Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

Carved atop a gravestone in the Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, rests a cat basking in the California sun, a tribute, no doubt, to the deceased’s love of the cuddly feline. Though dogs have long been considered man’s best friend, … Continue reading →

Erected byTERENCE NUGENTIn Memory ofhis Esteemed FriendCORNELIUS CREMIN,A native of Cork,IRELAND,Who departed this lifeSeptember 1st, 1854,Aged 26 years,May he rest in peace. Afflictions sore he bore,Physicians were in vain,Till God did please that death should come [?] And cease him … Continue reading →

An iron fence surrounds the John Rourke Family Mausoleum in the Catholic Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia.  The iron gates and fencing around a cemetery were common and imbued with a power—the power to keep the malevolent spirits such as ghosts, … Continue reading →

In a mausoleum in the Mountain View Cemetery in Altadena, California, a stained glass window represents a potent symbol throughout the world—ancient and modern.  In funerary symbolism it is depicted in many ways: as a yellow sphere; as spreading rays … Continue reading →

SACRED To the memory of MARY RAFFIAL Who was born in St. Augustine, Fla. in the year of our Lord A.D. 1816 and died in Savannah June 27th 1859 Aged 43 years One of the most ubiquitous symbols found in … Continue reading →

IN MEMORY OF TWO CHILDREN OF Andrew & Catherine HUGHES: JOSEPH DIED MARCH 7, 1853 AGED 3 MO. & 7 DAYS THOMAS N. WAS KILLED BY A HORSE OCT. 13, 1853 AGED 3 YRS & 14 DAYS I take these … Continue reading →

SACRED TO THE MEMORYOF MY SONALBERT HUBBELL WRIGHTBORN JUNE 28, 1856DIED AUG. 11, 1875 NEARER MY GOD TO THEE The white marble monument for Albert Wright in the Green-Wood Cemetery in New York depicts a seated mourning figure. The inscription … Continue reading →

JOHN HARRY STEDMANDIED OCTOBER 29, 1922ALICE SHERWOOD WELLS STEDMANDIED OCTOBER 7, 1906 There are many objects found in our homes that we take for granted. Each one was created by an inventor. Some of these objects were created by inventors … Continue reading →

According to the experts at the Phillipsburg Memorial Company in Phillipsburg, New Jersey, there are several modern techniques for carving letters and designs on tombstones, including the following techniques which are both machine made: “Sandblasting … involves using compressed air … Continue reading →