Here is a small marker which lies flat on the ground, nothing to distinguish it from all the others. But notice the unique decorations: a birdcage atop a tall pole, and a set of windchimes hanging from a fancy holder. How long will these last? Well on the Web, they might last a lot longer than in the cemetery!
Each of my students who went to this cemetery commented on and/or took photos of this grave site. This one was taken at night.
How nice to have a place to sit in the midst of peace and quiet, contemplating a loved one's final resting place.
Nearly all the flower holders in mausoleums and columbariums have artificial flowers in them. Protected from the elements, they brighten the otherwise stark walls and give a more cheerful place to visit a deceased family member or friend.
Here is a creative twist, a small Christmas tree dangling on a cord between the two vases. Regardless of the time of year my students do their cemetery projects, they always find mementos of the last major holiday. This January, they not only found plenty of Christmas decorations, they also found pumpkins and other trinkets from Halloween.
First note the simple marker, and the little white picket fence that outlines the grave, with clover peeking up everywhere. Then look at all the things left for the occupant. There are Christmas decorations everywhere; a baseball cap hanging on the marker alongside bows and ornaments; a book entitled "Every Secret Thing," various types of baskets and other containers, some empty, others full of flowers, fruit, and other objects.
My students always report finding fruit and other food left by family and friends of people who are of Chinese, Korean, or other Asian descent. This gravesite also has a little bowl of rice, covered with plastic or foil.
This is a sight you will always find: a person who died many years ago and who has a fresh bouquet of flowers placed on their marker. This one spells out "DAD."
The easiest place for my students to reach is the Holy
Sepulchre Cemetery, located just down the hill from
campus. I always ask them to look for this sign, then see
if they find any contradictions between what the rules
are and what people actually do. Here's what the sign
says:
Holy Sepulchre Cemetery
Grave Decoration Regulations
- Only two floral pieces per grave
- Natural and artificial flowers allowed on above
ground memorials
- Natural flowers preferred on ground level
memorials
- Weathered grave decorations removed at cemetery's
discretion
- Please! Avoid the use of all glass articles,
balloons, statuary, flags, and pinwheels.
Your cooperation is appreciated! Complete Rules and
Regulations available at the Cemetery Office.
The Management
What my students report back to the class is that this
is one of the best places to visit because visitors
routinely ignore nearly every rule. There are balloons,
windmills, toys, rosaries, religious statues, plastic
flowers, cans, bottles, greeting cards, banners and
streamers, food, gift boxes, piñatas, and decorations
from every holiday--major, minor, or local.
Every once in a while it gets overwhelming and lots of things are cleared away, but in a very short time new things reappear. It's a great place to visit!