The monument of Elizabeth Barrett Browning, English Cemetery, Florence, Italy. Photo by Loren Rhoads.
Q: There are a lot of cemetery aficionado groups on Facebook. What sets yours apart?
A: I’m trying to promote the artistic beauty and the peace that goes along with visiting our nation’s cemeteries.
Q: Do you have a policy about what is appropriate to post?
A: Most people are creeped out when it comes to cemeteries, so I want to show that there is nothing creepy or weird about cemetery photography. It’s been kinda slow lately, so I’m encouraging more people to get out there with their cameras and start snapping those pictures. I am trying to get more posts of cemeteries from around the country and around the world.
Q: How old is your group?
A: My group is a little over two years old.
Q: Is your group open to new members?
A: My group is always open to new members. The only criteria are a passion for cemeteries and you have to be an actual person, not some spam-spreader.
“The most interesting of New Orleans historic burial places…”
Q: There are a lot of cemetery aficionado groups on Facebook. What sets yours apart?
A: Graveyard Detectives provides a home for those interested in the World of Graveyards and Cemeteries. It takes a look at the stories behind the stones, as well as the symbolism, funerary architecture, and news about cemeteries from around the world. Photographs of memorials and gravestones, accompanied by some research on the person(s) they commemorate, are most welcome. If members of the group have any interesting related memorabilia, they are encouraged to share with this group. The purpose of the group is to help expand knowledge of this most fascinating area of interest.
Q: How old is your group?
A: It evolved out of my blog The Graveyard Detective, which launched in 2009. To this, I added a Graveyard Detective Facebook page, which highlights news about cemeteries worldwide. In late 2010, I created the Graveyard Detectives group to enable those interested in the subject to share their knowledge.
Q: Do you have a policy about what is appropriate to post?
A: I don’t have a published policy about what is appropriate or not. I have been fortunate, so far, that members of the group have stuck to the subject. That said, I do find an increasing number of people asking to join the group are unsuitable: mostly individuals with a profile picture of an attractive young woman, despite an about section that lists them as male — and there is only one post, which records that HE has changed HIS profile picture. Let those through and, suddenly, there is a post offering services or fashion bargains, etc. Response? Instant report, delete, and ban! I am an Admin on Cemetery Iron and find they get a certain number of dubious individuals wanting to join.
Membership of the group has risen more than 120% in the past three months and more people are posting in it. I think this is a reasonable indicator that the mix of content is probably about right.
Q: Is your group open to new members?
A: I run an open group, but prospective members need to ask to join.
Q: Are you a member of any other cemetery groups?
A: Twenty-eight related groups. There were more, but I recently withdrew from several and am likely to drop out of more in the future, concentrating on those I believe to add value to the subject.
Q: There are a lot of cemetery aficionado groups on Facebook. What sets yours apart?
A: Most of the cemetery groups I have created are related to specific cemeteries in my local area and one favorite (Lake View) in Cleveland. My most popular group, however, is “Cemetery Inscriptions, Epitaphs, and Symbols,” which currently has over 500 members. I also created Sensual Cemetery Art (only 165 members) to share some of the old and erotic statuary found around the world.
What sets mine apart? Hmmm. That’s hard to say. I’m not sure mine are all that different from others, other than they are focused or geared, for the most part, to specific cemeteries.
I also have a very small closed group called “Cemetery Sistas,” which consists of an “elite” (LOL) group of women from around the world who have bonded and become very close friends because of our love of cemeteries.
Q: Do you have a policy about what is appropriate to post?
A: The only thing I have asked in my Inscriptions group is to be sensitive as to how recently the person has departed before sharing their monuments in the group. I’d prefer, in this instance, that only the epitaphs/symbols be shared, sans the individuals’ information.
Q: How old is your group?
A: All my cemetery groups are over a year old.
Q: Is your Inscriptions group open to new members?
A: It is a closed group, but open to new members. I check the profile of each person who asks to join. If I see they have mutual “cemetery” friends, I add them without looking further. If they do not have mutual friends, I check other groups they are in, their cover photos, their profile pictures, etc. If I do not see anything related to genealogy, cemeteries, etc., I do not allow them in. I’m trying to avoid spammers. If I see they are in groups with non-English writing (such as Hebrew or Chinese), they are instantly rejected.
Q: Are you a member of any other cemetery groups?
A: I am a member of MANY cemetery groups … I would estimate approximately 20 to 30.
I have made absolutely WONDERFUL friends through these Facebook groups. It was a freeing experience to find that I was NOT ALONE with my deep connection and near-obsession of cemeteries. I live in a small town and am known as the “cemetery lady.” I’m not sure whether they are also implying that I am a crazy lady or not. Don’t really care. In general, too many people have misconceptions and ridiculous fears of cemeteries. They do not see the peace, the beauty, the serenity, and the history of them.
Jacob wrestles the angel at Hillside Memorial Park, Culver City, California. Photo by Loren Rhoads
Q: There are a lot of cemetery aficionado groups on Facebook. What sets yours apart?
A: Most cemetery groups are dominated Americans. I wanted an international group without boring gravestones or patriotism, because I think those aren’t dark or dreamy.
Q: Do you have a policy about what is appropriate to post?
A: Everything that really has to do with the love of cemeteries, but is not contrary to the rules of Facebook. I ask people only post 9 photos a day.
Q: How old is your group?
A: It was founded Easter 2012.
Q: Is your group open to new members?
A: Yes. I have no criteria for new members. I just hope to get the right ones.
The Old City Cemetery, Sacramento, California. Photo by Loren Rhoads
Q: There are a lot of cemetery aficionado groups on Facebook. What sets yours apart?
A: The Association of Graveyard Rabbits was started by the late Terry Thornton in October 2008. We are a group of cemetery bloggers: having a blog devoted to cemeteries is one of the requirements for membership.
Our mission: To promote the historical importance of cemeteries, grave markers, and the family history that can be learned from a study of burial customs, burying grounds, and tombstones. Our main website is http://www.thegraveyardrabbit.com/.
I’m a member of the Association and act as moderator for our Facebook group. (It’s not my group, I just moderate.) Terry started the group 5 years ago as a discussion place for members of (and anyone who is interested in) the Association. The Facebook group is an open group, so anyone can join. As the Association has not been very active recently, the Facebook is currently mostly a cemetery discussion group. Anyone with an interest in tombstones, cemeteries and burial customs can join. There is very little moderation in our group. As a moderator, I approve new members and occasionally weed out a few spammers. I rarely have to go beyond that to keep the discussions on topic.
Q: Do you have a policy about what is appropriate to post?
A: Discussions about the historical importance of cemeteries, grave markers, and the family history to be learned from a study of burial customs, burying grounds, and tombstones. It’s fine to share a link to related articles or blog posts (including your own).
Q: How old is your group?
A: We’ll soon be five years old.
Q: Is your group open to new members?
A: Anyone who wants to join (or just read) our discussions is welcome.
Q: Are you a member of any other cemetery groups?
A: Yes, several. I’m not very active in the discussions at the moment, though.
Click here to sign up for my monthly mailing list, which will keep you up to date on my speaking schedule and upcoming projects. As a thank you, you'll receive "4Elements," a short ebook that showcases one of my favorite cemetery essays, a travel essay, and two short stories, spanning from urban fantasy to science fiction.
