Saving Graves

When I die, I want to be cremated, and I certainly don’t want to be put into a jar on a mantel. (Must remember to tell husband this.) I prefer the “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” route – so just scatter my remains someplace pretty. (But it must be my version of pretty. Must remember to tell husband that Las Vegas isn’t pretty.)

Although I wouldn’t like to rest in peace in a graveyard, I do find them to be interesting places. I like the variety of names and inscriptions, although there’s always a tinge of sadness to this exploration.

Graveyards are common on every street corner and church, and unfortunately we treat them that way. From what I’ve heard on genealogy forums, many historic graveyards are neglected as well. And although this is a generalization and I hate generalizations, I think the neglect is due to our transient society. The families simply aren’t there to tend the graves.

On the way to a networking event the other night, I passed through an area I haven’t seen in a couple of years and marveled at all the growth. (If you live in or around Atlanta, you know development is ever-present.) I also passed by a graveyard sandwiched between two small strips of stores. I wondered how long it would be there, and what argument would be used to relocate it since it was now on “valuable property.”

If you’re interested in preserving a graveyard, I suggest googling in your U.S. state or country and “saving graves.” Or, you can go to their main Web site at http://www.savinggraves.org. They also have an interesting-looking library at http://www.savinggraves.org/education/index.htm.

~Mary Kaye