How Will You Be Buried?

     When people think about dying, they usually think about whether they will be cremated or buried but what most people do not really think about is what kind of grave marker they will have. These things can range from a simple headstone to a full-on mausoleum and more often than not they do bear some meaning just like the ones found at Coming St. Cemetery and Saint Andrews Lutheran Church which are both located in the historical city, Charleston, South Carolina.

      One of the most simple grave markers would found at one of these cemeteries would have to be the Bevel marker. This marker is more modern and is usually found more in memorials. These little markers take up little causing for less maintenance provides more space for more markers. Much is the case with the Bevel marker of William M. Lucas who was a WWI veteran and lived from 1896-1977.                                                                

      Another marker similar to the bevel marker but remarkably larger is the Ledger marker. These are mainly just large slabs that are flush with the ground and display long descriptions written across most of its surface

      The next marker up is the Headstone. This marker is usually the one people usually think of when they picture a grave. They can range from very simple to a little artsier like the Headstone of Sophia Eleanor which depicts a cross with a crown around it.

      One step up from the Headstone is the Die and Socket or  Die and Base grave marker which consists simply of a Headstone which is placed in the socket or on top of larger/ flatter slab.

      Now comes the Cross. More or less the Cross marker is just like the Headstone or Die and Base markers but in the shape of a cross to convey their love for the Christian religion (Emmerson Cobb Cook, Sept 21, 1919 - Jun 26, 2001)

      Obelisks are another common grave marker from the past. Most often it will have four sides narrows to a point once it reaches the top and usually represents a long life. The Obelisk of Catherikg Porgher is of a reasonable size whereas they as high as a full story, maybe more.

      Similar to the Obelisk, the Columb usually represents a life cut short instead of a  life lived. This marker usually is for people from in their 20's-40's and is represented by a column which is broken at the top.

      The Cradle grave marker is exclusively reserved for kids who have died like Samuel Bonneau Piskens ( July 13, 1889 - Sept 17, 1891). This grave marker is meant to resemble the child's cradle and is usually accompanied by another.

      The Box Tomb is like what it sounds, a huge marble/stone box. Occasionally it may contain a statue of some kind unlike the Box Tomb of Benjamin S. Grimm who was a lieutenant in the United States Navy.

      Compared to the Box Tomb, the Mausoleum is massive. A Mausoleum generally holds upwards of six people who are usually family members. This is exactly the case with a Mausoleum at the Coming St. Cemetary and has "Svi Christo Vivit Perire Nescit".

     

     The number of grave markers is almost endless and these were only a few. So much thought goes into how to remember a family member forever and this is a way to immortalize them. The question now is how will you want to be remembered after death and how do you want your story told. Until next time... I see dead people.