Potter's field

Potter's field is a term used to describe a burial ground for individuals who are unknown, indigent, or have no known next of kin, often managed by New York City Department of Parks and Recreation or other municipal authorities like the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services. The concept of a potter's field has its roots in Biblical times, with references to the Gospel of Matthew and the Book of Acts, where Judas Iscariot's betrayal money was used to purchase a field from a Jerusalem potter. This field, also known as Akeldama, became a burial ground for strangers and the poor, much like the Potters Field in London, which was used during the Black Death pandemic. The idea of a potter's field has been adopted by various cities, including New York City, where the Hart Island potter's field is managed by the New York City Department of Correction.

● Definition and Origin

The term "potter's field" originates from the Bible, specifically the Gospel of Matthew, where it is described as a field purchased with the thirty pieces of silver returned by Judas Iscariot after his betrayal of Jesus Christ. This field, also known as Akeldama, was used as a burial ground for strangers and the poor, much like the Potters Field in London, which was used during the Black Death pandemic. The concept of a potter's field has been adopted by various cities, including New York City, where the Hart Island potter's field is managed by the New York City Department of Correction, in collaboration with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene and the New York City Medical Examiner's Office. The National Funeral Directors Association and the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association provide guidelines for the management of potter's fields, which are often used as a last resort for individuals who cannot afford a traditional burial, such as those who died during the Spanish flu pandemic or the AIDS epidemic.

● Historical Context

Throughout history, potter's fields have been used to bury individuals who were unknown, indigent, or had no known next of kin, often during times of crisis, such as the American Civil War, the World War I, and the 1918 flu pandemic. The New York City potter's field on Hart Island has been in use since the 19th century, with over a million burials, including those of Typhoid Mary, Dorothy Kilgallen, and other notable individuals, such as Harry Houdini and Babe Ruth. The Los Angeles County potter's field, managed by the Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, has also been used to bury individuals who died during the Great Depression and the Korean War. The United States Department of Veterans Affairs and the American Red Cross often provide assistance with burials in potter's fields, particularly for veterans and their families, such as those who served in the Vietnam War or the Gulf War.

● Modern Usage

Today, potter's fields continue to be used in many cities, including New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago, often in conjunction with morgue facilities, such as the New York City Medical Examiner's Office and the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. The National Association of Medical Examiners and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences provide guidelines for the management of potter's fields, which are often used as a last resort for individuals who cannot afford a traditional burial, such as those who died during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Federal Emergency Management Agency and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention often provide assistance with burials in potter's fields, particularly during times of crisis, such as the Hurricane Katrina disaster and the September 11 attacks. The New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation also play a role in the management of potter's fields, often in collaboration with the National Park Service and the United States Forest Service.

● Notable Examples

Notable examples of potter's fields include the Hart Island potter's field in New York City, which has been in use since the 19th century, and the Los Angeles County potter's field, which has been used to bury individuals who died during the Great Depression and the Korean War. Other notable potter's fields include the Potters Field in London, which was used during the Black Death pandemic, and the Potter's Field in San Francisco, which was used during the Gold Rush era. The Alcatraz Island potter's field, managed by the National Park Service, is also a notable example, as it was used to bury individuals who died while incarcerated at the Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary, including Al Capone and George Kelly Barnes. The Arlington National Cemetery and the Gettysburg National Cemetery also have potter's fields, which are used to bury veterans and their families, such as those who served in the World War II and the Korean War.

● Cultural Significance

Potter's fields have significant cultural and historical importance, often serving as a reminder of the social and economic conditions of a particular time and place, such as the Great Depression and the Civil Rights Movement. The New York City potter's field on Hart Island has been the subject of numerous documentaries, including those by PBS and HBO, and has been featured in various works of literature, such as those by Charles Dickens and Edgar Allan Poe. The Los Angeles County potter's field has also been featured in film and television, including the TV show CSI: Crime Scene Investigation and the movie Chinatown, which was directed by Roman Polanski and starred Jack Nicholson and Faye Dunaway. The National Endowment for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Humanities often provide funding for projects related to potter's fields, such as the Hart Island Project, which was developed by the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation and the New York City Department of Correction.

● Legislative Framework

The management of potter's fields is often governed by local and national laws, such as the New York City Administrative Code and the California Health and Safety Code, which regulate the use of potter's fields and ensure that individuals are buried with dignity and respect. The National Funeral Directors Association and the International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association provide guidelines for the management of potter's fields, which are often used in conjunction with morgue facilities, such as the New York City Medical Examiner's Office and the Los Angeles County Department of Medical Examiner-Coroner. The Federal Trade Commission and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau also play a role in regulating the funeral industry, including the use of potter's fields, particularly in relation to the Funeral Rule and the Cemetery Act. The United States Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation often investigate cases of funeral home abuse and cemetery desecration, which can involve potter's fields, such as the Tri-State Cremation scandal and the Aldridge Funeral Home scandal. Category:Cemeteries