Archive for March, 2007

After Death, And Its Relation to Graving

March 31st, 2007

Sometimes this blog will delve into, what I call, "After Death" practices, and the things that may happen to a body on it's way to the grave. Having an interest in graving usually means an interest in all things grave-related, including what happens to our bodies after death - at least, this is so for me. For this reason, I seek to cover all aspects of graving, cemeteries, death, and after-death care in this blog.

Why would someone want to know what happens to a body after death? For some it's morbid curiosity, for others its a way to face the fear of dying. The unknown is often much more frightening than the known; even if the known is substantially disturbing. It may be disconcerting to hear and see what happens to us after we take our last breath, but it is often less daunting than the images the mind may conjure up for lack of true knowledge. I'd rather be knowledgeable about a subject, even one I'd rather not know about, than to let my imagination run wild on what could happen.

As much as we try to ignore Death, or push anything related to it under the rug, it is an inevitable fact that each and every one of us will experience it at some point in our lives. Some day, maybe sooner or maybe later, our lives will come to an end. Our individual trip around the Sun will cease, at least for this lifetime, and we will leave our bodies.

Knowing about after-death care and procedures may not be something you are comfortable with, but it is something you should think about. It is something you should decide upon while you are still living - no matter your age - to help your grieving family members at the time of your death. Knowing what you want done and how you want it done will be one less thing your family will have to worry about at the time of your passing. If not for yourself, for your family, at least, you should be knowledgeable about what choices you have for the care of your body after death.

Beyond that, it is a personal choice. Some people would rather not know what becomes of their earthly shells once they are interred; others would quite like to know. This blog will address such issues - about after-death care and choices of interment or cremation, and what the pros and cons are of each. Such posts will be found in the After Death category.

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Cities of the Dead

March 30th, 2007

New Orleans - and the outlying areas - have some of the most arresting cemeteries in the world. The need for above-ground burial, due to the city being below sea level, has created a unique metropolitan feel to its cemeteries; which are mazes of tall and hulking tombs resembling small buildings clustered together.

A visit to New Orleans is a must for any cemetery-lover. Though I have been blessed with being born in southern Louisiana, and am only a mere hour's drive from the Crescent City, I have yet to visit the famed St. Louis cemeteries - one of which holds the remains of New Orleans' great Voodoo queen, Marie Laveau. The truth is, these cemeteries are not safe to visit alone but should be attended by a fairly large group; a caution that holds even more true in post-Katrina New Orleans.

I've had the honor, though, of visiting the lovely Lafayette #1 Cemetery, on Prytania Street. It was the first cemetery in what is now the Garden District area of New Orleans, and was established on a parcel of land once belonging to Livaudais Plantation in 1833. As well as housing some of New Orleans' earliest families, it is also said to have been the site of mass burial of victims of the 1853 yellow fever epidemic. Tales are told of the walls surrounding the cemetery being filled with bodies of the fever's victims; as they were dying by the hundreds daily, there was no time for proper burials.

One of my favorite cemeteries is actually outside of New Orleans - the Metairie Cemetery, as it stretches along Interstate-10, gives full meaning to the term "city of the dead".

It consists of miles of burial grounds filled with large, beautiful tombs and private mausoleums. In December of 1991, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places for its unique history, beautiful grounds and tombs, and for being the burial site of many famous persons. Taking a drive through it is nothing short of awe-inspiring...whether you are viewing the "haunted" tomb of Josie Arlington or the infamous pyramid tomb of the Brunswig family.

If you have not had the chance to experience New Orleans and Metairie's infamous cemeteries, then I highly suggest a trip down South. You won't be disappointed.

Also, if you have an interest in helping preserve New Orleans' great cemeteries - especially after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina - I urge you to visit and donate to Save Our Cemeteries, Inc.; a wonderful organization dedicated to doing just that.

Chenevert Babies

March 29th, 2007

One thing, sadly, that you often see in cemeteries are the graves of babies. Stillborn or only living a few days, these graves are always touching.

An unusual grave in that set, however, was the one I found for the Chenevert Babies.

There is only one date on the marker, March 6, 1930, but it is obvious it marks the resting place of a set of ill-fated triplets. It isn't hard to imagine the slim chance for survival triplets would have had being born in 1930, however, it is still a rare find as far as graves go. Twins, I have seen. Triplets, never.

The grave marks the final resting place of young Varonia, Alban, and Anthony Chenevert. Who their parents were or if they had any other siblings, still remain a mystery.

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