I was surprised to learn that many people are unaware that new cemeteries have not been allowed in San Francisco since 1900. There use to be more than 200,000 graves dug, but in 1900 the Board of Supervisors voted to stop all burials in the City and County of San Francisco, California. In fact many cemeteries were dug up and relocated. 

Presently, there are only two cemeteries in the City. One is located at the Old Presidio Army Base and is called The San Francisco National Cemetery/ The Presidio and the other is located at the Mission Dolores Church at 16^th and Dolores Streets. So why are new cemeteries not allowed in the city and county? 

In 1849 there was a Gold Rush and everybody and their brother wanted to move to San Francisco. The land became a precious commodity. The population began to grow and pressure was mounted to remove all of the dead from their resting places to make room for progress. By 1900 the ban on new cemeteries had taken effect.

Is it possible that land can become so precious in Montgomery, Alabama that we will be forced to remove the dead and bury them in surrounding counties? Have you noticed that we no longer place wreaths on the door of the home of the deceased? Is this a sign that we no longer respect the dead as we once did in earlier times? There is a saying that there are two things that you must do as a human. You must pay taxes and you must die. However will your final resting place really be forever? Will the powers that be in Montgomery, Alabama become so greedy for land that they dig up the dead? It can happen!

In the words of my dad: “Stay away from the pig ears and fried pork chops.  Eat more fruits and vegetables.”

Greg Griffin is a free lance writer. You can read his previous articles by visiting his web page at www.greggriffin.com or write to him at P.O. Box 250194 Montgomery, Alabama 36125-0194.