Cemetery Etiquette

[+snowfrog]

With the popularity of cemeteries as cache locations, I often thought it would be nice to try to establish a new form of cache etiquette while there. Similar to CITO but simply reset a flower arrangement that may have been knocked down by weather, or perhaps pull weeds from around a headstone before you exit. Just one mind you, and here's your chance to name it, and the pick the acronym!

Edited January 14, 2006 by snowfrog

[nobby.nobbs]

go for the weeding or flower arranging but i'd not touch the stones. they are very heavy and if they are not placed properly can fall down again, risking damage to the stone or falling on someone! general tidy will be appreciated i'm sure.

[Captain Chaoss]

Some states/areas have orgs for recording and mapping the memorials. Many smaller cemetaries are deteriorating, and the history is being lost. If I can find the link, I'll post again. Look up mapping of cemetaries on Google.

[+snowfrog]

Some states/areas have orgs for recording and mapping the memorials. Many smaller cemetaries are deteriorating, and the history is being lost. If I can find the link, I'll post again. Look up mapping of cemetaries on Google.

Interesting point, years ago as a deer hunter I found several very small and overgrown family plots in the woods which were no doubt lost to time and record. If you know of a cemetery on public property that obviously has no custodian, perhaps a new cache listing could bring folks there and even recruit a volunteer.

 

cemetery mapping

Edited January 14, 2006 by snowfrog

[CoyoteRed]

With the popularity of cemeteries as cache locations, I often thought it would be nice to try to establish a new form of cache etiquette while there. Similar to CITO but simply reset a flower arrangement that may have been knocked down by weather, or perhaps pull weeds from around a headstone before you exit. Just one mind you, and here's your chance to name it, and the pick the acronym!

It would be a bad idea in the extreme to "fix up" a cemetery without the approval of someone in charge.

 

Even if you can't find someone in charge, you might not know the traditions of those buried there. Don't assume the WASP way is the only way.

 

Just a for instance: you go to a cemetery and find some joker has left a bunch of pebbles on the headstones. You might think someone let their child play some silly game. So, in an effort to "help" go around brushing off these pebbles.

 

What you've just done could be considered disrespectful. The cemetery is Jewish. I'm not an expert on the Jewish faith by any means, but what was explained to me is when someone visits a grave they leave a pebble on the marker to signify they were there. Why? I don't know.

 

The point is I don't know. I'd caution against "helping" without guidance.

 

Creating some sort of CITO-for-Cemeteries is not a good idea. While one might think this would foster good will with the geocaching community, believe me, it will cause problems.

 

...so, just how do you take care of a Gullah cemetery, anyway?

 

EDIT: fixed wordo.

Edited January 14, 2006 by CoyoteRed

[+Isonzo Karst]

My sister was touring some old cemeteries. She said something to the effect, pity they're so overgrown. The guide rather fiercely told her they WERE NOT overgrown, they were natural. The owner's preference.

[+cache_test_dummies]

It would be a bad idea in the extreme to "fix up" a cemetery without the approval of someone in charge.

I agree with CR.

 

With respect to activities in and around cemeteries, views of what is considered to be 'appropriate' and 'respectful' vary widely by region, culture, and religion. And also vary from one person to the next.

[+Team Tigger International]

There are small things one can do However .....

 

Like :

If you find a fallen US flag, please stick it back in the ground. As always, please be respectful, and cache in, trash out. And NEVER EVER go caching in a Cemetery at Night .

 

DESPITE WHAT SOME NON-ISQ CEMETERY CACHE PAGES MAY SAY, YOU ARE SUBJECT TO ARREST IF FOUND IN A CEMETERY AT NIGHT IN INDIANA IN MOST ALL JURISDICTIONS.

 

The Indiana Spirit Quest series of geocaches will take you to a number of historic cemeteries built by Hoosier Pioneers. In just over a year and a half, the quest has grown to over four hundred caches hidden in over forty Indiana counties, and Ohio and Michigan and the hiders have grown to over twenty cacher teams, most of which of which are comprised of Dogs and their Humans. Over 875 cacher teams have logged over 10,400 finds.

 

And they are not "Just micro's in cemetery's" .. The cache pages all tell a story of the History of the people in the town/ county etc.... History folks its what its all about :

 

Sample caches:

 

ISQ-403 No Amber Alert

 

ISQ-Michigan #3-Pushing Up Flowers

 

ISQ-#182/ Crissy the Skunk Woman

 

ISQ #400- Fallen Hero..... This one may make you cry ......

 

We are proud members of :

 

Star & Wulf

Team Tigger International

[+briansnat]

It would be a bad idea in the extreme to "fix up" a cemetery without the approval of someone in charge.

 

Agreed. Continue to practice your CITO in cemeteries. If you want to do something more, contact the owner or governing authority and see if they want help. If they do, then you can solocit your fellow geocachers to help out.

Edited January 14, 2006 by briansnat

[Copepod]

It's difficult to raise fallen gravestones. I helped with a few at Leith (former Norwegian whaling station) on the island of South Georgia in Dec 03, as a leader of a British youth expedition - see photos on:

 

http://www.wildisland.demon.co.uk/sgcems/index.htm

 

By the way, no geocaches on South Georgia, or even in the Falkland Islands, although there are several in Antarctica.

[+Team Cotati]

With the popularity of cemeteries as cache locations, I often thought it would be nice to try to establish a new form of cache etiquette while there. Similar to CITO but simply reset a flower arrangement that may have been knocked down by weather, or perhaps pull weeds from around a headstone before you exit. Just one mind you, and here's your chance to name it, and the pick the acronym!

It would be a bad idea in the extreme to "fix up" a cemetery without the approval of someone in charge.

 

Even if you can't find someone in charge, you might not know the traditions of those buried there. Don't assume the WASP way is the only way.

 

Just a for instance: you go to a cemetery and find some joker has left a bunch of pebbles on the headstones. You might think someone let their child play some silly game. So, in an effort to "help" go around brushing off these pebbles.

 

What you've just done could be considered disrespectful. The cemetery is Jewish. I'm not an expert on the Jewish faith by any means, but what was explained to me is when someone visits a grave they leave a pebble on the marker to signify they were there. Why? I don't know.

 

The point is I don't know. I'd caution against "helping" without guidance.

 

Creating some sort of CITO-for-Cemeteries is not a good idea. While one might think this would foster good will with the geocaching community, believe me, it will cause problems.

 

...so, just how do you take care of a Gullah cemetery, anyway?

 

EDIT: fixed wordo.

"some joker"?

[+TeamGuisinger]

I've been involved in cemetery upkeep and recording for awhile now and the best way I found to find one or help it is by recording it with a digital camera and posting it on here. It's my way of making sure future generations can visit a stone long after nature has eroded it away.