13 Reasons to Visit Cemeteries
No matter where you find yourself.
Cemeteries are some of my favorite places to visit when I’m traveling. I’ve toured graveyards, which are smaller burial grounds connected to a church, and cemeteries, larger burial grounds with more relaxed rules that include people of all faiths, in every state and countless countries.
In many places, local tours include cemeteries. These are for historical, pop culture, or supernatural reasons. (Ghost Tours…I’m looking at you.)
Why Visit Cemeteries?
Believe me, I understand why eco-friendly options like human composting and liquid cremation are growing in popularity. Traditional burials in cemeteries are no longer a responsible option.
I teach classes about environmental post-death alternatives, and I won’t personally be buried in the ground. And yet, I still think cemeteries are beautiful places to visit.
If I’m on vacation or looking for something to do close to home, even if there isn’t a professional tour going through, I visit cemeteries. Here’s why:
1. They’re Free
Vacations are expensive, so it’s nice to pick a few places that don’t charge an admission fee. I usually offer it up as an activity for the whole group that I’m with, including my friends and family.
Some cemeteries or graveyards may ask for donations, but that’s rare. As a rule, they are usually free and open to the general public.
2. Inspiring Beauty
Every cemetery has beauty in its surroundings. Whether it’s located near bodies of water or tucked inside a forest. I take it all in. Are the gravestones in a row and symmetrical?
Or are they spread out around a large park?
Rural areas might have acres of graves to view, while a city cemetery might be smaller and nestled between two buildings. No matter, each one has some beauty in the way it’s been designed and set up.
They’re also home to animals. Birds, squirrels, geese, or turtles live in each one. My neighborhood cemetery, Graceland, in Chicago, has coyotes. They’re adorable and fun to spot.
3. Works of Art
Engraving headstones or monuments takes real artistry. I look for sculptures like angels or cherubs atop some graves. Others might have beautiful designs or meaningful epitaphs.
Quotes include original observations as well as lines from beloved poems.
4. Historical Lessons
Our country’s national cemeteries teach us a lot about wars, battles, and the sacrifices of so many soldiers. Public or religious cemeteries are also a portal into a community or country’s past.
I usually do some research ahead of time and look for unique markers. I’ve seen memorials that indicate an area was hit hard by a plague or flood. In Chicago, I get lost amongst the artifacts that honor those affected by the Great Chicago Fire, the Civil War, and cholera outbreaks.
No matter where I go, I learn a lot about a place just by walking through its graveyards.
5. Interesting Stories
Every cemetery has some tales to tell.
When I lived in Tampa, I routinely visited a cemetery where a well-known doctor from the early 1900s was buried. The town scorned him for helping poor women. So he wanted a sculpture of himself on top of his grave, facing away from the town. It’s quite a sight that drivers can clearly see from the street.
What stories can you find in your town’s graveyards?
6. Cultural Significance
Every religion and culture has its own set of grief rituals. For example, Jewish graves feature rocks placed on headstones. This is different from the more traditional bouquets of flowers on Christian graves. Rocks are seen as permanent and ever-present.
Like our memory of a deceased loved one.
Mexican graves stand out with vibrant and colorful displays, ornate decorations, and personal mementos. They’re not at all like the more somber and uniform appearance of Western cemeteries. Japanese cemeteries feature hundreds of graves with places on each one to burn incense.
Visiting burial grounds allows me to learn more about people and how they grieve.
7. Unique Resting Places
Have you ever been to a pet graveyard or conservation cemetery? A visit to look around might be the most interesting part of your day.
I find out ahead of time how the cemetery got started. It helps me appreciate the role it plays in the town and all the ways it's different from any other cemetery in the area.
8. Peace and Reflection
Walking around any cemetery allows me time to reflect. I think about the past – my own as well as the community I’m in. I always find myself thinking about lost loved ones and the memories they evoke.
How do you keep your loved one’s memories alive in your regular day-to-day life?
For some, it might be a ritual or an anniversary. For others, it might be a prayer before you get out of bed in the morning. Remembering them in different ways is a healthy part of the grieving process.
9. Quiet Spaces
I like a quiet place to sit and relax. I might also want a space to walk uninterrupted, where I hear the wind or water. Cemeteries are peaceful in a way that I have to visit in person to experience.
10. Patriotic
Visit any cemetery around Veterans Day or Memorial Day, and you’ll see flags adorning many former soldiers’ graves. National cemeteries host commemorations with stirring speeches and marching bands.
At national cemeteries around Christmas, I find the snow and wreath displays so comforting. You can bring your own flag or wreath to leave on the graves yourself.
It’s a great way to acknowledge or honor their sacrifice.
11. Places to Exercise
When visiting cemeteries, I appreciate the empty, paved roads. I feel safe. No speeding cars or oversized buses.
This is especially nice when I’m running or cycling. But even walking is more therapeutic and comfortable.
Some graveyards have hills, which build muscle tone and burn extra calories. Check with the cemetery ahead of time to make sure this is a welcome activity.
12. Open All Year
Cemeteries are picturesque no matter when you visit. Some are also arboretums. That makes autumn more breathtaking with all the colorful leaves. Spring is amazing with blossoms everywhere.
I love the conservation cemeteries around the beginning of summer when the wildflowers bloom. Each season brings with it a reminder of our own life cycles.
13. Considering My Legacy
As I walk amongst the art and glory of beautiful graves, I clear my mind and focus on what’s important. What legacy am I leaving behind? What is my end-of-life plan?
Thinking about death has its benefits. Research shows that people who think about and plan their end of life tend to be happier than those who don’t discuss it.
So be one of the happy ones!
An Uplifting Activity
Too many people have this mistaken notion that cemeteries are sad or depressing places. This isn’t true. They’re enjoyable in so many ways.
Next time you have a free afternoon or are traveling, visit cemeteries and see for yourself. They are important parts of our history and community.