Cedar Curve Cemetery / Funerals in the Early 1800s

Cedar Curve Cemetery, also, Funerals in the Early 1800s. . Side A , Cedar Curve Cemetery , Not far from this place on the inside of a bend called Wells Bottom sat the Cedar Curve Cemetery. The Cedar Curve Cemetery was in use from 1802-1847 on land first settled by James McMechen in 1776. , , It is unclear who the people were that were buried in the cemetery with most of the headstones broken or weathered and the cemetery long forgotten. Through an archaeological excavation it was found that there were four rows of burials within the cemetery and a total of 25 individuals. , , The Locust Grove Cemetery is located approximately 0.3 mi. south of this spot. It is contemporary with the Cedar Curve Cemetery, the first confirmed burial being in 1810. The individuals from the Cedar Curve Cemetery were reburied in the Locust Grove Cemetery in 2015. , , The cemetery was moved by Order of the Honorable Judge David W. Hummel, Jr. so that the historical nature of the cemetery could be preserved and so that the persons buried here were accorded the dignity and respect they deserved. , , Side B , Funerals in the Early 1800s , Preparation of the body for burial in frontier Virginia occurred in the house of the deceased. The body was prepared for burial by the family. The wake was held within the home with relatives and neighbors in attendance. Funeral services were either held at the graveside or in the church prior to burial. In the case of the Cedar Curve Cemetery there does not seem to be any evidence of a church so it was likely done graveside. , , The funeral most often occurred the day after death. A coffin would have been made of local hardwoods like oak or walnut. Most coffins were made to size depending on the height and weight of the deceased. , , The grave was also dug at this time; done by hands with picks and shovels and dug to fit the size of the coffin. Many times these tasks were done by neighboring families to allow the family of the deceased to grieve with the expectation that they would return the favor should a death occur in the neighbors' family. , , Following the graveside services the coffin would have been laid into the grave. A few final words said and then the grave was filled.