Pioneer Cemetery by Bonnie McKeegan
Are you a Taphophile?
Taphophilia is having an interest in visiting cemeteries and reading gravestones. The word comes from Greek etymology, taphos meaning; cemetery burial, funeral, and the rituals of death. The word cemetery is from ancient Greek – which literally means sleeping chamber or burial place. If you think about it, cemeteries have long been considered places of peace - hence the adage RIP (Rest In Peace).
Taphophiles typically find cemeteries fascinating, viewing gravestones as educational and intriguing. Gravestones, also known as tombstones or grave markers, provide insights into art, history, and even famous last words.
Perhaps now you realize you are indeed a taphophile; visiting local cemeteries regularly, searching them out while traveling, and being fascinated by reading some interesting grave markers. So, take a walk through your local cemetery and explore its stories!
Here are a few humorous real tombstone examples:
"She always said her feet were killing her but nobody believed her." - Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond VA
"Looked up the elevator shaft to see if the car was on the way down. It was." - Harry Edsel Smith of Albany New York. Born 1903 – Died 1942.
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Mel Blanc Buried at Hollywood Forever Cemetery Hollywood, CA |
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Some Resources:
The Tombstone Tourist
thetombstonetourist.com/
Local author, Their Spirits Took Flight: Nevada City's Historic Pine Grove Cemetery, written by Brian Suwada
Banner Mountain Press, Jul 5, 2021 - 269 pages
All communities have a story to tell, and many of Nevada City's stories can be found in Pine Grove Cemetery. Their Spirits Took Flight relates the history of Nevada City through the lives of its early residents. Their stories are here, featuring over 3,600 biographical sketches of pioneers and early residents of Nevada City and surrounding communities who were buried within Pine Grove Cemetery from 1854 - 1961. The book includes a cemetery map, listings of suicides and murders, public officials, veterans, cemetery symbolism, death related customs, and more than 140 photographs and other images.
The Tombstone Tourist
thetombstonetourist.com/
Local author, Their Spirits Took Flight: Nevada City's Historic Pine Grove Cemetery, written by Brian Suwada
Banner Mountain Press, Jul 5, 2021 - 269 pages
All communities have a story to tell, and many of Nevada City's stories can be found in Pine Grove Cemetery. Their Spirits Took Flight relates the history of Nevada City through the lives of its early residents. Their stories are here, featuring over 3,600 biographical sketches of pioneers and early residents of Nevada City and surrounding communities who were buried within Pine Grove Cemetery from 1854 - 1961. The book includes a cemetery map, listings of suicides and murders, public officials, veterans, cemetery symbolism, death related customs, and more than 140 photographs and other images.
