topic Re: Cemetery Tours in Community Chat

Cemetery Tours

MikafromTopeka — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:30:34 GMT

I've noticed a number of local cemetery tours being conducted this year in our local area. They have local actors playing parts of prominent people and their families who are buried there. Our are produced by the historical societies.

Do they do these anywhere else? Google shows they occur in New Orleans and Hollywood.

Re: Cemetery Tours

fthunt — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 12:53:19 GMT

I've been to a New Orleans cemetery (tour).....didn't know it was included in a normal bus see-the-sites day trip - but there I was.....it was a little grusome in that they explain how a deceased 'uses' a burial plot for ONE year......then it's 'cleaned' out and somebody else gets it for ONE year.

(workers were there 'cleaning out' a time-out plot and they didn't seem too happy with all the bus riders watching them)

The reason for this policy: high water table and limited cemetery space.

No actors like you noted.

Re: Cemetery Tours

ValuSkr — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:00:38 GMT

@fthunt wrote:
......then it's 'cleaned' out and somebody else gets it for ONE year.

What happens to the bodies after one year? Cremated?

Re: Cemetery Tours

sunshine45 — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:40:23 GMT

here is some information regarding the lafayette cemetary in louisiana. the bodies are generally not removed from the tomb, but are removed from the coffin and placed back into the tomb (usually in a special bag). the cemetaries in and around new orleans are a sight to see. i never took a specific tour, but have been a number of times. they are a must see part of new orleans and louisiana. they are also called "cities of the dead."

Once a coffin or casket is placed into a tomb or other interment vehicle, it is sealed with brick and mortar or covered with soil. In the case of our vaults and family tombs, this is merely the process of laying a simple brick "wall" before the vault entrance. After the minimum period has gone by, (usually "one year and one day", based upon Judeo-Christian mourning rituals, although periods may vary as per the requirements of families or individual cemetery authorities, etc.), the vehicle may be re-used, if needed, by simply removing the seal, separating the human remains from what is left of the casket , and replacing the remains back into the tomb (either pushed to the rear of the vault, or placed in the bottom). The casket is simply disposed of, so for that reason this burial style doesn't usually require the use of expensive caskets. Of course, this doesn't take place in the presence of the family who are attending the funeral while this phase of the procedure is performed, and it is always performed in a respectful manner.

http://www.lafayettecemetery.org/burial-styles-traditions

Re: Cemetery Tours

LilacTree — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 14:47:20 GMT

So glad I have chosen cremation.

Re: Cemetery Tours

Lucky Charm — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:18:16 GMT

Am I understanding this right? That workers must remove the decomposed bodies from the (cheap) caskets and bag them to store them elsewhere?

Ugh. Something about the 'remains' being removed from a casket just seems so disrespectful. Maybe that's not the right word.

Re: Cemetery Tours

Peaches McPhee — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:25:38 GMT

They do these locally at Halloween time (Rochester NY). Lots of local history involving murder and scandal.

Have also gone on a cemetary tour in NewOrleans. Their cemetaries are very unique, and worth seeing. They have tours year round.

Have also gone on ghost tours around the city (Gettisburg).

Re: Cemetery Tours

Nightowlz — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:29:30 GMT

Never heard of such a thing. Not interested in doing such a thing either.

Re: Cemetery Tours

Helen852 — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:31:24 GMT

In Buffalo they do have tours either a walking tour or a trolly type vehicle; and at the Holidays they also have a short program performed by the 'residents of the cemetary'. We have done both. The tour is a lot of fun. It gives the history of the cemetary and is more historical and architectural. We were surprised at the people who are actually interred there. One for example is Rick James; his tombstone is a guitar! Another one is the woman who influenced Flag Day.

Re: Cemetery Tours

Puzzle Piece — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:38:54 GMT

I believe that Forest Lawn in the Los Angeles Area offers tours year-round. Now that the Halloween Season has started, there's lots of things like that offered. Ghost Walk in Santa Paula is a yearly event and so are the haunted houses or Spooky Buildings, etc.

Re: Cemetery Tours

fourpaws56 — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:44:52 GMT

Re: Cemetery Tours

fourpaws56 — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:46:05 GMT

Re: Cemetery Tours

sunshine45 — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 15:53:10 GMT

Lucky charm wrote:
Am I understanding this right? That workers must remove the decomposed bodies from the (cheap) caskets and bag them to store them elsewhere?

Ugh. Something about the 'remains' being removed from a casket just seems so disrespectful. Maybe that's not the right word.

yes, they do have to be removed from the casket, but the decomposed bodies are then placed in a bag and are then placed back in the grave/mausoleum/crypt. problems can arise when a city has a high water table and a casket can easily "float back up" to the top of the grave again, even if it is weighted down.

Re: Cemetery Tours

colliemom4 — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 17:03:50 GMT

I've been on what was called a ghost tour in Williamsburg, Va. Not my idea but it was pretty interesting. It was more historical than anything. Not at all scary and not in a graveyard.

Re: Cemetery Tours

nunya — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 17:15:59 GMT

Not really a fan. I have family buried in a cemetary famous for a movie. Every year, people dress up as zombies and go take pictures and run though there. I admit, I think it's disrespectful and it bugs me.

Re: Cemetery Tours

abbeythe 8th — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 18:05:22 GMT

I've toured cemeteries of historical significance and found it moving.

I do not agree with touring cemeteries because they are said to be haunted.

Re: Cemetery Tours

ValuSkr — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 19:39:40 GMT

@Peaches McPhee wrote:
They do these locally at Halloween time (Rochester NY). Lots of local history involving murder and scandal.

Is that at Mount Hope Cemetery? I have relatives in Rochester (but none at Mount Hope ).

Re: Cemetery Tours

Mustang Shar — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 19:45:14 GMT

Very interesting!!!!

Re: Cemetery Tours

Mominohio — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 19:47:14 GMT

Our local cemetery has done this several times, and it is so rich in local history. It is really fun and educational to go to, and even though they repeat many of the same people year after year (adding a few new ones, deleting others) we love to go and see this.

Here it is done around Memorial Day.

Re: Cemetery Tours

ROMARY — Mon, 28 Sep 2015 20:02:22 GMT

Something I haven't thought about. Don't recall seeing any tour buses or walking tours, so far. But, 'Never Say Never'.