Why do cemeteries have fences? Because people are dying to get in!
I'll just leave this here:
https://youtu.be/_fb33PrnxtA
Gravedigging 101
21–30 of 52 posts
Re: Gravedigging 101
#22Earlier quoted context omitted.
> in the UK you dig a hole with a hoe (Pedantic Brit here) I think most Brits would say 'with a spade' if asked how to dig a hole and would use a hoe to break up soil, disrupt weeds, harvest roots, etc [0]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoe_(tool)
As a Brit, I would say the same. However it may be some specialised terminology - for instance the wooden beams that support the coffin over the grave before it is lowered are "putlocks", a word I had not come across before. So it would not surprise me if a sexton referred to a spade as a hoe.
(going down a rabbit hole now. I think that's the right phrase)
There are loads of sites that offer grave digging services or equipment (e.g. [0]) although none mention hoes that I can see. However, I did find more about the use of hoes to actually dig holes (coming back to the original subject): [1]. How could I have forgotten about 'mattocks'.
[0] https://www.equipter.com/equipter-articles/grave-digging-too...
Re: Gravedigging 101
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
As a Brit, I would say the same. However it may be some specialised terminology - for instance the wooden beams that support the coffin over the grave before it is lowered are "putlocks", a word I had not come across before. So it would not surprise me if a sexton referred to a spade as a hoe.
(going down a rabbit hole now. I think that's the right phrase) There are loads of sites that offer grave digging services or equipment (e.g. [0]) although none mention hoes that I can see. However, I did find more about the use of hoes to actually dig holes (coming back to the original subject): [1]. How could I have forgotten about 'mattocks'. [0] https://www.equipter.com/equipter-articles/grave-digging-too... [1]…
I have a mattock for breaking up the clods on my allotment.
Re: Gravedigging 101
#24Earlier quoted context omitted.
As a Brit, I would say the same. However it may be some specialised terminology - for instance the wooden beams that support the coffin over the grave before it is lowered are "putlocks", a word I had not come across before. So it would not surprise me if a sexton referred to a spade as a hoe.
(going down a rabbit hole now. I think that's the right phrase) There are loads of sites that offer grave digging services or equipment (e.g. [0]) although none mention hoes that I can see. However, I did find more about the use of hoes to actually dig holes (coming back to the original subject): [1]. How could I have forgotten about 'mattocks'. [0] https://www.equipter.com/equipter-articles/grave-digging-too... [1]…
It's possible that the word "hoe" is rarely written down in this context. I wasn't able to find "putlock" in this context on the web, although I found a blockchain protocol where the name clearly linked the words "grave" and "putlock"
Re: Gravedigging 101
#25Why do cemeteries have fences? Because people are dying to get in!
I'll just leave this here: https://youtu.be/_fb33PrnxtA
Re: Gravedigging 101
#26I recently learned that home burials are legal in most U.S. states. Gravedigging is hard work, but I think burying a loved one on their own property (with the help of some friends/family) is a nice alternative to a cemetery/graveyard. Also, here's a free pet peeve: it's only a graveyard if it's next to a church. You're welcome!
Two fun facts delivering strong ROI for my visit to HN today, much appreciated!
Re: Gravedigging 101
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
> in the UK you dig a hole with a hoe (Pedantic Brit here) I think most Brits would say 'with a spade' if asked how to dig a hole and would use a hoe to break up soil, disrupt weeds, harvest roots, etc [0]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoe_(tool)
As a Brit, I would say the same. However it may be some specialised terminology - for instance the wooden beams that support the coffin over the grave before it is lowered are "putlocks", a word I had not come across before. So it would not surprise me if a sexton referred to a spade as a hoe.
A backhoe[1] is not a hoe in the gardening sense, but the colloquial American term for an excavator. You might call it a JCB.
Re: Gravedigging 101
#28Earlier quoted context omitted.
I friend of mine asked to borrow my hoe. After me saying '?' and '!', then he explained that, yes, in the UK you dig a hole with a hoe.
> in the UK you dig a hole with a hoe (Pedantic Brit here) I think most Brits would say 'with a spade' if asked how to dig a hole and would use a hoe to break up soil, disrupt weeds, harvest roots, etc [0]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoe_(tool)
I think you're correct, but if you need to dig a big hole I strongly recommend a mattock. (Source: too much archaeology)
Re: Gravedigging 101
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
> in the UK you dig a hole with a hoe (Pedantic Brit here) I think most Brits would say 'with a spade' if asked how to dig a hole and would use a hoe to break up soil, disrupt weeds, harvest roots, etc [0]. [0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hoe_(tool)
I think you're correct, but if you need to dig a big hole I strongly recommend a mattock. (Source: too much archaeology)
Huh, TIL that what I always called a pickaxe is actually called a mattock.
Re: Gravedigging 101
#30>>In terms of practicality, before the coffin enters the ground the amount of earth leaving and returning to the hole must be considered – if none was removed from the pile of earth, there will be a large mound left once the grave is filled in. If too much is taken, you’ve got a trough-shaped problem on your hands.
I made this mistake burying the cat in the back garden. There is now a dent in the lawn where I buried him.