Taphophilia: Finding History in Cemeteries

Eventually, after death, many of us will end up in the same destination as everyone else -a cemetery. But for some adventurous travelers, cemeteries are a popular year-round attraction. Why, and who in their right mind would find a cemetery adventurous? A taphophile, of course. Taphophilia is an attraction to or love for graves and cemeteries.

Taphophiles love cemeteries not only for their serenity and beauty but also for their architectural and historical significance. For instance, cemetery research is a vital component of genealogists in researching family histories, offering interesting information through the history of the people buried there, including how wealthy they were, the culture they lived in, and what their beliefs were.

Nearly every community has an old cemetery of historic and educational value. A study of it can reveal much about the lives of people from the past. A cemetery is a quiet place where taphophiles can learn about past and present attitudes toward the dead and their proper treatment. Cemeteries contain artifacts in the form of grave markers, and these often have inscriptions that allow for various types of textual analysis.

Even the layout of the graves can be of significance. Cemeteries are like outdoor museums, full of beautiful statuary, wonderful architecture, and touching epitaphs. Statues found in cemeteries can range from small to larger than life size figures, and some of the most beautiful statues found in cemeteries are angels.

Although most tombstones have a generic look to them, some are as unique as the individual who lies beneath. The inscriptions on tombstones vary, from biblical quotes or Latin inscriptions to interesting points of view on death. Oftentimes, the family picks these as remembrances for the departed; however, in some cases, the deceased may have written them prior to death.

Not all cemeteries are the same. For instance, in the U.S., there are eight types of cemeteries. The church cemetery, or churchyard, is owned by the church and although it is private property, it is generally open to all. A town, city, or county owns the public cemetery. Customary cemeteries are simply plots used by neighbors as a burying place and are usually cared for by the family of those buried within. Customary cemeteries are most common in rural areas. A private cemetery belongs to and is run by a corporation.

This type of cemetery has restrictive rules for markers and offerings. Lodge cemeteries are owned and operated by lodges or other fraternal organizations. An ethnic cemetery can be public, private, or customary and belongs to a particular religious group. At one time, the family cemetery was quite commonplace. Most families had large amounts of land and could afford to allocate some of it to this purpose.

The victims of disasters are sometimes buried in what is referred to as a common grave, or mass graves, and a memorial is erected in their memory. There are also memorial parks, which are well-manicured places to pay your respects, but virtually all graves are marked with simple flat grave markers.

Cemeteries are great places to connect with and learn about the past. Although some people may view taphophilia practices as macabre, it is from their love for cemeteries that much of our precious history has been preserved.