Post by Peter JasonIn England many churchyards are in poor condition with old gravestones
used as pathways.
Was this always so, and why is their no obligation to maintain the
graves?
Much smaller congrations, vicars now reponsible for two or more parishes and, presumably, a decline in the number of people who want to be sextons.
There is an upside, however. Unkempt churchyards have become havens for wildlife, particularly in cities, with badgers, foxes, deer and others making their homes there. We can probably blame the Romans for the introduction of the Black Rat to Britain, but the much more ubiquitous Brown Rat is post-medieval in Europe.
"Rewilded" graveyards have also become particularly important for pollinating insects.
As far as I am aware, the use of old gravstones as pathways in churchyards isn't common at all, although some long since abandoned and derelict churches have had their gravstones removed and turned into paths. No longer consecrated ground, presumably.
Walking over gravestones inside churches is altogether different, and nearly all English medieval churches have these in greater or lesser numbers for the local gentry built into the fabric of their floors.
There are still plenty of churchyards that are kept well-manicured, espcially for those which are tourist attractions with ancient yews or extant medieval lych-gates, etc.
Cheers,
David Read