Graver's Journal

Shanna Riley February 13th, 2008

It was the death of my friend and brother-in-law, Lance Corey Morel, on October 12, 2006, that actually caused me to stumble onto Find A Grave for the first time.

I found solace in keeping Lance's memory alive via the Internet, where I assured his immortality with countless online memorials and uploaded photographs. While looking for places to remember and honor deceased loved ones, I found Find A Grave and the hobby of "graving" was then born.

Though Lance's memorial was put up shortly after his death, his actual headstone at his grave took some time in coming (as is customary). I cannot explain the feeling of looking down at the cold granite and seeing the name of someone you love and know so well carved into it.

Visiting Lance's grave is always a reminder to me to show the utmost respect and reverence to every grave I visit and photograph. Each is someone's child and friend, perhaps someone's parent, sibling, or beloved co-worker. The person beneath the marker I am recording means the world to someone - likely to many someones - and I want to honor their cherished memories as much as I want to honor the deceased whose name will be memorialized on the website.

What I do is not only for the dead, you see. I know that I can personally say that having Lance's memorial on Find A Grave, and seeing people leave him messages and virtual flowers - knowing that he is remembered - gives me comfort I cannot put into words. it is my hope that the graves I record might, someday, give the same peace to those also left behind.

• Personal Graves , The Dead
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