Some people don't like cemeteries, they creep them out and find them morbid. Not me, I find them peaceful, beautiful and interesting. Don't get me wrong, I'm not some Goth type with black lipstick and fingernails. I just enjoy the quiet stillness in them. First a little cemetery history. Before 1831 there were no large cemeteries just small family burial plots or church cemeteries. Eventually churches ran out of room or couldn't afford the upkeep and the large sprawling cemeteries began taking shape. They were regularly set away from the city, people didn't want to be reminded of death. Often the cemetery was landscaped with trees, shrubs and paths. Ultimately the public realized how beautiful the cemeteries were and with few public parks they took to visiting the cemetery for picnics and strolling. Today people jog, walk their dogs and I've seen kids playing in cemeteries. In the 19th century the entrance gates were very ornate ironwork with arches and other decorations. Inside the grounds the grave stones were often ornate as well with angels, trees, animals and statues. You actually learned a little about the person who was laid to rest there. Sometimes the cause of death was on the stone or how they were thought of, maybe a quote or what they were in life; wife, mother, daughter etc.
Over the course of time cemeteries have changed. The stones in some cemeteries are flat into the ground with just the name. I stay away from those. Others may have upright flat stones with very little on them, just the name and dates without any carvings. Now a newer technique has entered the marketplace; laser etching. I'm not crazy about it but to each his own. I wouldn't choose it but it can look good.
I was amazed the first time I saw this stone in one of the local cemeteries. Matthew was murdered in 1995 and was a sad story. I think the stone was tastefully done; it captures him in the prime of his young life doing what he loved.
I would never question the choice of a grieving parent but I just don't know what to think of this.
This stone is life size. just over 3 feet tall and startled me when I first saw it. While it's obvious to me that this child was very loved I know I would have never done this. For me it just seems odd.
Here's the back side of it. It's always tragic when a young person dies and I hope I never have to make a decision like this. I only know what I want. I don't really have a problem facing my own mortality. While it's not a pleasant topic of discussion I'm not freaked out to discuss death. I've discussed it with my parents several years ago asking them to think about making their final arrangements or at least write down what they'd like. I didn't want to have to handle it at that time. They took my request to heart and have preplanned all the details. I'm not going to dwell on it but when my time comes, it comes. I plan on being cremated and do not want to go in the ground. I can't even put my dog Shelby's ashes in the ground. I'm not saying that I want to be set on my son's mantle like in Meet The Parents. I have a few places in mind as to where I want to end up. What I do want is a stone. I know that may sound silly because there will be nothing underneath it but a stone says that I was here.
I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon but I want a stone like this. Look at the beautiful detail, the flowers and ferns are works of art. I found this in an very old small cemetery in Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod several years ago.
Of course I'll live on in the hearts of those who love me but if I have a beautiful stone maybe someday someone will stop to look at it and wonder who I was.
Over the course of time cemeteries have changed. The stones in some cemeteries are flat into the ground with just the name. I stay away from those. Others may have upright flat stones with very little on them, just the name and dates without any carvings. Now a newer technique has entered the marketplace; laser etching. I'm not crazy about it but to each his own. I wouldn't choose it but it can look good.
I was amazed the first time I saw this stone in one of the local cemeteries. Matthew was murdered in 1995 and was a sad story. I think the stone was tastefully done; it captures him in the prime of his young life doing what he loved.I would never question the choice of a grieving parent but I just don't know what to think of this.
This stone is life size. just over 3 feet tall and startled me when I first saw it. While it's obvious to me that this child was very loved I know I would have never done this. For me it just seems odd.
Here's the back side of it. It's always tragic when a young person dies and I hope I never have to make a decision like this. I only know what I want. I don't really have a problem facing my own mortality. While it's not a pleasant topic of discussion I'm not freaked out to discuss death. I've discussed it with my parents several years ago asking them to think about making their final arrangements or at least write down what they'd like. I didn't want to have to handle it at that time. They took my request to heart and have preplanned all the details. I'm not going to dwell on it but when my time comes, it comes. I plan on being cremated and do not want to go in the ground. I can't even put my dog Shelby's ashes in the ground. I'm not saying that I want to be set on my son's mantle like in Meet The Parents. I have a few places in mind as to where I want to end up. What I do want is a stone. I know that may sound silly because there will be nothing underneath it but a stone says that I was here.
I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon but I want a stone like this. Look at the beautiful detail, the flowers and ferns are works of art. I found this in an very old small cemetery in Chatham, Massachusetts on Cape Cod several years ago.Of course I'll live on in the hearts of those who love me but if I have a beautiful stone maybe someday someone will stop to look at it and wonder who I was.
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