Blog

Mapping Cemeteries

I
can no longer go anywhere without checking to see how many cemeteries there are
along the way and where they are located. 
A trip to Cincinnati or St Louis takes twice as long now – there has to
be stops at cemeteries, both coming and going.

St Michael & the Devil

Mausoleum

Friends
now understand when I launch off on a description of the latest stunning
statue, quirky name, or interesting mausoleum I’ve found.  Although they may not plan to spend their weekends in the cemetery, many have asked to ‘tag along’ when I’m heading out to spend the day.

I’ve
connected with hundreds of cemetery people doing this. It’s  amazing to realize what a
large community this is!  I love
the fact that this is such an accepting group of people. Cemetery lovers are very willing to share their knowledge.  Or to say, “I don’t know a thing about that.  Can anyone tell me more?”

The Grave of Mr Accordion

Grave of a Pet

A
Grave Interest has given me a reason to research and write about subjects I’m
really fascinated with!  Within the
past year, I’ve been able to delve into the lives of poets and musicians, to
explore slices of history, to learn more about grave markers, symbols, the cost
of dying, superstitions and legends, even pets in the cemetery.

Although it’s AGI‘s 2nd anniversary, my husband is still shocked that I can continually come up
with ideas for more blogs.  (When I
started, he wasn’t sure I would find enough to blog about for a year…. ; )  But the cemeteries offer up so many
ideas and opportunities for subjects to explore.  And you, the reader, propose ideas with your questions, and
offer wonderful suggestions. (I’m already filling the 2014 calendar with
ideas….)

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Hidden Graves

One
of the most popular posts for the past year dealt with Central State Hospital,
better known as the Indiana Insane Asylum and the adjacent cemetery http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2012/10/central-state-hosptial-indiana-insane.html.  The hospital buildings are now abandoned and the
cemetery lay in disrepair, a sad testament to those who passed through those doors.

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Digging a Grave By Hand

Another
well-liked post was about the High Cost of Dying http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2012/03/high-cost-of-dying-traditional-funeral.html.  An average funeral in the US runs about $8,000, and that does
not include the cemetery costs and other ‘incidentals’.  As my grandfather used to say, “Death is not for the faint-of heart”.

The Big Bopper

Buddy Holly

And
the most popular post for the
past year – The Day the Music Died http://agraveinterest.blogspot.com/2012/02/day-music-died.html.
This post took a look back at the plane crash that killed three men who have
been called the most promising stars of rock and roll –  J.P. Richardson – the Big Bopper,
Ritchie Valens, and Buddy Holly.

Gothic Mausoleum

Skull & Crossbones on Stone

And,
of course, the October haunted cemeteries series are always “frightfully fun”!  I love doing these!  This past year, I went to Chicago’s
Resurrection Cemetery, the Indianapolis Insane Asylum cemetery, Spring Grove in
Cincinnati, and Greenwood Cemetery in Decatur, searching for special haunts.

Facebook Cemetery Groups

I have found that it
doesn’t matter how you become involved in the cemetery community, whether
you’re a photographer, a tombstone tourist, a genealogist, a
writer, a sexton, or a blogger, you will discover that there are Facebook groups, blogs, and web sites where you can share photos, ideas, and insights.  One reason I believe this community is so approachable is an understanding that, “We all have a deep respect for the past, and, let’s face it, we all know where it’s gonna end…”