Monthly Archives: March 2011

Broken Wheel

Posted on March 14, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Many symbols, like the hanging and broken bud, the broken column, and the broken wheel represent the end of life’s journey.  This gravestone in Wunder’s Cemetery in Chicago is carved in limestone in the likeness of a tree with a broken … Continue reading →

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Mansions in the Sky

Posted on March 13, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The Rosehill Cemetery in Bloomington, Indiana, has many fine gravestones, including the deeply and elaborately carved Moser family monument.  The gravestone has gates opening up to the Heavens.  Between the clouds is depicted a lavish city of beautifully crafted buildings.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism | 1 Comment

The Empty Chair

Posted on March 10, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

This mourning figure in the Spring Grove Cemetery in Cincinnati kneels next to an empty chair.  Typical of mourning figures, she is barefoot, and expresses her grief with a lowered head that she holds with her hand.  The vacant chair symbolizes … Continue reading →

Posted in Saving Graces, Symbolism | 2 Comments

Lotta sheriffs buried here

Posted on March 9, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Years ago, my friend, Kathryn Epperson Tupper, told me the story about a visit she made to the Magnolia Cemetery with her son, Philip, when he was about six years old.  They had gone to place flowers on her father’s … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Markers | 4 Comments

Jilted

Posted on March 9, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

At first glance this might look like another “Saving Grace” or surrogate mourning figure.  But the details of  Herman Luyties’ (1871-1921) monument in the famed Bellefontaine Cemetery in St. Louis is far more interesting than mere graveyard symbolism.  This bodacious … Continue reading →

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments

Willow Tree and Obelisk

Posted on March 6, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Last summer on the drive to our vacation in Yosemite, we stopped for a drink at Jamba Juice.  Next to the shop is a small cemetery, the Oak Hill Cemetery.  The churchyard is meticulously kept.  As I strolled through the … Continue reading →

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Prepare for Death

Posted on March 6, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

During the last trip I made to Atlanta, I was able to visit the historic Oakland Cemetery.  When I spotted the tombstone I snapped this photo.  It caught my eye for two reasons.  First of all, it contains one of … Continue reading →

Posted in Epitaphs, Symbolism | 1 Comment

Saving Graces

Posted on March 6, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

In his book, Saving Graces, published by W. W. Norton & Company in 1995, David Robinson has taken pictures of mourning figures from some of the most beautiful and famous cemeteries in Europe, including Pere Lachaise in Paris and Monumentale … Continue reading →

Posted in Saving Graces | 2 Comments