal for locating cemeteries and unmarked graves. GeoModel uses GPR to detect a number of features that help identify a grave, including:
- The coffin or casket (wood, metal, lead lined, etc) or vault
- Disturbed ground structure and excavation features
- Movement or voids caused by collapse of the coffin or casket
How Accurate is Ground Penetrating Radar to Detect an Unmarked Grave for Cemetery Mapping?
Recent internments (1 to 50 years old) generally produce very distinct grave anomalies in the GPR profile and are most easily detected. Older graves (50 to 200 years old or more) produce less distinct or minimal anomalies and are more difficult to detect. Remains of burials are easier to locate in sandy soils that do not contain tree roots or stones. In cases where a vault or casket does not exist, or where the casket has completely deteriorated, GeoModel, Inc. can examine the GPR data for disturbed soil, grave trenches, or other indications of the burial.
The position of detected graves can be marked on the ground or GeoModel, Inc. can provide cemetery mapping by plotting the locations of graves on aerial photos or CAD drawings providing the client with clear, easy to understand results.
GeoModel, Inc. News Articles Pertaining to Grave Locating and Cemetery Mapping
GeoModel, Inc. has conducted numerous unmarked grave location and cemetery surveys that have significant interest to the local community, foundations, or government agencies. One of these, Menorah Gardens, has had national significance. Below are a few of the unmarked grave locating and cemetery mapping articles.
One recent article is featured in our geomodel.com/news section, and is also provided below: