Thanks for the answers.  When I was searching the internet I came across an article from Berlin saying Germany wants to build a great pyramid to bury people, bigger than those in Egypt.  One of the links below said it would take 30 yrs to complete. http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/224733/Next_Great_Pyramid_made_in_Germany_ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_pyramid_monument http://www.dailygalaxy.com/my_weblog/2007/09/the-great-pyram.html Betty FL What were the 19th century burial practices in Germany? I suppose they were buried in the church cemetery. Did they have long-lasting markers such as we have? My family lived in a small town, Herda, Thuringen and were poor. Any chance of finding a marker from 1850-1900 if such things existed? I read that some country had plots leased for 100 yrs, then they were reused but don't remember if that was Germany. Betty FL