If it is like my G-Grandparents graves, the caskets were wood and would have decayed long ago. The tree would absorb the remains, bodies and caskets alike, and they would in turn feed the tree. In effect the tree has become the living representation of the deceased. What a better monument to have.

My favorite shoot so far. the markers all facing the steps that lead, where else, upwards.

More like definance in the face of death, for the dead believed in the afterlife and the body was only a husk.

"By this sign shall ye conquor."

Usually when a crypt was sealed in this manner it meant there were no more members of this family who survived. In effect, the end of this particular line no longer exsists, no mourners, no one to care for the crypt or tomb.

My husband is a former Marine who transfered into the Navy. This would be his monument too.

Holiday Wallpaper!!!!!!!

I noted how the leafless bough tends to cover what would be "chin whiskers" and "thinning hair" on Father's stone. While Mother's stone is clean and daintingly free of such. Speaks volumes.

SkedAddled, Maybe the single words were more than enough, they would be for me and my husband.

Motts, i wouldn't count on it. Viral diseases can remain dormant for decades in a dry area such as this. I hope you get yourself checked out by your doctor SOON!!!!

PS TELL HIM Where you were!!! OK??

If the Chapel is restore (I hope, I hope, I hope), then there would have to be an examination of this caske tand any contents.

That would recquire a HAZMAT crew and the state & county Medical Examiners Offices.

Motts, how far from the floor to the rail the material is on?

It could well be the "Pall". A large cloth that would have been draped over the casket. As this is an European Chapel, they would have coninued to use European customs. Often the PALL would have been split down the middle to allow for varying sizes of adult caskets.

Kim, DITTO!!!!!!!

All it needs is some wiring, a T-storm, some glass containers and ....

"It's alive, it's alive, it's alive!!!"

Now that wopuld be freaky.

Sans the cellar lift, it reminds me of many European Chapels, long and narrow with cellars, or rather catacombs, that held the dead,

My cousin plays several "levels" of pipe organs, I believe he said up to six keyboards. I told him that is a precious gift from our Grandmother who also played.

This tragic lady would need years of restoration work to be heard in this world again

Same thought here Guitorman, and I'm Quaker.

Hey, who can we contact to fight to save this gracious lady from being lost?

Jude and Angela, are you talking about the "stingers" attached to the chandlers?

Nicole, mine too.

This photo would not have been as good in color.

A favor please? I am an artist who uses oil pastels (chalk w/ oil added). May i sketch this photo?

Beyond beauty. Graceful elegance, timeless dignity, she sets upon the land as if she had always been here and always will. Let it be so.

I hope it's the last one Lynne. I love old cemeteries, especially with the above ground markers. There is a grace and serinity to such places no matter what time of year.

We have about 10 within a five mile redius of our home, all more than 100+ years old, most, originally, were on private land and hold the remains of generations of the same families. Thank goodness our state started a program several years ago to locate and restore these cemeteries, and mark their locations on maps and with roadsigns. The smaller ones are my favorite.