In most European countries, the "30 and out" rule applies. Those countries don't have the unilimited (or the atttiude that it is unilimited) space the US has. I believe in some areas one can renew the lease, so to speak, for quite a bit of money. The stones weren't always taken by family members, but form the base for many a road-bed or building foundation. England hasn't eradicated its old tombstones, thank goodness, and one can still find 400+ year old stones there. JHall