Tombstone tourist (otherwise known as a "cemetery enthusiast", "cemetery tourist", "grave hunter", "graver", or "taphophile") describes an individual who has a passion for and enjoyment of cemeteries, epitaphs, gravestone rubbing, photography, art, and history of (famous) deaths.

What is a lover of cemeteries called?

A taphophile by definition is someone who is interested in cemeteries, gravestones, and the art and history that goes along with them. Some taphophiles are also interested in funerals and funerary traditions over the years. Taphophiles are not ghoulish folks with death obsessions.

What is a cemetery person called?

A gravedigger is a cemetery worker who is responsible for digging a grave prior to a funeral service.

Why do people like visiting cemeteries?

Today, people visit cemeteries to pay their respects to celebrities or other famous figures; honor those who have served in the military; find past relatives to fill in their genealogical background or simply enjoy the surroundings, architecture and peaceful paths many cemeteries around the world offer their visitors.

Why do I find graveyards peaceful?

Often, cemeteries are quiet, peaceful and offer lots of green space and trees- which can provide a good backdrop for quiet reflection. Many people specially visit a loved one's gravesite on the anniversary of their death, birthdays and other special days.

If You Ever See This In A Cemetery You Should Run In The Other Direction FAST.

Is it OK to walk in a cemetery?

Is it disrespectful to walk on graves? Yes, it is disrespectful. Always walk between the headstones and avoid standing on top of a gravesite. Be considerate of other mourners.

What is it called when you visit a grave?

Pilgrimage – in religious contexts. Tombstone tourist – usually a secular activity. Tomb sweeping or grave tending in various cultures.

What Taphophilia means?

Noun. taphophilia (uncountable) A love of funerals, cemeteries and the rituals of death.

What can you not do at a cemetery?

10 Things NOT To Do In A Cemetery

  • Don't go after hours. ...
  • Don't speed through the cemetery driveways. ...
  • Don't let your kids run wild. ...
  • Don't walk on top of the graves. ...
  • Don't sit or lean on the headstones, grave markers, or other memorials. ...
  • Don't talk to other cemetery visitors – even to say hello.

What is a Cemeterian?

Cemeterian means an employee of the Corporation, employed at the Cemetery as administrator and grounds keeper.

What is a cemetery caretaker called?

A sexton is the office of the person or persons who are in charge of a cemetery. They are often referred to as the caretaker of a cemetery. Churches also have a sexton for the maintenance of the church building and/or the surrounding graveyard. In larger buildings, such as cathedrals, a team of sextons may be employed.

What is a gravedigger called?

Gravediggers, also known as cemetery workers or burial ground custodians, dig graves in cemeteries for burials.

Why do I like graveyards so much?

Coimetromania is an abnormal attraction and desire to visit cemeteries, graveyards, and anything to do with the dead. Psychologists consider coimetromania a mental condition. As with any mania, this condition can cause people to experience unreasonable and intense feelings.

What is the study of gravestones called?

What is a taphophile? A taphophile is someone who takes an interest in cemeteries, tombstones, or memory of past lives.

Why are people buried 6 feet under?

To Prevent the Spread of Disease

People have not always understood how diseases spread. During disease outbreaks, they may have feared that bodies could transmit disease. Still, this may be one of the reasons why people thought bodies should be buried 6 feet deep.

Is grave rubbing illegal?

The practice has been banned in some states and many graveyards and cemeteries. Cemeteries that have restoration projects going on, or locations designated as historic landmarks will often ban rubbings – but not always.

Is it disrespectful to touch a tombstone?

Respect the graves.

Touching monuments or headstones is extremely disrespectful and in some cases, may cause damage. For example, some older memorials might be in disrepair and could fall apart under the slightest touch. Be sure to walk in between the headstones, and don't stand on top of a burial place.

Is it normal to talk to a grave?

And it's totally normal. Grief is hard work. Whether you've lost a parent, sibling, a friend, or someone else, a loved one's death can lead to a feeling of tremendous loss.

What does a penny on a grave mean?

A coin left on a headstone lets the deceased soldier's family know that somebody stopped by to pay their respect. A penny means you visited. A nickel means you and the deceased veteran trained at boot camp together. A dime means you and the deceased veteran served together in some capacity.

Why are caskets only half open?

Viewing caskets are usually half open because of how they are constructed, according to the Ocean Grove Memorial Home. Most of today's caskets are made to be half open. They cannot lie fully open for viewing.

Is it rude to take pictures at a cemetery?

People visit the cemetery to pay respect to the dead and remember the memories they left behind. Don't intentionally take pictures of them especially if you don't have permission. You never know whether they are done grieving or not. It is utterly rude to butt in at times like this.

What is disrespectful to do in a graveyard?

No running, yelling, or rolling around on the ground. This is not a place for childhood games. Don't let them play on any of the monuments. While it is good to get children used to paying respects at a cemetery, they often don't fully understand the meaning of everything in the cemetery.

What happens to the things you leave at a grave?

If you had served with the deceased, you would leave a dime. And if you were with the deceased when they died, you would leave a quarter. In this case, coins don't stay on the grave indefinitely. It is understood that they will be collected by groundskeepers and will defray the costs of cemetery upkeep.