Final answer:
The term 'family plots' typically refers to designated areas in formal cemeteries rather than burials on private land today, making the statement false. This reflects a shift in Americans' attitudes towards death and the evolving practices of memorializing the deceased over centuries. Increased maintenance costs and environmental impact are leading to growing popularity in alternatives to traditional burial.
Step-by-step explanation:
When the cemetery act refers to "family plots," it is indeed talking about the regulations regarding burials on private land instead of in a formal cemetery, which is false. Historically, backyard cemeteries or family plots were situated somewhere on a family's property, which may have been practical generations ago. Today, however, there are various reasons, including legal and cultural, that generally forbid such private burials. It's important to note how cultural practices and attitudes toward the dead have changed over time.
For example, 19th-century cemeteries influenced the development of park-like spaces, and while some modern cemeteries retain park-like characteristics, others have transitioned to a more uniform and maintenance-friendly design with flat grave markers known as lawn cemeteries.
The transformation in Americans' attitudes toward death and burial is evident from the historical perspective of treating cemeteries as tranquil places for recreation to considering them eerie and undesirable in one's backyard. Furthermore, increasing costs and environmental concerns associated with traditional burials have led more people to consider alternatives like cremation or natural burial.