Loren Rhoads - 199 Cemeteries to See Before You Die

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Text copyright 2017 by Loren Rhoads

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ISBN 978-0-316-47379-8

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W hen you stop to notice, you realize people are buried everywhere. Every tourist destination has a cemetery, from New York City to Hong Kong to the Isle of Iona. Some tourist destinations are tombs: the Great Pyramids of Egypt or the Taj Mahal or the Royal Mounds of Gamla Uppsala in Sweden, for instance. There are permanent residents in museums, houses of worship, ghost towns, battlegrounds even in national parks. You may have already visited someones grave without giving it a second thought, if youve been to Pompeii or Westminster Abbey or the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Why would anyone go out of the way to visit a graveyard intentionally? In addition to the fascinating stories they contain, cemeteries can be open-air sculpture parks full of one-of-a-kind artwork. They provide habitats for birds and wildlife, as well as arboretums and gardens of surprising beauty. Cemeteries appeal to art lovers, amateur sociologists, birdwatchers, master gardeners, historians, hikers, genealogists, picnickers, and anyone who just wants to stop and smell the roses. Our relationships with the places we visit can be deepened and enriched by learning the stories of those who cameand stayedbefore us.

While 199 cemeteries may seem like a lot, that number really just scratches the surface of the possibilities of cemetery travel. I wanted to spotlight beautiful places, because I think we sometimes overlook beauty in our rush through our day-to-day lives. I also wanted to focus on historical sites, especially places where history has changed in the telling over the years. I wanted to look at familiar stories and to remember lesser-known people, knowing as I did that any list of gravesites is idiosyncratic and reflects the collectors fascinations and eccentricities.

I tried to include as wide a range of locations and cultures as possible, while being reminded that permanent grave markers are a luxury not everyone can affordand not every culture chooses to create permanent memorials to their forebears. Sometimes I couldnt find enough information about a site to write an entry. Other times, the graveyards were too fragile for visitors. This book is by no means the final word on funeral customs, because humans are so various in their traditions. Hopefully, your curiosity will be sparked and youll use this book as a jumping-off place to learning more.

Rule number one about visiting cemeteries is to be respectful. Dont interrupt or impede mourners. Even cemeteries that are closed to new burials deserve to be treated like something precious and irreplaceable, because they are. Just as you would when visiting a pristine wilderness, take nothing but photographs. If you find a grave marker thats brokenor in danger of breakinglet the grounds crew or office staff know. Leave everything where you find it so the next visitor can enjoy it as much as you have.

Whether you take a tour or follow a guidebook or simply wander on your own, be aware of your surroundings. Most graveyards are safer than city streets, but if you feel unsafe, listen to your intuition. Ive never had any problems on my cemetery travels, but I have seen rattlesnake skins shed in the grass and roamed alone to some pretty isolated spots. Stay alert.

Theres nothing like visiting a cemetery to give you a little perspective, to remind you that every day aboveground is a good day. I hope you find some inspiration for your travels here.