Liliana, Yes, the remains are dug up and put into a crypt (I think the correct word is ossuary). The grave is then reused. It has nothing to do with being Catholic. There is not enough room for all those bodies that have populated the islands since the 1400s. It's a necessity.
The only way the body remains is if the family pays a fee to keep the body longer. No, you won't find headstones. Cheri Mello Listowner, Azores-Gen Researching: Vila Franca, Ponta Garca, Ribeira Quente, Ribeira das Tainhas, Achada -- For options, such as changing to List, Digest, Abridged, or No Mail (vacation) mode, log into your Google account and visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/Azores. Click in the blue area on the right that says "Join this group" and it will take you to "Edit my membership." --- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Azores Genealogy" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. Visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/azores.
