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Those
who conceived the idea of the modern cemetery anticipated the movement for
public parks. Cemeteries provided the
public with beautiful outdoor gathering spaces during a time when parks were
scarce. Out of the movement to beautify cemeteries arose a custom of gathering
in these new public spaces. Families picnicked near gravesites, and children
played there. Somewhere along the way, this practice fell by the wayside. The appreciation
of cemeteries has made a comeback in the digital age. Many genealogists have been using the
Internet and GPS systems to locate the graves of long lost ancestors. This renewed interest in cemeteries has
spread to an interest in photographing tombstones, the growth of in-depth
historical research, and even cemetery tourism.
Historic cemeteries are a treasure trove of art,
biography and philosophy, one’s last chance to shout out to posterity “This is
who I was, this is what was important to me”.
Art, symbols and inscriptions are called upon to succinctly capture the
essence of life in a beautiful and meaningful way.
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