Author Archives: gravelyspeaking

The Lily

Posted on April 24, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The lily, as a funerary symbol, has many meanings including purity, innocence, virginity, heavenly bliss, majestic beauty, and Christ’s ressurection.  Christians believe that the trumpet-shaped blossoms announce the Resurrection of Jesus Christ. As pictured in the stained-glass window above, the … Continue reading →

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The Crucifixion

Posted on April 22, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

The crucifixion is the most important symbol in Christianity, ususally found in Catholic cemeteries.

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Symbols of the Passion of Christ

Posted on April 21, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Many, perhaps, most of the symbols found in our cemeteries are religious.  The motif above displays three nails encircled by a Crown of Thorns.  The Crown of Thorns depict the crown that Jesus Christ wore as He was mocked as … Continue reading →

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Fast Mail

Posted on April 18, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

GEORGE S. BANGS Died November 17, 1877 Aged 51 Years  8 months 27 days His crowning effort The Fast  Mail Some people want to be remembered for who they are, some for what they did.  This “treestump gravestone”, so called because it looks like … Continue reading →

Posted in Treestump gravestones, Uncategorized | 5 Comments

Lamb

Posted on April 17, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

  The lamb is the symbol of the Lord, the Good Shepherd.  It also represents innocence, likely the reason why this motif usually adorns the tombstones of infants and young children.  Most often the lamb is lying down, often asleep and sometimes with a … Continue reading →

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Eternal Silence

Posted on April 17, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Lorado Taft was one of the premier sculptors of his day.  He was a widely published scholar on the topic and his work was highly sought after.  He was commissioned to produce many public works including the The Soldier’s Monument … Continue reading →

Posted in Symbolism, Uncategorized | 3 Comments

Lightning Strike

Posted on April 16, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

Louis J. Baker, August 3, 1894, August 29, 1917   Indiana has a large number of quarries throughout the state because some of the richest limestone deposits in the country are found in this region.  Indiana limestone has been used … Continue reading →

Posted in Famous graves | 1 Comment

Door Number One

Posted on April 6, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

When I was a kid there was a game show on telelvision called Let’s Make a Deal hosted by Monte Hall.  The game revolved around the contestants wagering that the prize they had in their hand was not as good … Continue reading →

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G.A.R.

Posted on April 5, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

No other event in the 19th Century had a larger affect on America than the Civil War.  It tore the country apart and involved people from every corner before it was over.  Over a million people were wounded and killed–625,000 from the North and … Continue reading →

Posted in Metal Markers | 4 Comments

Egyptian Revival, Part 3

Posted on April 3, 2011 by gravelyspeaking

During the rural cemetery movement designers created park-like cemeteries.  The first such cemetery was Mt. Auburn, which opened in 1831, at Cambridge, Massachussetts.  The ideal was to fuse the utility of having a place to bury the dead but design the cemeteries so they … Continue reading →

Posted in Mausoleums, Symbolism | 1 Comment