As Iowans prepare to decorate the graves of their loved ones this Memorial Day, some cities are struggling with cemeteries that are running out of space. Iowa State University’s Carlton Basmajian  is one of the few planners who studies cemetery use.

Basmajian says part of the issue is the general discomfort people sometimes have with talking about death.  But he says the issue of creating more cemetery space goes deeper than that.

Basmajian says many cities have found their cemeteries that used to be on the edge of town are now surrounded by development and there is no room for expansion.

Basmajian says as the baby boomers grow older, this is going to be a major issue in the next 30 years.