Over the last two years I have been mostly preoccupied with
studying for a post graduate diploma in parish church studies with the
University of York. As to why I came to take this path is a mixture of interest
in the history of England of which the church played such an important factor
and my involvement in a medieval group that took me on trails of stories in stone
and gargoyles, of relics in cases and architecture that tells of the
relationship between the people and their beliefs.
My main focus has been on churchyards, drifting through
swathes of grass to read lichen encrusted gravestones, poring over lettering
cut centuries ago and learning of the tales that accompany them. As a child I was perhaps a little spooky and enjoyed
walking through the local graveyard and did not find it weird or strange,
although I did buy myself a book called the Fireside Book of Death which I’m
sure my mother raised her eyebrows at. However, it’s been a long standing
relationship, the departed and I, so applying academic study to it has been
exciting.
When I talk to people about my interest both in real life
and online, I receive a mixed response- some people are fascinated, some consider
me ghoulish and gothic…..perhaps a little part of me is. But really churchyards
are places of such beauty and art that tells the story of our ancestors. Dark
tourism is increasingly popular with tours of cemeteries such as the local one
I did that I wrote about the intriguing showman character I had learnt about
and of course the immense London
cemeteries offer tours as well as holding small classical concerts and other
cultural events in these highly atmospheric spaces. Also the death positive
movement is gathering momentum, lets not view death as taboo, sweep it under
the carpet, lets enable the discussion to be more positive, think of the
celebrations of the Mexican Day of the Dead and how that link to the dead
remains.
As I walk around churchyards and see the new graves and the
fresh wreaths, read the notes and see the modern tokens left, small cherubs and
trinkets, I do feel sad. It must be hard to know what to do and who to ask
about many of the practicalities around the loss of a family member of friend. This
useful
guide by SunLife provides help around what to do when somebody dies,
answering key questions to assist in what to do. I always pause as I’m
wandering about the graveyard but more often than not I’m looking amongst the
older part of the area seeking the stones set into the ground hundreds of years
ago.
My main interest are 18th century graves with
their memento mori messages and symbolism of death with almost comical looking
skulls and angels such as the ones in the Nottinghamshire area, known as the
Belvoir angels with their swirly eyes and curly locks. The simplicity of rustic
graves intrigue me the most with sometimes crudely cut lettering and mistakes
or oddly spaced letters. It becomes a moment of anticipation as I walk through
churchyard gates, what will I find. Sometimes the graveyard has been reordered
over time and the stones are moved to the edges or stacked by the church.
Regardless, each ones tells of so many things. It may tell of the occupation of
the deceased, of their social standing in a time gone by and the tragedy of
families lives lost so young is there to see. Many times I have used this
information to find out more in the local history archives, it’s a satisfying
exercise to learn of the life from the stone.
Churchyards are also places where I like to take many
photographs. There is something very beautiful about rows and rows of tombstones
and memorials, angels reaching up high and cherubs scattering flowers, the
grand Victorian grave flamboyancy that reflects their views around death at the
time. Then to the uniformity and sombreness of war graves, peaceful white and silently stood.
Wherever I go, I pop into the churchyard and gain something; sometimes a chat
with a churchwarden or a brush with nature as some are managed for conservation…..a
great place to spot butterflies. Sometimes a place for a quiet moment and a
flask of tea on a sunny day or a winter’s walk through the frost. If you’ve
never considered a graveyard as a place to go on this side of the mortal plain,
well do give it a go and let me know what you find, whether it’s a beautiful
place of sanctuary buzzing with wildlife or an austere setting of catacombs and
Victorian eccentricities.
