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The hunts in the graveyards are great, but it’s really sad to see the damage to so many markers out there. Some of these are upwards of 100 years old and will probably never be repaired. I don’t know if it’s a case of vandalism or natural causes, but it still saddens me to see all of that going on.
that was an interesting observation I made as well when I started visited these out of the way country cemeteries. how old some are and how un-cared for they are. makes we want to be buried “in town”.
The fallen or damaged stones are probably a combination of both age and some intentional damage. Unless it is a particular cemetery, targeted by vandals, most damage is not too noticeable.
Time is the biggest culprit. Settling earth causes many stones to tip, and eventually fall. Any stones flat on the ground tend to sink into the earth, and gradually become absorbed.
I have heard of a group that goes to different cemeteries, and fixes the problems. Re setting stones, etc. But there are too many cemeteries in need for them to ever make a difference.
Also, different materials wear at different rates. Some stones from barely a hundred years ago are now unreadable.
Personally, I take the view that time changes all. What will the cemetery look like in 500 years, or in 1000? Will it even exist.
I had an uncle die in February, and the question is where his ashes might rest. With his parents in Missouri; brother in Texas; wife in Minnesota? In-laws in Wisconsin?
Whichever place might be chosen, who will be here in 50 years to visit? Where will all his relatives be by then?
When you visit a cemetery with fallen stones, others covered with lichen, or faded writing, you are seeing Time progress through it’s normal routine.
The way I see it, the grave yards and markers are there for the living. Like Marc said, in time who is going to be around to see it. Let alone take care them. When I go, burn me and spread me out. People can remember me the way I was, not by my name on some rock.
My wife and I both enjoy visiting cemeteries, especially old ones, or the ones our ancestors are buried in to do some primping or planting. Sometimes we stop to recite the names or messages left on old stones, perhaps years after anyone else is left to visit, and we reflect on those lives and times. We both sometimes see fallen or damaged markers, some in corners of less well-kept cemeteries, myself more often, as I do visit many while geocaching.
In some ways, these visits remind me to live well in the here and now, as thereafter is kind of a mysterious conjecture. With a little luck, we can leave behind some who care enough to pay homage to our memory and take care of our final “resting” place for a while. After that, except for historical and family records and photos, and memories of our descendants, time conquers all and earth reclaims most things.
So, when I visit these places, I sometimes only utter a reflective comment on the names or dates, or I may be moved to say more or to share my visit with someone later, but having been there and noticed is more than I expect from other than my loved ones, and, to me, the visit was then worth while.
We enjoy the history and representation of so many when we walk through cemeteries. Yes, it is sad to see how some stones are coming apart, broken or almost unreadable.
On a lighter note did you hear about the gal who wanted her ashes sprinkled over Walmart? That way her daughters would visit twice a week. 😯
TESpecifically, I’m referring to the markers that haven’t tipped, but are clearly broken off their bases. I’m sure it can happen naturally, but more often than not, it sure looks like they’ve been kicked over.
Vandalism = very BAD!
Natural wear and tear = philosophical resignationIt’s true after a couple generations, the graves usually get forgotten. People naturally tend to visit the gravesites of people they have known. When everybody who has known someone has gone themselves, then who is left to care about a headstone? Well, genealogists do. Having visited cemeteries to do genealogical research, I can tell you that having a nice, intact readable stone makes things much easier.
On a deeper note, I like to think of my geocaches as monuments, symbolic markers, drawing others who “know” to visit a special place.
Geocaching is woven into my life because all of its elements were already interests of mine. But most people probably just think, “geocaching, oh that’s hi-tech-hiking.”
But if you know the watchword, “www.geocaching.com”, then you are welcome to enter and learn of the wondrous places that the unknowing walk right past.
And whether it is time that imposes upon my monuments, or vandals (human or otherwise) that plunder the treasure, this change is part of the history of the place I have chosen to share.
I had begun writing my previous ramble before RY&NY and Lbugs Mum entries, but was sidetracked before posting.
So now I must add,
I like to listen to TTBOOK streaming audio from WPR while I work in the kitchen. I recently listened to a January episode concerning ideas including: the dead who have not yet passed from living memory.
I like to think about thinking. This idea led to many tangential thoughts. And is now linked in my mind to monuments.
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