This post is part of my Cemetery Appreciation Month series.
Did you know May is Cemetery Appreciation Month? I didn't! And to be honest, I'm not sure how "official" it is because there is no centralized entity that celebrates it.
But as a taphophile, I decided to embrace it this May because I've spent a lot of time in my local cemeteries during the pandemic.
Throughout the month, I'll be sharing some photos, playlists and even a few guest posts from friends about how you can explore your own local cemeteries.
For today, we're focusing on how it all started, and I'm sharing more about why I love cemeteries.
Why I Love Cemeteries
I'll be honest: I'm not entirely sure when or where my love of cemeteries began. Yes, it dovetails nicely with being a Halloween blogger and has become such a part of my life that I have a secondary Instagram account, @mirandawanderscemeteries, to share my favorite photos. (Several of which are printed and hanging in my bedroom year-round.)
But there wasn't a moment where I knew I loved them. I think exploring Halloween content more allowed me to embrace my love of these spaces in our world, learn more about them and feel more comfortable being that person. Here are a few more reasons I enjoy spending time in cemeteries.
1. Cemeteries are beautiful spaces.
Many are full of trees, flowers and beautiful landscaping. I tend to think of them as park spaces more than anything, for this reason. I'm lucky enough to have one of Houston's most historic cemeteries, Glenwood, just down the street from me. Parts of the cemetery date back to the 1800s, and it is magical wandering the walking paths under sprawling tree branches knowing everything around me has seen decades upon decades of life - and death.
2. Cemeteries are peaceful.
When I step inside a cemetery, I feel a change happen inside of me. I became calmer, quieter. Some of that is respect for being in a space where people are laid to rest. But a lot of it is I find peace and solace in cemeteries. I feel more like myself.
Over the last six months, I've found they're a space where I can walk around and explore or walk around to gather my thoughts. They give me an outdoor space free of people (for the most part) to reflect and think. I find a lot of peace in that.
3. Cemeteries are full of inspiration.
When I'm in a space where I feel most at home, I find inspiration is a lot more likely to strike. That's happened a few times in cemeteries over the past six months with ideas for short stories and even full novels.
I find that wandering different sections of the cemetery, noticing names and dates on headstones or even doing a little people-watching at a distance has helped spark inspiration with my writing too. (Like this little piece I shared last spring.)
4. Cemeteries are a space to learn.
There is SO much history in cemeteries. Wandering Olivewood Cemetery and Old City Cemetery in Galveston (where all the photos in this post were taken) years ago taught me that. Olivewood was Houston's first incorporated African American cemetery, and Old City Cemetery has headstones with birth dates that occurred before the United States was even a country.
Since I prefer to wander older cemeteries, I also like to do a little research before or after a visit to learn more about the space, how it's evolved over the years and any graves of note.I also love studying headstones for new-to-me symbols. More on those later this month from my friend Tui Snider!
5. Cemeteries help me process death.
Death is one of those things I wish we talked about more in our society. Of course, there are people doing just that - Caitlin Doughty is one of my faves - but I wish it was more widely accepted.
I find that when I spend time in cemeteries, it helps me process what it might be like when people I love pass away...and that I, myself, will pass away someday too. I'm hopeful that taking time to think through those moments now, well before I'm in the experience itself, will help me deal with it a little better.
Do you love cemeteries too?
Tell me what your favorite thing about them is in the comments - and your favorite one you've ever explored! (Sleepy Hollow is WAY up there for me.)
