Educational Benefits of Visiting a Cemetery as a Family

It may be a surprise location to conduct life lessons, but cemeteries hold a wealth of information and learning opportunities. Similar to a museum, holding a plethora of antiques and preserving history, a cemetery provides evidence of those who have gone before. As such, cemeteries are a surprising place to learn on multiple levels. This article shares many educational lessons a family can learn in a cemetery.

First and foremost, when exploring a cemetery address the issue of respect ahead of time. Teach children about showing reverence for others by speaking in soft tones. Teach them to stay off the head stones and to stay near you. This etiquette will carry through so that as they mature they will be less likely to become destructive teenagers, and it will also help them navigate a cemetery should the day come when parents are not available as an escort.

A traditional use of exploring a cemetery is to conduct genealogy research. Making a discovery of an extended family member not only fleshes out a family tree, but it gives family members a sense of self and belonging by connecting with ancestors. Ideally, parents or grandparents would share a few memories of the deceased, making their memory come alive. One idea includes digitally recording the story teller, documenting the ages of those in attendance as a genealogical piece of evidence. Wouldn't it be great if grave markers played digital videos of the deceased sharing their biography for those to hear in the future? While the technology has not gone there yet, creating a family historical file folder of photos, videos, and stories is a close second. Over time the etched, stone marker may wear down, but the digital file would remain, and could easily be passed down through generations.

Veteran grave markers teach of wars, battles, civil war companies, and other historical aspects. Pointing these markers out to youth or having them gather pictures of markers as a collection, generates a real connection to the history they learn about in school. Honoring veterans on Veterans' Day or on the Fourth of July by placing a wreath or a flag at veterans' graves is also a great way to connect a modern family with those who fought for their freedom.

Cemetery visits could also teach families about cultural symbols and traditions. Families could discuss the significance of flowers, wreaths, or grave blankets. They could research the meaning of Freemason symbols, Greek letters, or religious symbols. Visits could also dispel the common association of cemeteries being evil or full of mystery, focusing instead on honoring those who have helped shape local history.

Overall, visiting a graveyard is full of potential educational opportunities. A cemetery does not need to symbolize a scary place. Rather, it can be a place to reflect, remember, and even celebrate those who lived before us - whether they are relatives or not.