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Locating Unmarked Graves

How to Locate Unmarked Graves in Cemeteries

Have the Unmarked Graves in Your Cemetery Located by a Nationally Recognized Expert

GeoModel, Inc. professionals are experts at locating unmarked graves in cemeteries. GeoModel, Inc. professionals use the non-intrusive geophysical method of Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) to locate unmarked graves, but they also use their over 20 years of experience to decipher the locations of unmarked graves.

During the unmarked grave detection survey, the located graves are marked on the ground with temporary paint. These paint marks made by GeoModel, Inc. can then be subsequently plotted on a map of the cemetery by a local land surveyor or by cemetery personnel.

Unmarked graves are common in many cemeteries, especially cemeteries that are over one hundred years old.   Cemetery unmarked grave records are often lost, vague, or incomplete.  There is often no surface expression of the unmarked grave burial location. Due to the sensitivity of these unmarked grave cemetery sites, the challenge is to explore the subsurface without disturbing the soil and burials. GPR is the only viable non-destructive method that can be used for unmarked grave detection.


GeoModel uses the plastic GPR cart for locating unmarked graves for cemetery surveys
Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) surveys are non-intrusive and ideal for locating unmarked graves in cemeteries. GeoModel, Inc. uses GPR to detect a number of features that help identify an unmarked grave, including:

  • The coffin or casket (wood, metal, lead lined, etc) or vault
  • Disturbed ground structure and excavation features
  • Movement or voids caused by collapse of the coffin or casket

GeoModel, Inc. conducted an unmarked grave detection survey at the Gallatin City Cemetery in Gallatin, Tennessee. The survey was conducted in the older slave section to locate unmarked graves in order to identify and accurately mark the locations of each grave. Hundreds of unmarked graves were detected in the 4-acre area that dates back to the 1800’s. The link to a video on NewsChannel5 is below, and an article in the Tennessean newspaper is further below.


GeoModel conducting a cemetery grave detection survey at Gallatin Cemetery in Tennessee

GeoModel_unmarked_graves_GPR

A GeoModel, Inc. unmarked grave location survey is conducted by an experienced Licensed Professional with over 20 years of grave locating experience. This professional is nationally recognized and has been in many newspapers nationwide (See articles below), and has been interviewed by Greta Van Susteren about using GPR to locate unmarked graves:

How Accurate is Ground Penetrating Radar for Locating an Unmarked Grave?

Recent unmarked grave interments (1 to 50 years old) generally produce very distinct grave anomalies in the GPR profile and are most easily detected. Older unmarked graves (50 to 200 years old or more) produce less distinct or minimal anomalies and are more difficult to detect. Remains of unmarked grave burials are easier to locate in sandy soils that do not contain tree roots or stones. In cases where a vault or casket does not exist, or where the casket has completely deteriorated, GeoModel, Inc. can examine the GPR data for disturbed soil, grave trenches, or other indications of the unmarked grave.

Arlington Cemetery GPR cemetery mapping survey

Many cemeteries have unmarked graves, old burials (less distinct GPR response), and more recent burials (more distinct GPR anomalies), as shown in the ground penetrating radar image above from the historic Arlington Cemetery.

GeoModel, Inc. indicates the locations of detected unmarked graves by painting on the ground with a single line positioned in the center of the unmarked grave, for the length of the unmarked grave. The locations of unmarked graves painted by GeoModel, Inc. can then be plotted on a map or aerial photo of the cemetery by a local surveyor or by cemetery personnel.

 

News Articles About GeoModel, Inc. Locating Unmarked Graves

GeoModel, Inc. has conducted numerous unmarked grave detection surveys that have significant interest to the local community, cemeteries, foundations, or government agencies.  Below are a few of the unmarked grave locating articles.

News Cemetery Fox News for Locating Graves

A GeoModel, Inc. cemetery survey to locate unmarked graves was featured in the Inside Nova newspaper on-line. The article is shown below:


Another GeoModel, Inc. cemetery survey was featured in the Tennessean Newspaper on-line, and is provided below:


Another unmarked grave location article is featured in our geomodel.com/news section, and is also included below:

GeoModel Cemetery Article 03_17_16 for Cemetery Mapping



News Cemetery Mapping Newsday Article


News Cemetery Avoca VA to detect graves


News Cemetery Bolivar Texas to locate unmarked graves


News Cemetery Mapping GPR Expert


GeoModel, Inc. conducted a ground penetrating radar survey to locate unmarked graves at the Waterford Cemetery in Waterford, Virginia.  The unmarked grave locating survey was featured on the Waterford Union of Churches Cemetery website:

Latest Project

Example of 6 Unmarked Graves Located by GeoMdoel Inc.

Case Study: Historic Cemetery in North Carolina

In May 2021, GeoModel, Inc. conducted a ground penetrating radar (GPR) survey to locate unmarked graves in an historic church cemetery near Black Mountain, North Carolina.  Over one acre was scanned … [read more]

GeoModel News

Historic Cemetery Survey in South Lake Tahoe, California

In 2020, GeoModel, Inc. conducted a Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) survey at the Historic Pioneer Cemetery located in South Lake Tahoe, California. GeoModel, Inc. located and confirmed 105 burials in … [read more]

Stanton Family Cemetery Survey Conducted by GeoModel, Inc.

Earlier this year in 2020, GeoModel, Inc. conducted a grave locating survey at the Stanton Family Cemetery in Buckingham County, Virginia.  The cemetery is approximately 65 feet by 68 feet and … [read more]

GeoModel

All GPR surveys are conducted or supervised by:

  • Certified Professional Geologists with More Than 20 Years of Experience
  • 40-Hour OSHA Hazwoper-Trained Professionals
  • ISNetworld Member Company
  • Operators using FCC-approved Equipment
  • Field crews available nationwide
  • Woman-Owned Small Business (WBE)

Quicklinks

  • What is Ground Penetrating Radar
  • Utility Location
  • Cemetery and Grave Location and Mapping
  • Sinkhole and Void Detection
  • Underground Storage Tank Detection and Buried Drum Detection
  • Geology, Bedrock and Geologic Hazards
  • Landfill Detection, Burial Trench Delineation, and Contaminant Plume Mapping
  • Concrete and Rebar Inspection
  • Archaeological and Environmental Studies
  • Brine Pits, Reserve Pits, Leaking Brine Pipes

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geomodel@geomodel.com
703-777-9788
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