Ed Snyder began this blog in order to share his decade-long experience with all things cemeterial. As a photographer specializing in images of cemetery statuary, I've run into some interesting people, had some unexplainable experiences, and had a lot of fun.

Saturday, December 13, 2014

In with the Old, Out with the New

I was in an
abandoned cemetery around this time last year and was surprised to see a fresh
wreath on a grave. Last year's wreath appeared to have been tossed outside the
grave. This made me realize that, although a cemetery itself may be forgotten,
some of the people buried there are not. Not everyone ceases to care after the
cemetery itself goes to pot. Individuals are often helpless in this situation.
Or are they?

One of the things that bothered me about the old wreath, is
that it was just tossed aside along with the other mess in this cemetery. Why
not remove it to a trash can? Why add to the problem? Unless they didn’t see it
as a problem. My guess, and this is only a guess, is that the descendent
(probably long distance) paid the cemetery owner to have the wreath placed on
the grave. So it might have been a cemetery worker who tossed the old wreath.

Typical sign seen in cemeteries ("K of P" is not the cemetery in question)

But wait, I said the cemetery was “abandoned.” Why would
there be an employee? This particular Victorian cemetery is locked up tight,
with barred gates and high walls and fencing, and unmaintained. Trees and weeds
grow wild. How can this be? How can the owner get away with this? Is he
actually “getting away” with something? Or is he just in dire straits? Regardless,
something needs to change – a Friends group could be formed, or a change of
ownership may occur. The dead deserve greater respect. Besides, these people
most likely PAID for greater respect in the form of “perpetual care.” Out with the old, in with the new.