The Republic of Argentina is located on the southernmost tip of South America.
People of Italian and Spanish descent make up the majority of the people. It is
said that Argentina is the most Europeanized country in Central and South
America. The national religion is Catholicism, and the influence of the church
over politics, the economy and even society in general is significant.

When someone dies, the family obtains a doctor's medical certificate and
reports the death to the Registro Civil. The family initiates the arrangements for
the funeral, but the mortuary for the most part takes care of the details. The
wake is held at the family home on the night of the death or the following night.
The body is transported to the cemetery either by a flower car or hearse in the
style of a procession, and then, after the funeral in the chapel, it is buried.

There is only one crematorium, at the Chakarita Cemetery in the north-
western part of Buenos Aires. However, cremation is seldom performed, and it
is possible only when it is desired by the deceased's will or the family. Recent-
ly, more people are requesting cremation. Also there are more standardized
cemeteries in which the height of the tombstones is restricted to 80 centimeters.
In this cemetery, big mausoleum-style marble tombstones are erected for the
whole family. There are even huge tombstones, which are the size of houses.
Probably because about 10 percent of the population lives in the capital, there
are 23 other cemeteries in Buenos Aires. Older cemeteries usually have sections
divided according to race, religion and nationality.

The columbarium in the Chakarita Cemetery is unique and very interesting.
The surface ground is flat, and plants and flowers are planted on it. The

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