Freethought & Rationalism Archive

AtlanticCitySlave · 07-09-2002, 02:13 PM

I like cemetaries as well. First, many of them are very interesting to look at, including the sculpture of certain statues, when the people died, how old they were, who they're buried with (husbands, wives, etc.). Second, I have found a lot of very beautiful sayings on tombstones. This one husband wrote "For you were love" to his wife on her tombstone and, at least for me, I think my life would have been a little less richer if I never saw that. Third, and most importantly though, cemetaries are a constant reminder to me of where the end of the road is. And when I pass them I sort of tip my hat to all those buried hoping that I'm living a somewhat decent life since they are unable to live anymore of theirs. Perhaps oddly, it's a motivator to me that someday someone else will be standing over my grave the way I've stood over so many else's, and that I better get on with life before it's over.

Hedwig · 07-09-2002, 02:53 PM

When I went to New Orleans I went on the cemetery tour. (BTW, never go alone because the cemeteries are in a very bad neighborhood...I highly recommend going with a tour group...you get more history and the benefit of safety in numbers.) The cemeteries in NO are very beautiful. I took black and white film with me and got some great photos.

The tour guide told us what was said above about floating coffins early on in the tour...only his words ran something along the lines of: "They realized they had a problem with underground burial every time they had a heavy rain and had to watch grandma float down Bourbon street."

Creepy? Most definitely!

Funny nonetheless? Quite.

Personally, I'm going to be cremated and I've already instructed my family that I want my ashes taken up in a plane and dropped over either the Republican National Convention or the Southern Baptist Convention.

freemonkey · 07-09-2002, 03:04 PM

A few years ago I went to upstate New York, where early American generations of the paternal side of my family supposedly settled.

There was a very old cemetary there, with graves from the 1700's!! With my maiden name on them!! I must admit that it was very cool.

Hedwig · 07-09-2002, 03:16 PM

According to my friend who grew up there, there's apparently a really cool and creepy cemetery on the grounds of an old hospital (I believe no longer in use) in Wrentham (sorry if the spelling is off), Mass. Anyone been there?

chiron64 · 07-10-2002, 09:53 PM

I've been working on a voluntary cemetary transcription project for the USGenWeb Tombstone transcription project. (<a href="http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/index.html" target="_blank">Here</a> in case anyone is interested.) It's interesting to look at each marker and wonder what kind of person he or she was. It's also a bit like reading gossip: "Hmmmm, husband and wife. But she was 20 years younger than him! And here's yet another wife!" Sometimes it's sad, like the twins who died at birth. Some tombs have inscriptions, mostly religious. But three that I've encountered (apparently they were related, but it's not clear how) made me chuckle. The first read, "I'm ok". The next, "Me too, now". And the last, "I'm just resting my eyes." I'd like to have known these people! My work is <a href="http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/Texas/valverde.html" target="_blank">here</a>, complete with pictures.

beoba · 07-10-2002, 11:45 PM

How about if we made it where cemeteries doubled as golf courses... muhaha

Samhain · 07-11-2002, 12:47 AM

Quote:

Do cemeteries piss you off?

Yes, it pisses me off that some of you will have to die. I don't have that problem, though, I've made a pact with the devil! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Um, seriously, though, *snickers*...

Just curious, do cemetaries have to pay land tax? I mean, who cares if cemetaries take up land, well, I guess some of you do, but I think there are some cemetaries with some stunning sculptures.

[Edited to add a "c" to "snickers" - Samhain]

[ July 11, 2002: Message edited by: Samhain ]</p>

Monkeybot · 07-11-2002, 12:57 AM

I don't mind cemeteries. Visiting my grandfather's grave is, in my opinion, a good time to reflect on his life. Even if I don't believe in heaven or hell, it's still a tranquil place that helps keep my memories of him alive and in perspective.

Radcliffe Emerson · 07-12-2002, 07:52 AM

I have to admit, I tend to also think cemeteries are massive wastes of land.
Cremation's the way I want to go too, plus I've read studies that say cremation is healthier. Less working with corpses.

Babylon Sister · 07-12-2002, 11:45 AM

Archeologically and historically cemeteries are a gold mine of information. The thought of all those little time capsules in the ground is utterly facinating to me. And the sometimes incredible works of art on the tombstones are often inspiring.

Learning the history and meaning of the inscriptions and images on tombstones, and knowing the sometimes sordid history of modern cemeteries can give you a facinating insight into the attitudes and mores of the times.

I can't look a cemetery without thinking about how I would approach it archeologically if I got the chance to excavate it. Boy Howdy! What a great thought!

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07-09-2002, 02:13 PM	#21
AtlanticCitySlave Banned Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: New Jersey Posts: 251	I like cemetaries as well. First, many of them are very interesting to look at, including the sculpture of certain statues, when the people died, how old they were, who they're buried with (husbands, wives, etc.). Second, I have found a lot of very beautiful sayings on tombstones. This one husband wrote "For you were love" to his wife on her tombstone and, at least for me, I think my life would have been a little less richer if I never saw that. Third, and most importantly though, cemetaries are a constant reminder to me of where the end of the road is. And when I pass them I sort of tip my hat to all those buried hoping that I'm living a somewhat decent life since they are unable to live anymore of theirs. Perhaps oddly, it's a motivator to me that someday someone else will be standing over my grave the way I've stood over so many else's, and that I better get on with life before it's over.

07-09-2002, 02:53 PM	#22
Hedwig Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,921	When I went to New Orleans I went on the cemetery tour. (BTW, never go alone because the cemeteries are in a very bad neighborhood...I highly recommend going with a tour group...you get more history and the benefit of safety in numbers.) The cemeteries in NO are very beautiful. I took black and white film with me and got some great photos. The tour guide told us what was said above about floating coffins early on in the tour...only his words ran something along the lines of: "They realized they had a problem with underground burial every time they had a heavy rain and had to watch grandma float down Bourbon street." Creepy? Most definitely! Funny nonetheless? Quite. Personally, I'm going to be cremated and I've already instructed my family that I want my ashes taken up in a plane and dropped over either the Republican National Convention or the Southern Baptist Convention.

07-09-2002, 03:04 PM	#23
freemonkey Veteran Member Join Date: May 2001 Location: hell if I know Posts: 2,306	A few years ago I went to upstate New York, where early American generations of the paternal side of my family supposedly settled. There was a very old cemetary there, with graves from the 1700's!! With my maiden name on them!! I must admit that it was very cool.

07-09-2002, 03:16 PM	#24
Hedwig Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 3,921	According to my friend who grew up there, there's apparently a really cool and creepy cemetery on the grounds of an old hospital (I believe no longer in use) in Wrentham (sorry if the spelling is off), Mass. Anyone been there?

07-10-2002, 09:53 PM	#25
chiron64 Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: San Antonio Posts: 85	I've been working on a voluntary cemetary transcription project for the USGenWeb Tombstone transcription project. (<a href="http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/index.html" target="_blank">Here</a> in case anyone is interested.) It's interesting to look at each marker and wonder what kind of person he or she was. It's also a bit like reading gossip: "Hmmmm, husband and wife. But she was 20 years younger than him! And here's yet another wife!" Sometimes it's sad, like the twins who died at birth. Some tombs have inscriptions, mostly religious. But three that I've encountered (apparently they were related, but it's not clear how) made me chuckle. The first read, "I'm ok". The next, "Me too, now". And the last, "I'm just resting my eyes." I'd like to have known these people! My work is <a href="http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/Texas/valverde.html" target="_blank">here</a>, complete with pictures.

07-10-2002, 11:45 PM	#26
beoba Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Boston Posts: 699	How about if we made it where cemeteries doubled as golf courses... muhaha

07-11-2002, 12:57 AM	#28
Monkeybot Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: North Carolina Posts: 8,102	I don't mind cemeteries. Visiting my grandfather's grave is, in my opinion, a good time to reflect on his life. Even if I don't believe in heaven or hell, it's still a tranquil place that helps keep my memories of him alive and in perspective.

07-12-2002, 07:52 AM	#29
Radcliffe Emerson Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: the dark side of Mars Posts: 1,309	I have to admit, I tend to also think cemeteries are massive wastes of land. Cremation's the way I want to go too, plus I've read studies that say cremation is healthier. Less working with corpses.

07-12-2002, 11:45 AM	#30
Babylon Sister Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Wyoming Posts: 894	Archeologically and historically cemeteries are a gold mine of information. The thought of all those little time capsules in the ground is utterly facinating to me. And the sometimes incredible works of art on the tombstones are often inspiring. Learning the history and meaning of the inscriptions and images on tombstones, and knowing the sometimes sordid history of modern cemeteries can give you a facinating insight into the attitudes and mores of the times. I can't look a cemetery without thinking about how I would approach it archeologically if I got the chance to excavate it. Boy Howdy! What a great thought!

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