I love cemeteries. I love to photograph headstones. Is this odd?

Question

Cemteries are calming to me. So much history. I am just fascinated by this. Often on weekends this is where I find myself. My friends think I have lost it. I get a lot of grief over this. I am not goth or anything like that. I am a normal 30 plus year old woman who lives a normal, single life. I have lots of free time and love history. The two go together quite well. Is what I am doing that odd? I am begining to wonder.

Answer 1

Not odd at all! I also love cemetaries, which was probably inherited from my mother who loves them too. I'm not into anything dark, it's just fascinating to think that these were real people who had to survive in whatever era they were living - that they had hopes and dreams and families and experiences. The older stones are particularly interesting as they give so much detail.
I am totally with you. I love wandering around cemetaries absorbing the feeling of our past. In Australia, some of our oldest cemetaries are in Tasmania - amazing! Tells us so much of our history and the way people lived and how they were remembered by those left behind.

Answer 2

I also love cemeteries and have been known to go looking for old, forgotten family plots and abandoned cemeteries. Those are usually found in rural areas, so I ask the locals when I find myself near a small town. I like to do tombstone rubbings with paper and charcoal then I spray them (use hairspray - 'tis cheap) to set them. I have a huge collection of these. I was actually a docent at our local historical cemetery and guided tours as part of my job. I'd tell stories about the people buried there who were significant in the history of the region, interesting stories we had researched at the library in the historical records about common folks buried there and explain some of the cemetery symbolism. Around Halloween we did lantern tours and told local ghost legends, too. ☺☺☺ Back home when I was still in Uni, I actually was a volunteer for an archaeological dig on an old Viking-era burial mound. I thought it was important for someone who honored the same deities be there for it. I'm not sure why, really, but ever since then I've just felt it was very important to honor our beloved dead more than we do in modern times. Even the non-famous, or non-"glamorous" or the ones who didn't touch us or our own ancestors personally. I've visited Colma now that I live in the US (California, even!). I found it fascinating, if a bit too modern compared to my usual haunts. I still want to go see more of it, though. So no - you're not alone. You are honoring our beloved dead in your own way whether you realize it or not.

Answer 3

Sounds like we have a hobby in common. I don't think there is anything odd at all about it. I love visiting various cemeteries, as well. They are full of history. There are some very old ones in my area, and I enjoy walking thru the grounds, observing the headstones, contemplating life/death, my ancestors, etc. It's a time I relish, alone with my thoughts and wonderings. I'll frequently find myself cleaning around an unkempt grave, just because it needs it. It gives me peace.

Don't worry about what your friends think. If you enjoy it, continue doing it.

Answer 4

Of course not. You are entirely correct, there is so much history there, and every headstone holds the story of a life. They are often full of humor, and art as well, and of course there are great oddities to be found as well.
If you were living in England or Europe, you would find that many many people share your enjoyment, seems every church is a celebration of someone's grave. You also may find that you can meet someone with your interests, so you may not even be single for long.

Answer 5

I didn't read all your answers, so I apologize if I am repeating an answer. Have you considered the art of tombstone rubbings? I'm sure there must be a web site that will tell you how to make them. It might be a way of preserving your most memorable ones. I don't think your interest is odd. There is some beautiful art there.

Answer 6

To each his /her own I say! I like strolling through cemetaries to see the first names of people who lived 75-100 years ago. It's surprising how many of the names are still being used today. It is a peaceful place for a walk. you can hear the birds singing and no traffic noise depending on the location.

Answer 7

I don't find it odd at all. I've taken photos of my daughter's and dad's headstones. If I can't visit in person, at least I can see where they're laid to rest.
You could compile a book of sorts; maybe the groundskeeper might be interested in having the info.

Answer 8

Cemeteries are nice in the ways you described sometimes. I don't think it's odd- dancing around the headstones and singing the Ya-ya sisterhood song- now THAT's odd.

Answer 9

Have you checked out "Find a Grave"? It's a website that shows people graves and obits. If you go through the website there's a section where loved ones request pictures of a gravestone. Maybe this is something you can look into.

http://www.findagrave.com/

(Edit: Delta, sorry I didn't realize you'd posted this info already.)

Answer 10

My husband goes each weekend to photograph headstones around here from requests off the findagrave.com website.
People who live in other parts of the country who can't get to the cemeteries around here post the names, he looks them up, takes a picture of it and posts it to the person asking for it. They apparently have a very active community at that site.

It's not as weird as the Southern tradition of taking pictures of dead people in their caskets at the wakes.