Why Visit a Cemetery?
There are countless ways you can engage with your local burial ground as a curious community member.
In the initial months of the COVID-19 pandemic, working class city dwellers in Chicago with no yards and no access to public parks began to realize the necessity of (and eventually the availability of) alternative outdoor spaces.
As Chicago closed its public parks, cemeteries found themselves becoming a staple outdoor retreat for many individuals who had never spared them a thought before. This increase in overall foot traffic where there was no infrastructure for more caused some cemeteries to close their doors to all but mourners. Other necropolises began to recognize an opportunity and have found appropriate ways to respond to their neighbors’ need for restful and rejuvenating shared spaces.
The ongoing pandemic has also exacerbated another socio cultural issue- a distinct lack of ‘third places’. Third places are communal spaces distinct from the home (first space) or work (second space), and are most ideally able to be enjoyed without spending money. This last caveat presents a challenge in today’s intersection of demanding work schedules, unforgivingly low wages, and the normality of paid “experiences”.
With more attention on how cemeteries can function as welcoming, community-oriented spaces, we have put together just a few avenues to begin exploring your local cemetery below!
If you are ever unsure as to what is or is not allowed at any given cemetery, we will be posting a helpful guide to navigating your local cemetery soon! It’s also always a good idea to call your cemetery and ask- the staff is there to help you!
Recreational Spaces
Many modern cemeteries are designed with features that encourage recreational activities. Walking trails, open green spaces, and well-maintained landscapes create an environment where people can enjoy outdoor activities, such as jogging, picnicking, or birdwatching.
Check with the cemetery office to see if pets are allowed on the cemetery grounds, and always keep your pets leashed and picked up after. You never know what wildlife will make an appearance, and mourners may not necessarily appreciate your super friendly lab running up to their graveside picnic with their loved one either.
Please note that sporting activities such as soccer, catch, and other ball-sports are not considered respectful at cemeteries, even if the grounds contain large, ‘unoccupied’ areas. Swimming and fishing should also occur at a cemetery, and such activities are incredibly disrespectful to mourners, fellow visitors, and wildlife. Reading on a blanket quietly is one thing- sunbathing in a swimsuit is clearly another. Use your best judgement when in doubt, and remember that there may be mourners visiting loved ones or active funerals nearby.
The thought of making use of our cemeteries as anything other than for burial can be intimidating, especially at cemeteries where there are still active burials. Simply stay mindful, and you'll discover many marvelous things along your way.
Community Events
Many cemeteries host a variety of events, from cultural celebrations, educational programs, informational sessions, birdwatching walks, and more. These events bring people together, fostering a sense of community and shared experience that can be great for meeting new people and kindling shared interests.
Check out your local cemetery’s website, Facebook page, or Instagram page to keep track of news and events. Search for ‘cemetery tours’ or ‘cemetery events’ on Eventbrite and sites like TripAdvisor. If you are unsure if your cemetery hosts events, call the office and ask the staff if there are any regular tours or upcoming events to be aware of and how you can stay up-to-date in the future.
Art and Culture
Cemeteries often feature artistic elements, including sculptures, memorials, and architectural structures. These serve not only as memorials but also as cultural and artistic attractions, contributing to the city's cultural identity.
See if you can spot common cemetery symbols, like willow trees, angels, clasped hands, and urns. Many famous architects and artists design their own tombstones or mausoleums, and some are registered as National Historic Places or possess other dedications of note. Mausoleums, especially older ones in good condition, often have beautiful stained glass within their interiors, visible only by walking up and peeking through the windows- don’t be afraid to go and look at things if they are interesting to you!
Art students may find themselves drawn to the statues of figures holding laurels or anchors, while a guitarist may find a space to sit and practice in the shade of a memorial pavilion. Photographers of all walks have been captivated with both monuments and wildlife within cemeteries, and the interplay between the manmade and the natural can create compelling enough compositions to populate hundreds of cemetery-related hashtags.
Historical and Educational Spaces
Many cemeteries have historical significance not just for their own history and design but because they host the graves of notable individuals. They become educational spaces where visitors can learn about local history, prominent figures, and the evolution of the community around them.
Schools can tour cemeteries as ways to provide students with a tangible connection to history. Walking a physical site of the last earthly mark of an, activist, leader, or pioneer can be a powerful experience. See if your local cemetery has a list of notable individuals or any self-guided tours that you can use to plan a trip.
For non-students, cemetery tours are a great way to learn a lot about the culture, history, and values of place in a little amount of time, whether you’re a new resident or a tourist.
Even wandering around the grounds of a cemetery can reveal little surprises with every stone: in Chicago, one may stumble upon a victim of the Titanic disaster in the same vicinity as heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson.
Quiet Retreats
Despite their ability to facilitate burials and operate as a community space, cemeteries can still provide peaceful and quiet retreats within a bustling urban environment for mourners and visitors alike.
These serene spaces offer individuals a place for contemplation, reflection, and meditation for those experiencing grief, whether a loved one is resting there or not.
Ponds and reflection pools provide spaces for literal and metaphorical reflection.
Listen for birdsong, wind moving through the trees, and other soothing sounds of nature. Urban cemeteries can provide a respite from the seemingly constant barrage of noise pollution of larger cities.
Some monuments, such as those styled as benches or memorial pavilions, were designed with visitors in mind. Feel free to sit for a while.
Ecological Oases
Some modern cemeteries prioritize ecological sustainability, incorporating green burial practices and wildlife-friendly landscapes. This contributes positively to local ecosystems, promoting biodiversity and sustainability.
Even if a cemetery does not actively prioritize ecological sustainability, simply by existing as a habitat these spaces attract unique species of plants and animals. As Popular Science puts it, “…unique greenspaces like urban cemeteries can play an unexpected, yet important conservation role in cityscapes. Recent research from around the world has shown that the sacred spaces support a wide array of life, including many protected species that would otherwise be squeezed out by the human thrum.”
As an example of the ecological niches cemeteries create, a recent Greenwood mycology study confirmed the presence of several rare species of mushrooms growing within the New York burial ground’s walls. As more scientists and researchers become interested in studying cemetery ecosystems, more cemeteries are opening their doors to research projects and long-term studies.
Cemeteries are also sanctuaries for migratory birds and butterflies, and both beginner and seasoned birdwatchers can find success in spotting wide varieties of species.
Deer and coyotes are regular residents of not only rural but also urban cemeteries as human infrastructure forces them to adapt to changing environments. The extensive ecosystems of plants and animals within a burial ground can easily support these larger animals for generations.
Community Gardens
Some cemeteries have begun to incorporate community gardens where residents can participate in gardening activities. This not only enhances the aesthetics of the cemetery but also fosters a sense of community involvement.
Historically, gardening has been a very real and viable way to navigate grief. A style of monument called a ‘cradle grave’, also called tombs in the French style, was popular in the Victorian era. The monuments consist of a headstone and a footstone, with two low stone sides connecting them. The assembly creates a raised bed designed to hold plantings to memorialize the person buried below. Most of these cradle grave gardens would have originally been planted and maintained by the family of the deceased, but over the decades and near centuries they have been abandoned as families moved away or discontinued the tradition.
Gardening can be an engaging tool in processing grief. Gardening, when used as a therapeutic practice, may stimulate the senses and ground the individual in a physical task during times of stress.
Exercise and Wellness
With well-designed paths and green areas, cemeteries provide opportunities for light exercise and wellness activities, promoting a healthy lifestyle for nearby neighbors.
Again, always check with the cemetery office to see if activities such as cycling, rollerblading, or jogging are allowed on the grounds. Regardless, if you are respectful and aware of your surroundings, you can always walk around a cemetery for some low-impact, scenic exercise. The same goes for stretching, just as long as you make sure not to use any headstones as yoga blocks during your session! Again, rely on your best judgement, and stay mindful.
Meditation and journaling are wonderful, quiet cemetery activities, and do not require you to ‘put yourself out there’ in the same was as jogging or yoga. Finding a shady spot beneath a tree or a seat near a reflecting pool can be a surprisingly good way to spend an afternoon practicing mindfulness.
Check back soon for Coimetromania’s article on navigating your local cemetery!