5 Things You Never Did in a Cemetery (Probably)


Grave Rubbings: Lightweight paper, masking tape, black crayon, a cardboard wrapping paper tube to roll up and store the work, a lightweight dustpan brush to clean the surface. Cover the entire front with paper and wrap it around and tape it. Use the flattest surface of the crayon to make light even strokes. Step back and see if you need to go over any variations in the tone of it so it's even. Clean up everything you used and never leave litter behind. Roll it up and put it in the cardboard tube.

Cemetery Tours: A lot of historic cemeteries offer tours. Why would you do this? Because they do a wonderful job. Many of them wear period costumes, take you around to the famous or infamous graves and learn a lot about the town.

Inventory: Some state's cemetery associations list the cemeteries they need inventoried, but you can also check places like this one online. You can go to a cemetery that hasn't been accounted for, take photos, write down the grave information and submit it. It's a wonderful way to help out.

Ghost Hunt: Most cemeteries don't allow you to stay after dark, but there are those rural ones that are without posting and open access. These can be a good place to give yourself an experience with ghost hunting. Go before dark, get to know the place and take photos of it beforehand because later if you find something on a picture, you might want to compare it and see how it looked in daytime. I've often found colored signs and flowers and vases that with the flash at nighttime looked like something magical. If it's a quiet location, try EVP. Sit down at a grave. I suggest you go to a newly visited one, they generally have more activity. Do not be surprised if you run into shadow people. These are actually very often seen in cemeteries, small human-shaped opaque black figures darting around.

Clean-up: Bring a large trash bag and a handful of flowers. Leave flowers on the graves of those long-forgotten and no longer visited because they are so long gone. Say their name out lout. Now, go around and set vases upright, pick up trash, and leave the place knowing that you attended to those who were unable to do so for themselves.

Comments

  1. 1) My mind saw "Grave Robbings"
    2) I've cleaned up at a cemetery before. Sure, it was community service, but it still counts.

    Never heard of Inventorying, but I guess it is needed.

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  2. i am not a cemetery lover , but these things can make graveyard visits captivating and curious.

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  3. While not as fun as midnight graveyard sex, these still sound like interesting things to do.

    The next time I visit dad-in-law, I'll give some/all a shot.

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  4. Did somebody say graveyard sex? LOL! :)

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  5. I truly have never done none of those.

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  6. Yes, #6 would be graveyard sex. Guess, I've done everything on the list.

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  7. I've done several of the cemetery tours in New Orleans... I would love to do a night one... they are haunting anyway...

    ~shoes~

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  8. Oh, that'd be amazing. I can't imagine going to the cemeteries there at night!

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  9. You know, this post got me to thinking (that's scary as Hell...) There is this GREAT old cemetery in Memphis... 'The Elmwood Cemetery' that is full of famous/infamous people from Memphis' history... each Hallowe'en, they have tours with people dressed in period clothing. My brother has made several of these (at night) and he says that some of the people just seem to step from the darkness... He highly recommends going.

    ~shoes~

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  10. I've been a hostess in period costume as the first mayor of Phoenix's wife on a tour of our downtown cemetery. It was a blast. They do one on Halloween time, but I think they need to do a lantern tour. There are some dark and infamous people buried there. They really are chill inspiring at nighttime.

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  12. I do like to stay out of cemeteries... lol.

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  13. Good ideas all....except Eric's. One would have to hurry with outdoor "exposure" like that and who wants to hurry?

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  14. I keep meaning to start doing rubbings but you have to really be careful with the old ones as you can cause more deterioration. Cleaning them with a soft brush before is a must do before a rubbing. I've never done one, but I know the proper "protocol" LOL. Crazy huh? Of all people, you'd think your little sis would have done this numerous times! I have though on my visits, if I see something turned over, I always try to make a point to upright it. It's just the right thing to do!

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  15. Lil Sis;
    You could make wonderful art based on rubbings. Go for it!

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  16. Alas, if I would do any of these here in Hungary, I would be shot in the head at the spot (or, alternatively, carried away to the police station and interrogated...) People are soooo narrow-minded here, and I, a devoted taphophile, can only visit cemeteries while I do as if I have somebody in them. Blah.

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  17. Dirgesinger;
    That's sad. Cemeteries are some of the most peaceful and beautiful parks.

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