Saturday, August 09, 2008

incidental list of potential criteria used in hastily reasoned value judgement of cemetery quality

1. Thick healthy foliage, trees and flora of varying and multiple types.

2. Combination of very old and very new graves (i.e. cemetery must feel at once historical and contemporary). I find something thrilling about seeing a dug grave, pending burial; in piles of sand, soil and Astroturf united by death. It's a reminder of the process, not just the finality of the ancient weathered grave.

3. Exhaustive catalogue of unusual and inspirational names as documented on headstones.

4. Possible selection of chapels/buildings (both disused and operative).

5. Memorial benches for casual (and mournful) seating.

6. Paths hidden amidst long grasses, low branches and perpetual shade.

7. Old man with dessert gooseberries.

8. Mausoleums.

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