Dutch Funeral Museum give insight into different customs in different religions.
Boo! It’s that time of year where I like to recap the cemeteries I visited around the globe. I am terrified of horror movies and haunted houses, yet cemeteries excite me for some reason. I love visiting them when I’m traveling. Each culture has different burial methods and rituals, and I enjoy walking around and getting a feel for the customs by simply looking at the gravestones. Cemetery tourism is unusual, but I know I’m not alone. In Amsterdam people are interested enough in the process of burials to warrant having a funeral museum. Of course I went to it – and I highly recommend it as a quirky, unusual stop if you are in Amsterdam!
This year I visited some famous cemeteries in Buenos Aires, Stockholm, Normandy, and New Orleans. And then I came across a number of small unknown cemeteries and gravesights that surprised and moved me in Vietnam, Savannah, and Maui. Some of these I wrote specific articles about their history, and some I just photographed. So come take a walk with me through some beautiful, moving, creepy, and unusual cemeteries from my 2013 travels.
A single gravestone on the West Maui drive. People leave leis and other trinkets on it. I left my old leis there as a sign of respect.
Woodlands cemetery in Stockholm. The first cemetery to be named a Unesco World Heritage Site for it’s landscape, design and integration with nature.
A ‘protected’ grave in Colonial Park Cemetery Savannah Georgia. Many ghost tours stop here to tell some spooky stories. However I found this grave fascinating – I wondered if the person died while in jail!
A cemetery in the countryside near Hoi An Vietnam.
The German memorial cemetery in Normandy. An often overlooked stop in this historic region. It’s gorgeous in it’s own dark way.
An eerie grave door in Buenos Aires La Recoleta cemetery
St. Louis 1 cemetery in New Orleans. A unique burial process where numerous bodies are put in one graves-site above ground and let mother nature’s heat decompose them – therby saving space. This cemetery is also home to a bit of voodoo – an interesting history!
An interesting Hawaiian cemetery in Maui near Lahaina. It was all red dirt and barren, but people clearly care for it and stop often by the looks of the grave-sites.
Takes the awared for the most unusual! An indoor cemetery I accidentally came across in Saigon Vietnam. Mini caskets placed in glass compartments. Another space saver.
American memorial cemetery in Normandy at Omaha Beach. A beautiful tribute to peace and history.
I’m fascinated by cemeteries, too. I love the one at Normandy and it’s so interesting about St. Louis 1. Well, cemeteries in general.
Have you been to a Dia De Los Muertos celebration at a cemetery yet? I have it on my bucketlist. Also, we have a Funeral Museum in Houston. I have it on my list to visit.
Loren, I just discovered your cemetery list on your blog – so cool! How did you get into cemetery traveling? I don’t think I have seen anything like it before. Sure, people go to check out cemeteries, but dedicate a blog to it? Wow!
If you every plan to visit Romania, there are 2 lovely and interesting cemeteries: Merry Cemetery in Sapanta and the cemetery of Sulina city; a lot of history on each of them..
Great to see that there is more people out there who are as fascinated by cemeteries as I am! By the way, what did you think of the Recoleta cemetery in Buenos Aires? I was first impressed by how huge it was, row of stones and graves after row of stones and more graves. But then it started getting dark, and it became really really creepy. I left so fast, I didn’t even get to see Evita Perón’s grave…
I find rituals fascinating and the death and burial practises around the world top the list! They always combine spirituality with practicality (like saving space) and I loved your timely article and the insight to offered!
As an American who has been to Normandy, I absolutely love that shot of the American Cemetery, HOWEVER, I’m so glad you also included the shot of the German Cemetery at Normandy as well. It is one of the most over-looked places to visit during a trip to Normandy, and you captured it beautifully. The young men who died for Germany on D-Day should be remembered as well, as many were forced to fight and die for a cause they didn’t believe in. Thanks for including it!
This is surely a different and intriguing detours to add in every city you visit. Its more of the stories behind the cemetery of ghosts that walk and the design that is quite entertaining. Love your pictures too
We always try to made time to visit cemeteries when we travel. We not only find them very historic sites to visit but also the beautiful sculptures in many cemeteries are exquisite. The Old San Juan Cemetery east of El Morro Fort is one of the most beautiful examples of sculptures we have seen. I really enjoyed your post and photos.
I often visit cemeteries when I travel and agree it’s a great way to learn a bit more about the culture of the country you’re in.
Buenos Aires’ cemetery was a really peaceful space to walk around and to learn a bit about Argentina’s political history.
I find it interesting that the cemetery in Sucre, Bolivia is so tranquil and beautifully landscaped that the locals go there to read a book or catch up with friends. Not something I would see back home!
I'm Sherry, a corporate cube dweller turned nomadic traveler. I travel to off-the-beaten-path destinations to bring you unique travel experiences and photography. But it's not just about travel, it's also about life experiences of a middle age wanderer.
By [email protected] October 31, 2013 - 9:32 am
I’m fascinated by cemeteries, too. I love the one at Normandy and it’s so interesting about St. Louis 1. Well, cemeteries in general.
Have you been to a Dia De Los Muertos celebration at a cemetery yet? I have it on my bucketlist. Also, we have a Funeral Museum in Houston. I have it on my list to visit.
By Loren Rhoads October 31, 2013 - 11:24 am
Such lovely photos! Thanks for spreading the word about cemetery tourism.
If you’re ever in San Francisco, I’d love to show you some beautiful cemeteries.
By Marinela October 31, 2013 - 7:41 pm
Loren, I just discovered your cemetery list on your blog – so cool! How did you get into cemetery traveling? I don’t think I have seen anything like it before. Sure, people go to check out cemeteries, but dedicate a blog to it? Wow!
By Sorin October 31, 2013 - 4:50 pm
If you every plan to visit Romania, there are 2 lovely and interesting cemeteries: Merry Cemetery in Sapanta and the cemetery of Sulina city; a lot of history on each of them..
By Marinela October 31, 2013 - 7:39 pm
Great to see that there is more people out there who are as fascinated by cemeteries as I am! By the way, what did you think of the Recoleta cemetery in Buenos Aires? I was first impressed by how huge it was, row of stones and graves after row of stones and more graves. But then it started getting dark, and it became really really creepy. I left so fast, I didn’t even get to see Evita Perón’s grave…
By Mary @ Green Global Travel November 4, 2013 - 10:07 am
I find rituals fascinating and the death and burial practises around the world top the list! They always combine spirituality with practicality (like saving space) and I loved your timely article and the insight to offered!
By Dan @ ThisWorldRocks.com November 12, 2013 - 11:00 am
As an American who has been to Normandy, I absolutely love that shot of the American Cemetery, HOWEVER, I’m so glad you also included the shot of the German Cemetery at Normandy as well. It is one of the most over-looked places to visit during a trip to Normandy, and you captured it beautifully. The young men who died for Germany on D-Day should be remembered as well, as many were forced to fight and die for a cause they didn’t believe in. Thanks for including it!
By Bob | Nairobi Day Trips November 19, 2013 - 2:50 am
This is surely a different and intriguing detours to add in every city you visit. Its more of the stories behind the cemetery of ghosts that walk and the design that is quite entertaining. Love your pictures too
By rick December 1, 2013 - 9:42 pm
I guess this is a new concept of travel based on the personal interest. For the cultural experience seekers, it could be quite interesting.
By Barbara December 21, 2013 - 4:14 pm
We always try to made time to visit cemeteries when we travel. We not only find them very historic sites to visit but also the beautiful sculptures in many cemeteries are exquisite. The Old San Juan Cemetery east of El Morro Fort is one of the most beautiful examples of sculptures we have seen. I really enjoyed your post and photos.
By Charles McCool January 9, 2014 - 7:47 am
Wonderful images. I also visit cemeteries, usually for family history research. Great places for exercise, too.
By Brigid July 27, 2014 - 5:15 pm
I often visit cemeteries when I travel and agree it’s a great way to learn a bit more about the culture of the country you’re in.
Buenos Aires’ cemetery was a really peaceful space to walk around and to learn a bit about Argentina’s political history.
I find it interesting that the cemetery in Sucre, Bolivia is so tranquil and beautifully landscaped that the locals go there to read a book or catch up with friends. Not something I would see back home!
Lovely photos 🙂