tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-85440857495998223412024-03-13T14:08:16.541-07:00Whistling Past the GraveyardWhere do we go when we die? This blog examines what communities, planners and others are doing (and not doing) for cemeteries.Deborah Woodellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00246071603689121183noreply@blogger.comBlogger437125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-70363748740170492172017-01-25T18:21:00.002-08:002017-01-25T18:21:12.448-08:00It never rains in Southern California ... ...except that, when it does, it can <a href="http://laist.com/2017/01/25/sunken_graves.php">cause graves to sink</a> in an East Los Angeles cemetery.Deborah Woodellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00246071603689121183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-21124321324649262842015-06-05T14:11:00.003-07:002015-06-05T14:11:43.049-07:00Mausoleum so dilapidated, families want remains removedOfficials in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania, are <a href="http://wnep.com/2015/06/04/officials-to-meet-over-dilapidated-cemetery/">angr</a>y over a dilapidated mausoleum and may be ready to condemn the property and move the remains.Deborah Woodellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00246071603689121183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-13938945310226749462015-03-11T18:16:00.000-07:002015-03-11T18:16:41.570-07:00How human composting will change death in the cityLong time, no blog. I put some things up on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Whistling-Past-the-Graveyard/122792452430">Facebook</a> and also <a href="https://twitter.com/TaphoFiles">tweet</a> occasionally, but this deserves another platform for sharing, as well. Grist has a lengthy piece about the current state of death in the USA, but the overarching premise is the idea that "human composting" should be as natural as anything. <a href="http://grist.org/living/how-human-composting-will-change-death-in-the-city/?utm_content=buffer0ca54&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com&utm_campaign=buffer">Read</a> for yourself and see what you think.Deborah Woodellhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00246071603689121183noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-63644929860626275392013-02-25T19:47:00.002-08:002013-02-25T19:47:49.438-08:00Cemetery preservation programsThe following is from the National Preservation Institute:
The National Preservation Institute, a nonprofit organization founded in 1980, educates those involved in the management, preservation, and stewardship of cultural heritage. The 2013 National Preservation Institute seminar schedule is available online at www.npi.org. The 2013 NPI News Release includes the calendar and seminar descriptions www.npi.org/NewsRelease2013.pdf.
Advance registration is available through March 8, 2013
Scholarship applications accepted (see details below)
in cooperation with
the Chicora Foundation, Inc.,
Stafford County Cemetery Committee, and
the Virginia Department of Historic Resources
Cemetery Preservation
Stafford, VA — April 17-18, 2013
Learn how to begin a cemetery preservation or restoration project and how to help ensure that sound choices are made to avoid harming what you seek to protect. Discussions focus on current issues in cemetery preservation, such as recording and documenting cemeteries and graveyards, undertaking preservation efforts, and exploring conservation techniques and issues. An agenda is available online at www.npi.org.
Instructors. Debi Hacker, conservation administrator of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and preservation for museums, archives, and historic organizations and Michael Trinkley, Ph.D., director of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and
Cemetery Landscapes: A Practical Guide to Care and Maintenance
Stafford, VA — April 19, 2013
Learn how to protect historic cemetery landscapes, preserve integrity of design, and safeguard tombstones and monuments while pursuing a practical outlook on maintenance and budget concerns. Explore approaches to caring for softscapes, or plantings, and hardscapes, including roads, pathways, and benches. Discuss effective pruning and cutting techniques, and when chemicals and heavy equipment can be safely and productively used. Review the basics of short- and long-term preservation plans. An agenda is available online at www.npi.org.
Instructor. Debi Hacker
LA/CES. These seminars meet the criteria for programs in the American Society of Landscape Architects Continuing Education System and ASLA members will receive 6 learning units each day.
Registration. A registration form is available online at www.npi.org/register.html. The advance registration rate is available through March 8 — $450 (2 days – Cem Pres) / $275 (1 day – Cem Landscape) / $600 (3 days – both seminars).
The regular registration rate after that date is $500 (2 days – Cem Pres) / $325 (1 day – Cem Landscape) / $650 (3 days – both seminars).
Scholarships. A National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant for scholarships covers the cost of tuition for qualified applicants to attend NPI seminars in targeted cultural resource management areas. For more information and the application form, go to www.npi.org/scholarships.
Questions? Please contact us. Thank you.
Jere Gibber
Executive Director
National Preservation Institute
P.O. Box 1702, Alexandria, VA 22313
703/765-0100; 703/768-9350 fax
info@npi.org; www.npi.org
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-24650305906305294502012-08-23T08:28:00.002-07:002012-08-23T08:28:22.951-07:00From the National Preservation Institute
The National Preservation Institute, a nonprofit organization founded in 1980, educates those involved in the management, preservation, and stewardship of cultural heritage. The 2012-2013 National Preservation Institute seminar schedule is available online at www.npi.org. The 2012-2013 NPI News Release includes the calendar and seminar descriptions www.npi.org/NewsRelease2012-13.pdf.
Advance registration is available through September 4, 2012
Scholarship applications accepted (see details below)
in cooperation with the Chicora Foundation, Inc. and
Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources
Cemetery Preservation
Tallahassee, FL — October 10-11, 2012
Learn how to begin a cemetery preservation or restoration project and how to help ensure that sound choices are made to avoid harming what you seek to protect. Discussions focus on current issues in cemetery preservation, such as recording and documenting cemeteries and graveyards, undertaking preservation efforts, and exploring conservation techniques and issues. An agenda is available online at www.npi.org.
Instructors. Debi Hacker, conservation administrator of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and preservation for museums, archives, and historic organizations and Michael Trinkley, Ph.D., director of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and
Cemetery Landscapes: A Practical Guide to Care and Maintenance
Tallahassee, FL — October 12, 2012
Learn how to protect historic cemetery landscapes, preserve integrity of design, and safeguard tombstones and monuments while pursuing a practical outlook on maintenance and budget concerns. Explore approaches to caring for softscapes, or plantings, and hardscapes, including roads, pathways, and benches. Discuss effective pruning and cutting techniques, and when chemicals and heavy equipment can be safely and productively used. Review the basics of short- and long-term preservation plans. An agenda is available online at www.npi.org.
Instructor. Debi Hacker
LA/CES. These seminars meet the criteria for programs in the American Society of Landscape Architects Continuing Education System and ASLA members will receive 6 learning units each day.
Registration. A registration form is available online at www.npi.org/register.html. The advance registration rate is available through September 4 — $450 (2 days – Cem Pres) / $275 (1 day – Cem Landscape) / $600 (3 days – both seminars).
The regular registration rate after that date is $500 (2 days – Cem Pres) / $325 (1 day – Cem Landscape) / $650 (3 days – both seminars).
Scholarships. A National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant for scholarships covers the cost of tuition for qualified applicants to attend NPI seminars in targeted cultural resource management areas. For more information and the application form, go to www.npi.org/scholarships.
Questions? Please contact us. Thank you.
Jere Gibber
Executive Director
National Preservation Institute
P.O. Box 1702, Alexandria, VA 22313
703/765-0100; 703/768-9350 fax
info@npi.org; www.npi.org
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-5205665298522236862012-08-23T08:05:00.000-07:002012-08-23T08:05:19.345-07:00California dreamin': New cemetery possible in MalibuAs officials in Malibu ponder what to do to preserve open space in their community, some people <a href="http://malibusurfsidenews.com/stories/201208/201208230005.html">think</a> that a so-called green, or environmental, cemetery must be just the ticket.
Spearheading the idea is Pepperdine University official Dennis Torres, who told the Malibu Surfside News he first proposed a cemetery for the space about 20 years ago and "was laughed at." Pepperdine owns some of the land in question, according to this news report.
Reported the website:
<blockquote>Two town hall sessions have been held so far. The panel was formed just months ago. Ad hoc committee member [Laura] Rosenthal [who is also the mayor] said, at the outset of the meetings, "Preserving vacant land zoned for commercial use is one way to ensure that Malibu retains its rural landscape. We look forward to productive meeting[s] filled with great ideas."</blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-89061158435740920182012-07-10T07:50:00.000-07:002012-07-10T07:50:43.292-07:00Severe weather mapThe folks at ESRI, creators of the Arc series of mapmaking software, have a <a href="http://www.esri.com/services/disaster-response/severe-weather/latest-news-map.html">continously updating map</a> of severe weather across the United States. Not cemetery-related per se, but cemeteries suffer weather damage, too.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-3027443260929484632012-05-02T08:58:00.004-07:002012-05-02T08:58:58.433-07:00NJ cemetery goes solarIn order to <a href="http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/05/the_afterlife_gets_a_new_charg.html">cut electricity costs</a> for its mausoleum, a cemetery in northern New Jersey has installed solar panels.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-76236892002410789292012-05-02T08:55:00.000-07:002012-05-02T08:55:24.440-07:00Cemetery workA writer in Iowa <a href="http://columbustelegram.com/news/local/cemetery-job-like-caring-for-a-park/article_fea7502c-9456-11e1-bd76-001a4bcf887a.html">notes</a> that caring for a cemetery is like working in a park.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-87690919860061891002012-03-26T08:49:00.002-07:002012-03-26T08:52:24.733-07:00Struggling Philadelphia-area cemeteriesThe Philadelphia Inquirer had a <a href="http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20120325_For_cemeteries__an_eternal_task.html?page=2&c=y">good story</a> over the weekend about several cemeteries that are falling into neglect and disrepair. I've done research on this in the past, and know that it is an ongoing problem in society. There's a sad-but-true quote from Bob Fels, who notes:<br /><blockquote>Cemeteries are still the only businesses that have to service what they sell forever.</blockquote>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-51132251064194493242012-02-27T16:52:00.003-08:002012-02-27T16:54:07.556-08:00Southern New Jersey cemetery needs assistanceThe Philadelphia NBC affiliate reports on a neglected <a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Historic-Cemetery-Needs-Help--140651893.html">African American cemeter</a>y in Lawnside, New Jersey, that could use some TLC.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-50041304145581779022012-01-13T16:04:00.001-08:002012-01-13T16:05:47.230-08:00New doc features Jewish cemetery in GermanyThe Los Angeles Times has <a href="http://lat.ms/ABYDe8">reviewed</a> a new documentary about the Weissensee Jewish cemetery in East Berlin.<br /> Among other things, the review notes how many of the honored WWI dead were members of the German elite.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-33803886855120085182012-01-13T15:46:00.001-08:002012-01-13T15:47:42.670-08:00Welcome The Cemetery Record to this blogCame across a web publication <a href="http://paper.li/gen_freak/1308580480">The Cemetery Record</a> today, and just added it to this blog. You will find it in the righthand columnUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-63748679325596016692012-01-06T15:10:00.001-08:002012-01-06T15:14:36.390-08:00Update: Man arrested in New Jersey cemetery heistPolice have <a href="http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Man-Arrested-for-Cemetery-Thefts-Cops--136836828.html">arrested a man</a> in the case of metal cemetery urns stolen in Cherry Hill, New Jersey.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-89567322363475148402012-01-06T06:52:00.000-08:002012-01-06T07:02:25.237-08:00N.J. cops probe theft of metal from cemetery<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHlOT-vXs58/TwcM1y8L9jI/AAAAAAAAAEc/EZ_TwqLYMeI/s1600/CherryHill.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 248px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xHlOT-vXs58/TwcM1y8L9jI/AAAAAAAAAEc/EZ_TwqLYMeI/s320/CherryHill.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5694534372180096562" /></a><br /> Police in Cherry Hill, New Jersey, are <a href="http://www.courierpostonline.com/article/20120106/NEWS01/301060023/Cherry-Hill-cemetery-metal-thefts-probed">investigating the theft</a> of precious metals from cemetery displays.<br /> I've written before about the fact that such thievery is a negative externality; specifically, already strapped law-enforcement and judicial resources are forced to be stretched even further to investigate and adjudicate these crimes.<br /> Resolved for 2012: to explore how such increased negative externalities might, in fact, help boost the cause for green cemeteries. Given how squeamish some folks seem to be regarding natural burial - despite that fact it was perfectly fine up until the last 150 years or so - perhaps part of the sales pitch should be that green cemeteries reduce crime.<br /><em>Photo credit: Jose F. Moreno/Courier-Post</em>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-79917313349541550552011-08-31T17:20:00.000-07:002011-08-31T17:22:48.570-07:00Arlington uses smartphonesGiven the posts I've made in the past about the mismanagement at Arlington, it's worth mentioning that they are using new technology in <a href="http://bit.ly/okioWy">smartphones</a> to catalog graves.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-20288599477674227822011-08-31T17:08:00.000-07:002011-08-31T17:09:32.195-07:00Cemetery Preservation WorkshopHere's a news release from the National Preservation Institute:
<br />
<br />The National Preservation Institute, a nonprofit organization founded in 1980, educates those involved in the management, preservation, and stewardship of our cultural heritage. The 2011-2012 National Preservation Institute seminar schedule is available online at www.npi.org. The 2011-2012 NPI News Release includes the calendar and seminar descriptions www.npi.org/NewsRelease2011-12.pdf.
<br />
<br />Advance registration is available through September 14, 2011
<br />Scholarships applications accepted (see details below)
<br />in cooperation with the Chicora Foundation, Inc.,
<br />the Public History Program, School of Historical, Philosophical, and Religious Studies, Arizona State University, and the State Historic Preservation Office, Arizona State Parks
<br />
<br />Cemetery Preservation
<br />Phoenix, AZ – October 25-26, 2011
<br />
<br />Learn how to begin a cemetery preservation or restoration project and how to help ensure that sound choices are made to avoid harming what you seek to protect. Discussions focus on current issues in cemetery preservation, such as recording and documenting cemeteries and graveyards, undertaking preservation efforts, and exploring conservation techniques and issues. An agenda is available online at www.npi.org.
<br />
<br />Instructors. Debi Hacker, conservation administrator of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and preservation for museums, archives, and historic organizations and Michael Trinkley, Ph.D., director of Chicora Foundation, Inc., a nonprofit heritage preservation organization specializing in research, public education, conservation, and
<br />
<br />Cemetery Landscapes: A Practical Guide to Care and Maintenance
<br />Phoenix, AZ – October 27, 2011
<br />
<br />Learn how to protect historic cemetery landscapes, preserve integrity of design, and safeguard tombstones and monuments while pursuing a practical outlook on maintenance and budget concerns. Explore approaches to caring for softscapes, or plantings, and hardscapes, including roads, pathways, and benches. Discuss effective pruning and cutting techniques, and when chemicals and heavy equipment can be safely and productively used. Review the basics of short- and long-term preservation plans. An agenda is available online at www.npi.org.
<br />
<br />Instructor. Debi Hacker
<br />
<br />LA/CES. These seminars meet the criteria for programs in the American Society of Landscape Architects Continuing Education System and ASLA members will receive 6 learning units each day.
<br />
<br />Registration. A registration form is available online at www.npi.org/register.html. The advance registration rate is available through September 14 — $450 (2 days – Cem Pres) / $275 (1 day – Cem Landscape) / $600 (3 days – both seminars).
<br />
<br />The regular registration rate after that date is $500 (2 days – Cem Pres) / $325 (1 day – Cem Landscape) / $650 (3 days – both seminars).
<br />
<br />Scholarships. A National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) grant for scholarships covers the cost of tuition for qualified applicants to attend NPI seminars in targeted cultural resource management areas. For more information and the application form, go to www.npi.org/scholarships.
<br /> Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-51676976259525018062011-06-09T11:33:00.000-07:002011-06-09T11:34:31.121-07:00Wyoming cemetery nears capacityThe municipal cemetery in Melrose, Wyoming, is close to capacity, so officials are set to <a href="http://bit.ly/jfDsJb">begin </a>an expansion project, which will include, among other things, double-depth gravesites, for family members.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-34827866911934495972011-06-01T09:17:00.000-07:002011-06-01T09:21:50.956-07:00Two ongoing woes at cemeteries: vandalism and neglectI could post for hours on end about the problem of vandalism at cemeteries. We know that, at the very least, it causes extra work to right the wrong, and, beyond that are the police and judicial man-hours to bring the perpetrators to justice (negative externalities, as these things are called in geographic terms). Still, it's worthwhile to post an occasional reminder that this is an ongoing problem. Here are two cases in my neck of the woods: one at a <a href="http://bit.ly/l7w51j">Jewish cemetery</a> in Egg Harbor Township, New Jersey, and the other in <a href="http://bit.ly/jtOgxM">Camden</a>.<br /><br />Meanwhile, in Memphis, Tennessee, <a href="http://bit.ly/lWKSlJ">visitors</a> are shocked and dismayed at the poor condition of the Hollywood CemeteryUnknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-35575374442455625572011-05-26T19:41:00.000-07:002011-05-26T19:59:59.317-07:00A growing trend? VA cemeteries confronted by increased demandWith more veterans from World War II, Korea and Vietnam dying, plus those killed in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, veterans cemeteries are facing increased demand, <a href="http://bit.ly/masAfV">reports</a> the Chicago Tribune.<br /> Chris Erbe, of the National Cemetery Administration, tells the paper that, with many cemeteries starting to run out of room, 19 expansion projects are in the works nationwide to deal with the increased demand.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-49170135520467124172011-05-25T10:23:00.001-07:002011-05-25T10:30:28.743-07:00Memorial Day<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKwBjBr-q4Q/Td08nKpee4I/AAAAAAAAADw/1oIKdrrywZw/s1600/064.JPG"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RKwBjBr-q4Q/Td08nKpee4I/AAAAAAAAADw/1oIKdrrywZw/s320/064.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5610707354344389506" /></a><br />I haven't been very good at keeping up with this blog lately, and, for that, I do apologize. But it has not gone unnoticed here that Memorial Day is coming up this weekend and I just wanted to send you a brief reminder to pay proper tribute to those who died for this country, but also to pay proper tribute to those who work tirelessly - and, largely, anonymously - to get those gravesites ready, and will continue to do so, long after the last flag is waved and red-white-and-blue bike passes by on the parade route.<br /> I intend to spend part of the holiday where I do every year, visiting the graves in Voorhees, New Jersey, of "Colored" soldiers who served under Union command during the Civil War. While Memorial Day generally is devoted to commemorating those who gave "the last full measure of devotion," I like to remember all who served.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-48256163777166782212011-03-09T09:08:00.000-08:002011-03-09T09:09:57.934-08:00Massachusetts mudslide carries away part of a cemeteryTorrential rains <a href="http://bit.ly/f2BjR6">proved disastrous</a> in one Massachusetts community, as mudslides damaged a local cemetery.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-28474473757430889352011-03-09T09:06:00.001-08:002011-03-09T09:07:15.377-08:00College welding students create cemetery gateStudents at a community college in Mississippi <a href="http://bit.ly/hdbBKg">create a sign</a> at the entrance of a cemetery. What a great way to get young people involved in cemetery care.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-4552596842055182522011-03-09T09:02:00.000-08:002011-03-09T09:03:56.818-08:00Adopt a cemetery?Officials in Attleboro, Massachusetts, are <a href="http://bit.ly/fWs3Dt">considering a plan </a>to allow citizens to adopt abandoned/orphaned cemeteries as part of it's Adopt-a-Spot program.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8544085749599822341.post-1998870948743706542011-01-27T11:47:00.000-08:002011-01-27T11:49:01.493-08:00Mississippi town changes course; no cell tower in cemeteryOfficials in Ellisville, Mississippi, and Cellular South <a href="http://bit.ly/hjdua0">have agreed</a> to find another location for a cell-phone tower, and won't locate it in a local cemetery.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0