After going to both the Pere Lachaise and Montparnasse cemeteries in Paris, I feel like Parisian cemeteries are laid out in a way that’s visually interesting, while US cemeteries are very uniform and dull.
Decoration
In Paris, the graves aren’t all just a stone in the ground, but miniature monuments or decorated with various materials, and allegorical figures or symbols representing the deceased’s faith. They are also more likely to house several cultural icons like Victor Noir, which turns them into minor tourist attractions.
In the US, graves are very sparsely decorated, usually with flags and flowers. Flat stones are preferred for ease of maintenance. Common motifs are angels, prayer hands, lambs and crosses.
Layout
In the US, cemeteries are a simple, grid-like layout with enough space between rows for hearses and vehicles. Crematoriums and mausoleums are separate from the rest of the grounds. In Paris, crematoriums and mausoleums are integrated into the grounds. They are also very dense and labyrinth-style, with graves tightly packed together with irregular, winding paths between clumps. Other than the main entrance and occasional spot to park a car deeper in the grounds, Parisian cemeteries are very pedestrian-oriented.