I have, from my earliest childhood, been drawn to cemeteries, finding them to be places of peace and tranquility, perfect for coming face to face with the unexplainable beauty that comes with pondering the mystery of life. I remember spending many afternoons as a teenager, strolling aimlessly through cemeteries, reading grave after grave of those I had never even known, notebook and pen in hand, camera slung over my shoulder. I can still feel the coolness of the headstones, as I would reach out and clear away weeds, dirt, and debris from the engraved words that seemed to be all that was left of a precious life lived and lost. Little did I know then, that my cemetery walking, snapping, and recording would come to have the name of “graving” and that over the years, it would gain popularity not only as a hobby but for the purpose of keeping records for future generations.

Basically, “graving” is just that….the hobby of walking through cemeteries for personal enjoyment or for the purpose of recording headstone information through various means such as journaling, photography, drawings etc….”graving” is extremely important for Genealogists, for those studying history , and for those who want to learn more about the famous who have passed.

“Graving” got its name from an online site called findagrave.com. “Find a Grave” is a

free, searchable database that has over 20 million recorded graves available for viewing. One can view, post, discuss, and even volunteer to take photographs per requests of those who are not able to visit the graves of their loved ones themselves. Joining is free and easy.

In my “grave gazing” days, when I was about 16, I found out from the get go that “graving” is not appreciated by everyone, nor is it appreciated by even most. “Graving” addicts are definitely in the minority. I remember being misunderstood. Whether my photos displayed tombstones in brilliant sunshine or in the melancholy of fog and rain, they were often met with skepticism and went into photo books unappreciated by everyone except for myself and maybe one or two forlorn friends.

However, it is possible that you are out there finding a flicker of excitement stirring within you as you read more about this ever growing hobby called “graving”. If you think this might be something up your alley, there are some things to consider before getting the stone (I mean, ball) rolling. First of all, decide what kind of graving you want to practice. There are no “rules”. You can walk the cemeteries as heavy as you want or as light as you want. Some suggested tools would be a camera, a notebook or sketchpad (depending on your preference) writing utensils of your choice, and a rag and WATER spray bottle, for cleaning debris from headstones (never use chemicals as these can wear away at and damage stone). If you feel you want to take it a step further and “do something” with your “graving”, you might want to join findagrave.com so that others can benefit from your new found passion. This is not a necessity of course, only an option.

Another important aspect of “graving” that needs to be mentioned is the respect of the privacy of mourners and also of the gravesite itself. If mourners are present at the grave or if there are funeral proceedings taking place anywhere near the gravesite you are wanting to visit, quietly leave and return at an appropriate time. Also, unless you are leaving flowers at the grave, make sure that nothing else is altered at the site and that all “evidence” of your presence goes with you.

Since I know now that the pastime of my youth has a name, and that I am not some morbid, person who is seeking gloom, doom and death, I am planning on pursuing this activity of “graving” again, now some 30 years later. This time however, I will be armed with a bit more information, many more journaling options, much higher technology, ……and with a significant amount of assurance, buoyancy and confidence.