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GraveNet Resources
 The Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) - founded in 1977 for the purpose of furthering the study and preservation of gravestones. AGS is an international organization with an interest in gravemarkers of all periods and styles. Through its publications, conferences, workshops and exhibits, AGS promotes the study of gravestones from historical and artistic perspectives, expands public awareness of the significance of historic gravemarkers, and encourages individuals and groups to record and preserve gravestones. At every opportunity, AGS cooperates with groups that have similar interests.
Cemetery Studies Going to a local cemetery can have many educational values. One main purpose of studying a cemetery is to encourage an appreciation of the unique historical significance of that place. Nearly every community has an old cemetery of historic and educational value. A study of it can reveal much about the lives of people of the past. Once there you can enjoy the wonderful artwork and architecture of the mausoleums.
A cemetery is a quiet place; much contemplation can take place there. One can learn about the philosophy prevailing and their decoration and epitaphs. Gaze upon the monuments and come to understand the staturay and iconography common upon them.
Of course the students just think, "This is a really cool day!"
Two Cemeteries of Macau
A Comparison By Becky Williams Two Cemeteries - Similarities and Differences is a student's essay with photos. The site provides a good example of comparative writing using observations made in cemeteries.
 The Political GraveYard Site: "A cemetery is an open-air reference library, a statuary park, a gallery of architectural styles, a carefully constructed model landscape, a repository of community memory, a complex cultural artifact. Cemeteries may change or even be uprooted, but usually they are much more stable than their surroundings, and hence can serve as a window on the past. Every cemetery or graveyard is different; those differences reflecting varieties of landscape, soil and water conditions, ethnicity, history, politics, economics, transportation, climate, attitudes toward death, attitudes toward nature, etc."
This site features a wealth of links for cemeteries and cemetery information.
 The Cemetery Art site features viewing cemeteries and their markers as artforms, graveside memorials (which are approved by MADD), and mausoleums with stained glass, all with many photos.
The The Tombstone Travellers Guide by Christina Leima begins, "Cemeteries are outdoor art galleries;
repositories of a society's most cherished values and beliefs,
a record of collective and individual life." This site includes a list of symbols and their meaings, tall tales, cemetery etiquette, a list and brief description of favorite cemeteries, and wonderful photos." This site contains Excellent information with clear pictures of roadside monuments includes informations such as the following, "Levanta de la Cruz", or the Raising of the Cross, is a Hispanic custom of marking the spot where the soul leaves the body.
The Vermont Old Cemetery Association, a non-profit organization has lessons and activities to study history and some geology
Although GraveNet is not a study of Halloween, it is interesting that many cultures have a special day to celebrate and honor their dead. The ancient Celts are thought to be the first people who celebrated "Haloween". See this informative page and learn more about the celebration of the dead from culture to culture.
To learn more about the Día de los Muertos celebration and its cultural and historical significance, see our activities page. Here you will find links, ideas, and materials written in Spanish!
 Did you know that orange and yellow marigolds also called cempazuchitl or zempasuciti symbolize death. For a glossary of terms useful in the study of Día de los Muertos, see this USC site.
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