Converting Cemeteries to Picnic Sites the Way to Go

 That death forms part of a human’s life circle is a known fact. Whereas some sees it as a rebirth or reincarnation to a new being or a better life in the hereafter, others hold it death is the cessation of life altogether with superstitions shrouding the dead having grown a life of their own. Regardless of your take on death, it is an inescapable fact we all will face it as a final bow of exiting this worldly stage.

  A visit to cemeteries or mausoleums conjures the memories of the departed ones or evokes a dread fear. It seems there is mysticism surrounding souls resting places that not many would pay visits to graves of their loved ones leaving them in neglect. A careful look will, however, reveal the importance many regards the resting places of dear ones as far as entombing or burying their remains is concerned.

  Graves have carried some important significance from time immemorial. Think of the pyramids of Egypt and the treasures pharaohs were buried with to ‘ease’ their comforts in the netherworld. Even today, the dead are lavished richly – no wonder grave robbers have existed since time immemorial and had made a killing in desecrating graves and stealing from the dead!

  Cemeteries and mausoleums can offer another perspective other than a place of dread or gloom. Indeed, in some countries, graveyards and mausoleums serve as parks or tourist attractions like in case of Egyptian pyramids. Keen observers will not fail to realize the beauty of art and architecture adorning many graves. Some inscriptions on tombstones have a literary rendering going by poetic arrangement of some words.

  Not many see the importance of graves or obsessions with the dead. In Islam, for example, the dead are buried immediately without much fanfare and the religion prohibits the cementing of the graves. However, some graves are regarded as sacred like the tombs of martyrs or significant persons of the religion.

  Graves are reminders of our mortality and visiting cemeteries is one way we can reflect about life. It is immaterial how well the graves are constructed or maintained. A grave can be seen as a midpoint between the present and the eternity and offer one a sober reflection on life.

  Sadly, local authorities have failed to make cemeteries pleasant places for people to visit, and at a small fee and increase revenue generation. Weeds have been left to overrun places or old graves opened up to make room for new bodies. Instances abound of cemeteries grabbed and houses constructed upon dead bodies. It is callous, as it shows some people treats death lightly or doesn’t have any respect for the dead.

In advanced countries, some mausoleums have objects from antiquities and are places visitors can learn something from history.

  Specifically, a grave has a dimension of six feet by three and a depth of six feet. Marbled grave are common and perhaps the headstone is one that is easily catching – though majority elects for simple wooden crosses.

  Headstones come in various colours can be made of marble, granite limestone and bronze and can be given a final finish that will make them attractive to the eye (like polishing). Upright headstones are the commonest but there are flat ones with some raised a bit to allow for water to run off.

  A gravestone can tell more about the person buried beneath. Some are bought with engraved epitaphs like bible verses but inscriptions capturing the life of departed one should be well thought and kept short.

  Even though the dead are equal in the graves, there are some distinctions if the place one is interred at matters. Some cemeteries are costly and can be classified as for the well to do and others are simply dump sites for the dead poor!