kalmistu

Kalmistu is the Estonian term for a cemetery, a designated place for burying the dead or interring cremated remains. Cemeteries typically contain graves, headstones or other memorial markers, and may include chapels, urn fields, mausoleums, or landscaped areas.

They are commonly owned and operated by municipalities, religious organizations, or private bodies. Burial plots are allocated or sold for long-term use, and records are kept for genealogical and administrative purposes.

Historically, burial grounds in Europe were often located near churches. Over time, many urban cemeteries were established outside city centers as populations grew and public health considerations evolved. Cremation and other memorial practices have become more common in recent decades.

Typical features include grave markers of varying materials and styles, family plots, and sometimes crematoria, mausoleums, or memorial gardens. Cemeteries are maintained by their managing bodies and follow local regulations regarding maintenance, access, and respectful conduct.

Beyond their function as burial spaces, kalmistud serve as places of memory, genealogy, and quiet reflection. They reflect cultural and religious practices related to death and remembrance and may host commemorations on special days.