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Paula's Genealogical Eclectica
(Paula Stewart-Warren) blog recently had a post Cafes in
cemeteries: will the idea come to the U.S.? which is based on an ABC News Story
that she saw (read her article and access the original story). Earlier this week there was a related
article, Berlin Operators
Take Lively New Approach to Cemetery Cafes.
As soon as I saw
this, I was reminded that my husband’s mom would tell us stories of picnicking
in the cemetery with her mom, dad, siblings, aunt and cousin near where family
members were buried. It was a chance to
come together and spend some time with the memories of the dearly departed
where they are memorialized.
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| Google Search on Cemetery Rules |
With how strict
many cemeteries have become in terms of flower arrangements (whether you can
place any or not), monuments (whether you can have or not) and many other
rules, cemeteries have often become a place where our ancestors are buried and
yet are not necessarily hospitable places to visit. And, it’s become more challenging to
personally honor their burial plots.
Fortunately, my mother’s family are all buried in a cemetery where
family members can still plant whatever they would like (within reason), clear
out the weeds, keep the stone clean and perform other rituals as a form of
remembrance for our family members who are no longer with us.
Think about when
the children are young – you want to bring them to the cemetery where their
ancestors are buried and yet they want to run around while you want to more
solemnly remember these individuals. You
often end up rushing through the cemetery and/or someone is designated to find
the nearest playground. If there was a
cafe in the cemetery, you could ALL peacefully enjoy some refreshment and then
hopefully be able to more leisurely remember those buried there.
Or, your ancestors
are buried in a very attractive cemetery where you would like to spend some
time except your options are limited to walking the cemetery or standing “over”
the tombstones of interest. How many
cemeteries include even benches? Even
department stores and malls now provide more places for sitting (and often even
kid play areas) so that those not as engaged in shopping can rest their feet,
enjoy a beverage, check the internet on their smart phone and otherwise keep
themselves occupied while the shoppers can keep doing just that. Wouldn’t it be nice if more cemeteries became
just a bit more welcoming to visitors and actually encouraged you to stay for
awhile?
What do you think? Would you find a cemetery cafe tasteful or tasteless?
Is there a cemetery near you or where family is buried which provides a
cafe or some other amenities to not only encourage visiting and to make it
visiting maybe less stressful for those who are intimidated by visiting a
cemetery?
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