Call to Action: Cemeteries

Last week we discovered circuses hidden in churches and workhouses turned into hospitals in our week of extraordinary conversions.  This week we’re delving into cemeteries, from those forgotten village cemeteries to the rather grander mausoleums.  From the spooky to the ostentatious, cemeteries come in all shapes and all sizes.  Personally, I favour the forgotten ones, which you just happen to stumble upon; the ones which look slightly neglected with overgrown grass, moss covered graves and barely readable headstones which you try your hardest to understand as if by doing so grants you the ability to ‘rest in peace’ as well!

Whilst visiting the wonderful Bruce Castle Museum in Tottenham the other day, I did that very thing – stumble upon All Hallows Graveyard.  The slightly disconcerting thing was that dusk was upon me, but something about the faint light emitting over the graves from the church seemed to beckon me in. Was I totally mad – a woman, walking around a graveyard in the dark on her own?  Well yes, perhaps I was, but that little bit of fear made it all the more exciting! As I moved from grave to grave, albeit a little tentatively, I admit, I couldn’t help thinking about all the people, families and stories that were buried deep beneath my feet.  Who were they all, what had they done in their lives, how old were they and how did they die?

It made me think about my own life and what happens when I die.  Would I want to be cremated or buried – I’m not quite sure.  One thing I do know though is that my headstone would quite simply say – BOO!

What would yours say?  If you’ve got some interesting cemetery stories to unearth, ‘scuse the pun, please send them in!