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I know this may sound odd and maybe even stupid and of course I didn't dare ask this while I was on the island. But.... here goes, why do the cemeteries appear to be above ground?
Ron is correct about the the vault/tomb situation. STT Resident, it's actually more expensive to be buried in a Vault/tomb than in the ground, remember you actually have to buy the materials to have the vault built in addition to paying someone to complete the work. Regarding the dates on the tomb stones, my guess is that there may actually be another grave beneath the vault. Therefore, the one tomb stone maybe for both graves. As Ron stated it is actually more fashionable to be buried in a vault than in the ground and they are becoming more elaborate as the years go by.
Rhea: As Ron pointed out, topography is also a major consideration. STT is a volcanic island with, for the most part, minimal topsoil quickly going down to solid rock. The "vaults" constructed here aren't anything fancy or expensive - just basic cinderblock and mortar boxes.
The "three dates" I've no idea about. I spent several years involved in the renovation of the old Danish Cemetery on STT and none of the headstones there had anything but dob and dod. Curious indeed!
STT Resident: That may be true about the way in which the tombs are constructed, but the materials that are used to build the vaults still cost money. I can remember years ago when community and family ties were very strong on the island and people use to come together and build the tombs for free. The only thing that the family had to provide was the materials for building the tomb, food and drinks. The good old days. I don't know the cost of building a tomb now, but I guess Ron maybe able to find out the entire cost of one today. I guess the island has caught up with the states where money talks. Not a good thing but that's just the way things are now. If I am not mistaken, the only cost that someone had to pay for when burying in the ground was for the actual spot which was about $25.00 maybe more today. I do understand that the island is of volcanic origin but most of the cemeteries on the island are in flatter areas with exception of course to a few, so therefore, digging the braves wasn't that difficult. They even use to us a backhoe to dig the graves. I think what Ron was referring to is the new cemetery that was just open out east in the smith bay area. That cemetery is on a hillside so I can see why it maybe difficult to dig a six feet grave there. Everything has to do with traditions and culture, every country has there way of doing things.
