The allure of cemetery exploration: Discovering beauty and solace in graveyard visits

From her childhood until college, Karie Bible, a film historian, resided next to a cemetery for the majority of her formative years. This location served as a backdrop for her bike rides, playtime with her brother, and a daily route she traversed. While other children may have shared eerie tales or believed in their haunted nature, Bible held a firm belief in the significance of cemeteries.

She told CNN that it was normal for her to be living right next to a cemetery, and she always found them to be extremely beautiful. As an adult, she eventually found herself in one of the most renowned cemeteries in the United States: Hollywood Forever. This cemetery pays tribute to Old Hollywood and the individuals who played a significant role in its development. During her visits to the graves of silent film star Marion Davies, acclaimed director Cecil B. DeMille, and youthful icon Judy Garland, she discovered numerous captivating stories to share.

More than two decades have passed since then. Since that time, she has served as the official tour guide for the cemetery, guiding visitors on monthly expeditions around the premises. These treks allow visitors to explore the intricate mausoleums, modest tombstones, and diverse tributes dedicated to both renowned celebrities and ordinary people from the world of Hollywood.

In an interview with CNN, she expressed her deep affection for these individuals and the immense satisfaction she derives from preserving their memories and upholding their legacies.

Bible spends her days engaging with "tombstone tourists" - enthusiastic cemetery enthusiasts who travel far and wide to explore notable burial sites and immerse themselves in their historical significance. (Philip Stone, founder and director of the Institute of Dark Tourism Research at the University of Central Lancashire, compared this phenomenon to "visiting the grand mansions of the deceased.")

Although cemeteries may not be conventional tourist destinations, they have become indispensable destinations for history aficionados, those with an appreciation for aesthetics, and inquisitive visitors seeking to deepen their understanding of the local community. "Tombstone tourists" consistently encourage others to explore the eerie beauty that lies within these sacred grounds.

Cemeteries are teeming with history

"To me, a cemetery resembles an art museum," expressed Joy Neighbors, an author who passionately explores her fascination with cemeteries on her blog A Grave Interest. "It is consistently an exhilarating journey and perpetually a remarkable encounter to enter, explore, and discover what awaits."

Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia, represents "Southern gothic at its finest," Bible said.

According to Sue Slocum, an associate professor of hospitality at George Mason University, individuals frequently visit cemeteries to establish a link with the past and explore their own curiosity regarding death and the afterlife.

Cemetery tourism is categorized as "dark tourism," which encompasses travel to places connected to death. According to Slocum, dark tourism revolves around a fascination with mortality. Currently, she is instructing a course on this topic and believes that cemeteries commemorate both the community and the individuals laid to rest.

Cemeteries are a treasure trove for those curious about history. The tombstones themselves serve as powerful reminders of the past and the individuals laid to rest beneath them, according to local residents. The intricate and well-preserved designs offer insights into the specific time period they were created in; for instance, an elaborate tombstone may signify the burial of a prominent and affluent member of the community.

Moreover, the symbols depicted on gravestones also convey meaningful narratives. During the 19th and 20th centuries, it was common for gravestones to feature religious symbols or indications of group affiliations, such as the Masonic square and compass. Lambs often symbolize children, as noted by the locals, while some tombstones resemble trees with severed limbs, representing the loss of family members.

Even the birth and death dates can tell rich, devastating stories without words, she said.

"It really makes you respect your heritage and the past," Neighbors said.

Many gravesites have become popular tourist destinations due to their architectural beauty, famous "residents," or historical significance. For instance, the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah, Georgia, is a renowned Southern Gothic burial ground that houses the remains of hundreds of Confederate soldiers, veterans of the Spanish-American War, and members of prominent 19th-century families from Savannah. Similarly, the St. Mary Magdalene Churchyard in East Ham, located outside of London, was a Roman burial site that remained dormant for centuries until its discovery in the 19th century. Lastly, the St. Louis Cemetery No. 1 in New Orleans is not only a final resting place for many locals, but it is also the birthplace of numerous urban legends. Notably, it is the eternal home of Voodoo queen Marie Laveau.

St. Mary Magdalene Churchyard in East Ham is one of the oldest of its kind in the UK.

Richard Barnes/Alamy Stock Photo

"Cemeteries possess distinctive personalities," Bible remarked. "Each one harbors its own unique history and style; none of them offer the same encounter."

In certain locations, Neighbors mentioned, cemeteries function akin to parks. For instance, in Edinburgh, Scotland, the Greyfriars Kirkyard cemetery remains accessible round the clock, attracting visitors who engage in activities such as knitting, reading, enjoying meals, and meeting friends amidst its historic tombstones. (Furthermore, it serves as the resting place for Greyfriars Bobby, a loyal terrier who is said to have guarded his owner's grave for 14 years. Visitors often bring sticks for him to play fetch, serving as a way to "invite people" into the cemetery rather than alienating them.)

"To me, thats what a cemetery should be," she said.

Cemeteries are more welcoming than they seem

The Bible witnesses a significant number of rowdy visitors at cemeteries. "There is a purpose behind the presence of bike racks around Jim Morrison's grave," she mentioned, referring to the protective barriers surrounding The Doors frontman's headstone at Père Lachaise cemetery in Paris.

However, she empathizes with individuals dealing with complex emotions when visiting cemeteries. She acknowledged that these visits sometimes trigger painful memories or aching sorrow over the loss of a loved one.

The grave of Jim Morrison, the lead singer of The Doors, at Père Lachaise in Paris, has become a notorious tourist attraction with reports of inappropriate behavior.

Cemeteries have traditionally been seen as places of serene respect, rather than destinations for tourism or relaxation. Slocum suggests that preserving an atmosphere of solemnity in cemeteries is a uniquely American idea. For a long time, it was deemed almost disrespectful to visit a cemetery purely for enjoyment, according to Neighbors.

According to neighbors, passing the cemetery used to be a tense moment, as if holding one's breath. However, there has been a significant shift - historic cemeteries worldwide are now actively promoting visits from tourists, allowing them to explore the premises and discover the stories of those who lie beneath. Neighbors have observed an increasing number of families, joggers, and even musicians spending regular time at their local cemeteries, a trend that was uncommon just a decade ago. Cemeteries like Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery have transformed into focal points of the community, where locals walk their dogs, enjoy picnics, and not only tourists but also residents.

"People began to recognize the stunning potential of this location beyond its association with visiting the deceased," commented Neighbors. "There is an abundance of untapped experiences waiting to be uncovered."

How to do tombstone tourism right

Bible emphasized the importance of having a purpose when visiting a cemetery, stating that it allows one to maintain respect and curiosity.

Cemeteries are places of contemplation and commemoration, not meant for littering, loitering, or partying like the ill-fated characters in scary tales. Although you can explore public cemeteries independently, many provide guided tours to educate visitors about their history and the individuals laid to rest there. Slocum recommended joining a guided tour of a cemetery for a more enriching experience.

Show reverence for the surroundings.

Some well-known gravesites, such as Hollywood Forever, continue to function as working cemeteries, providing funeral services and conducting burials and cremations. It is advisable to enter cemeteries, even those that offer tours or events, in a respectful manner in case there are ongoing funeral services, according to Bible. Therefore, even during Halloween-themed tours that highlight the eerie aspects of cemeteries, it is crucial to show "common decency for the deceased, victims, and their families," as stated by Stone.

Avoid going where you are not wanted.

Some cemeteries do not welcome visitors. Slocum advises respecting the wishes of private or culturally significant gravesites that discourage non-community members from visiting.