Grave Matters - Recommended Cemetery Books

By now, if you've been following my blog or my Facebook posts, you know I am a huge cemetery nut. It's one of the only places to think and relieve stress that also inspires me to write.

I got into cemetery touring, history, and photography in my early 20s. I thought for October, I'd share a list of cemetery books with you. They make great research tools for writers or are just a good way to relax and appreciate the beautiful craftsmanship of days gone by. There are so many beautiful books out there, but these are a few to get you started.

The Cemetery Booklist 2011

1) Love Cemetery: Unburying the Secret History of Slaves  by China Galland - details the restoration and history of an unmarked slave cemetery in East Texas.
                                                               

2) City of the Dead: A Journey Through St. Louis Cemetery #1, New Orleans, Louisiana by Robert Florence - details some of the most famous graves in New Orleans and the history of cemeteries there.

3) New Orleans Cemeteries: Life in the Cities of the Dead by Robert Florence - includes pictures of 13 cemeteries in New Orleans.

4) Stories in Stone: The Complete Guide to Cemetery Symbolism by Douglas Keister - details the symbolism of tombstones. When I first got into cemetery touring, this book was an invaluable guide.

5) Stories Told In Stone: Cemetery Iconology by Gaylord Cooper - another invaluable guide to cemetery symbolism.

6) A Graveyard Preservation Primer (American Association for State and Local History) by Lynette Strangstad - a must-have book for anyone attempting graveyard restorations and preservation.

7) The Victorian Cemetery (Shire Library) by Sarah Rutherford - discusses the Victorian approach to burial and surviving cemeteries today.

8) The American Resting Place: 400 Years of History Through Our Cemeteries and Burial Grounds by Marilyn Yalom - photographs and discussions of burial places from all different cultures across America, including Native American mounds.

9) Haunted Cemeteries of New England: Stones, Stories, and Superstitions by Roxie J. Zwicker - the title pretty much sums it up.

10) Savannah Cemeteries by Matthew Propst - details Savannah, Georgia cemeteries/history, which I think are beautiful, having toured them myself.

11) Forever Dixie: A Field Guide to Southern Cemeteries & Their Residents by Douglas Keister - included are the graves of Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash.

12) MAGNIFICENT SEVEN, THE: London's First Landscaped Cemeteries by John Turpin - the famous cemeteries of London designed from 1832 on.

13) Houses of Life: Jewish Cemeteries of Europe by Joachim Jacobs -tour of 30 Jewish cemeteries from the Roman Era to modern Britain and France.

14) Understanding Scottish Graveyards by Betty Willsher

15) Beautiful Death: The Art of the Cemetery by Dean Koontz - I own this book and it is a great addition to any Koontz collection.