Final answer:
The evolution of American cemeteries reflects cultural and religious changes, transitioning from simple communal plots to diverse and personalized grave markers and tranquil spaces akin to parks.
Step-by-step explanation:
The evolution of American cemeteries reflects broader cultural and religious shifts over time. From the more austere and communal burial practices of the Puritans in New England, marked by simple plots and sometimes morbid iconography like winged death heads, the approach to commemoration has changed significantly. As religious practices changed, the variety of grave markers expanded, with more personalized and culturally diverse memorials appearing in the landscape.
In the nineteenth century, cemeteries began to be seen as tranquil settings akin to parks, where people could encounter death in a peaceful environment — a trend that can still be observed in places like Los Angeles, where immigrant families may continue their native cultural practices by spending relaxing days near their loved ones' graves without creepiness.
This shift can also be traced back to ancient practices, where the dead were buried with grave goods and marked by earth mounds or stele. And, as Christianity spread, the transformation from temple to church and from grand tombs to simpler burials became evident. Even in the context of grave markers, you see a range from folk shrines in areas with strong religious communities, to the ornate Celtic crosses and grand monuments dedicated to historical figures that blend art and cultural memory.