If someone is buried next to someone else...?

Question:

If someone is buried next to someone else...?

does that mean they're related? there are gravestones beside my family that no one knows if they're related. "Thomas James" is buried beside "James S." of the same last name, and they're almost the same age. no one in my family knows, but is it safe to say they're related? how could I find out? (is it ok to bug churches about it for birth registration?)

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Often related family is buried together, but it just depends on space in the cemetery.

Your local library usually has either a genealogy department or access to genealogical records. Sometimes your library might have an index of your local paper, or at least of obituaries in the paper they might tell who is buried where.

Depending on how old it is, you can check with your local clerk of court or register of deeds. And yes, it is ok to ask the church or cemetery company about who's buried there. They usually keep pretty good records.