Why do the majority of cemeteries run east/west?

Question

Why do the majority of cemeteries run east/west?

Answer 1

Short Answer:  Fengshui.

Answer 2

I've never noticed that. That's an interesting observation though. If I were to guess, maybe it has something to do with tradition rooted in some sort of religious practice?

Goodluck? Better chances of getting into the afterlife or something close to that?

At least I tried. I wouldn't be surprised if it had something to do with tradition.

I know some cultures have this thing where they must face a certain direction when they're buried....

Answer 3

Long-winded answer coming your way....

The concise answer is ,"Graves are oriented, in some way, towards the east because that's the way we have always done it. Some graves are not oriented east because there is no real religious or cultural reason to do so." Now just a few random bits of info and thoughts.

There are more graves that "face" East than any other specific direction, possibly more than face other directions combined. The definition of "face" is open to interpretation, as kanjalid mentions it could depend on which end the head is on. But in many 'stone age' and especially Neanderthal graves the body is laid on its left side, sometimes in a near foetal position, with the head to the north so it is facing east. Bodies have been found from later periods laid on the back,head to the north, with the head turned left or east. A very few have been found with the head south and turned right to the east. It is unknown if this reversal of head direction is significant, but there is little doubt that the face was deliberately turned to the east. ( Talk about the way we have always done it, that is a looong always,)

The "why" of it is Sun Based Religion, in early religions and cultures the sun is very significant and always seen as the giver of life, even cultures so unsophisticated that they don't understand the birth process, realize that without the sun there would be no life. Egyptian religion and culture in general is perhaps the most solar centered and influenced of any. Definitely no culture approaches the Egyptians in death, burial, and afterlife rituals. Early Egyptian graves resemble the stone age burials, with more preparation of the body, most are head north with the entire body on the left side or at least the face turned east.

Later a simple rectangular coffin was used with the head north, on the left head side of the coffin a pair of stylized eyes, "wedjat" eyes were painted facing east so the spirit inside the box could see the rising sun. Even later as the whole burial process became more elaborate, with multiple sarcophagi and mummification and such,the facing east of the actual body was replaced with various ritualistic symbols.The covers of the sarcophagi, regardless of the orientation of the corpse's head, had paintings of the goddess of birth and/or re-birth facing left or east. By then Egyptian art had become so ritualistic and stylized that left nearly always symbolized East. Inner lids would have paintings of the goddess who assisted in the passage to the Land of the Dead facing right or west. Sometimes there would be a painting on the under side of the lids that faced west, but left since it was "upside down."

By the time of the pyramids and later more elaborate tombs, in addition to the goddess paintings and other symbolic images, the deceased were represented by statues that were oriented to face east.( Meso- American culture approaches the Egyptian solar-centricity and to a lesser extent the burial ritual complexity, and here we also find the east facing burials.)



Many of the Solar Theology rituals were adapted by the newer religions that replaced it,( For example Christianity adapted the Winter Solstice Festival into Christmas, and the Spring Equinox to Easter [Sunrise Services have no connection with the crucifixion and resurrection accounts] .) and explained old practices in light of the new theology. The new explanation, as posted by Jennifer, was, graves face east because that's where Jesus will return from. Though the Bible makes no mention of direction.

The actual orientation and position of graves is more a matter of practicality and the presence or lack of an overall plan. There are many graveyards laid out on the east facing slopes of hills, the actual graves may or may not be oriented facing east. A new graveyard may have originally been laid out with east facing graves, because that's just the way it is done or because somebody thinks there is a real or symbolic reason, but as it fills up graves are dug wherever they will fit. Others may be purposely planned with a different orientation because that's how the most graves will fit. Others might not be planned at all, new graves just go where there is space for them.



I have heard apocryphal stories of ultra crowded cemeteries where the graves are vertical and the bodies are buried standing up! I don't know if any care is taken to face the standees to the east. Man, I hope at least I get a chair, so I can sit for eternity. If I can't be laid to rest, I really don't wantta be standin around waitin for the resurrection. Especially if I'm lookin the wrong way and it sneaks up on me from behind and catches me by surprise before I see it comin.