My Fascination With Cemeteries...

What are your thoughts on cemeteries? A time-honored tradition or a superstitious medieval practice which should be abolished?

Yesterday, I spent a couple of hours touring around three of Newburyport cemeteries (Old Hill Burying Ground, Highland Cemetery, and Oak Hill Cemetery). I admit that I have a fascination with cemeteries - not quite to the level of obsession, but I do love exploring them. Every time I go on vacation somewhere, I always seek out the local cemetery. Personally, I don't find it ghoulish but others might. There's something quite peaceful and reflective about walking among the tombs with just your thoughts and the quietness around you. I rarely hear any noise at all except the occasional ghostly howl...joking.

One of my favorite cemeteries is Cimetière du Père-Lachaise in Paris. It's this magical place of calmness in the middle of a busy city. Where else can you see the final resting places for such a wide assortment of people? Famous figures likes Jim Morrison, Edith Piaf, Oscar Wilde, Frédéric Chopin, Molière, and Marcel Marceau (just to name a few) are all buried in Père-Lachaise. I spent an amazing afternoon there years ago and it is one of the coolest places to visit when in Paris. 

Edith Piaf's grave

Yet, I personally wouldn't want to be buried in a cemetery. Naturally, I've thought about my final resting place and I decided a long time ago to be cremated and have my ashes scattered in the ocean. Something George Carlin once said (see video below) made me really think about what I would request for my permanent address.

George has a valid point and his solution is the ultimate recycling plan. Therefore, I have this weird catch-22 with cemeteries. I agree with George that the space could be better utilized than holding onto old bones, but then again spending time wandering around cemeteries can be a zen-like moment. Perhaps the answer to is to keep the old historic cemeteries and just not build any new ones.

Thoughts?