Do you enjoy peaceful strolls through historic cemeteries and wonder about the meaning of the carvings on the stone? Victorian-era cemeteries especially have unique engravings, and you might be surprised to learn the symbols have meanings. Learn all about them in this episode.
Resources for Gravestone Symbols:
- Gravestone symbols and their hidden meanings
- Grave Symbols – Olive Tree
- Understanding Cemetery Symbols : A Field Guide for Historic Graveyards, Snider, Tui; Cameron, H. E. (EDT)
- Gravestone Symbols and Carvings- Meaning and Inspiration
Cemeteries and Climate Change
Charlie shared a report about how climate change is threatening some of the cemeteries such as Olivewood Cemetery and the Houston cemetery. The biggest threat is to the historic Jamestown settlement, which was originally recovered from a swamp. The site has been a treasure trove of recent discoveries including Native American inhabitation for thousands of years before the English arrived. Listen to learn more about the history of this site, and how rising sea levels and storms put it at risk.
Reference – Smithsonian Magazine
Artist of the Week
Welcome to Everyone Dies Wakes the Dead – our ongoing series featuring original songs that could be played at a funeral, one that is appropriate, one that is likely not) to be included in the third half of the ‘Everyone Dies’ podcast. We invite singer/songwriters to submit your work for possible inclusion in our Third Half Segment. Please see the show notes for how to Wake the Dead with us. This Week’s artist is Rosanne Anselmo. Rosanne is a singer/songwriter and topliner writing lyrics and music. She has written hundreds of songs which include folk, pop, faith based, & country.
About her first submission to Waking the Dead, Rosanne writes “I wrote the song because everything was looking so grim and then a little brighter. Not appropriate for a funeral cause it’s too happy.” The first song is titled, “There is Hope”
There is Hope Look, looking out looking out, looking out it may seem kinda grim But just trust, just believe sun will shine even though it seems dim Yes There is hope, there is hope don't ever no don't ever give in there is hope, there is hope just believe it and you can win Open your eyes, open your eyes see the good in all that it can be I'll show you how, show you how To dance and sing and always dream Follow me blindly trust it will be alright I will show you it can be I will lead to the light Take my hand in yours it will be alright I will show you it can be I will lead you to the light There is hope, there is hope don't ever no don't ever give in there is hope, there is hope just believe it and you can win Follow me blindly trust it will be alright I will show you it can be I will lead to the light Take my hand in yours it will be alright I will show you it can be I will lead you to the light Well Let's bring joy, let's bring faith happiness is just a wonderful state and just smile at that someone Let's take them to that happy place Follow me blindly trust it will be alright I will show you it can be I will lead to the light Take my hand in yours it will be alright I will show you it can be I will lead you to the light There is hope, there is hope don't ever no don't ever give in there is hope, there is hope just believe it and you can win There is hope, there is hope don't ever no don't ever give in there is hope, there is hope just believe it and you can win (c) 2020 Rosanne Anselmo, all rights reserved
The second song is entitled. “The Front Porch”, and Rosanne wrote the song for her mother’s funeral.
The Front Porch I opened the door of the front porch, crying cause I fell down You took me in your arms and held me Til the tears in my eyes were gone. Don’t you worry ‘cause it’s alright, everything will be just fine. You kissed me on my cheek and held me Your wounds will heal in time. I opened the door of the front porch, you were sitting in your chair Wearing your pink puppy pyjamas Looking out to see who was there. Don’t you worry mom, it’s alright, everything will be just fine. We’re here to watch over you now Your hurt will heal in time I opened the door of the front porch and now see the empty chair But you are the angel on my shoulder I can somehow feel you there. Don’t you worry ‘cause it’s alright, everything will be just fine. I’m watching you from heaven Your tears will dry in time. And don’t you worry ‘cause it’s alright, everything will be just fine. We’ll see each other in heaven Your tears will dry in time. Words and Music Rosanne Anselmo © 2019 Rosanne Anselmo Musical Works
Thank you Rosanne for sharing your work! You can find more of Rosanne’s work at her website or email: rosanne.anselmo@gmail.com
Recipe of the Week
All this talk about gravestones…we have a recipe that will put you in your diet in the grave if you eat too much of it thanks to fresh ingredients like butter and of course sugar! But keep these in mind, Halloween is right around the corner!
You can get this delectable recipe from Weelicious.
https://blog.feedspot.com/palliative_care_podcasts/
As a songwriter, ‘Everyone Dies’ is inviting you to showcase your original work on an upcoming podcast.
There are many wonderful songs that could be played at a funeral. We also know there are songs that could be played, but are cringeworthy (e.g. Ding Dong the Witch is Dead; Another One Bites the Dust; Ring of Fire, etc.).
We are inviting you to send us a recording of two of your original songs (i.e. that could be played at a funeral, one that is appropriate, one that is likely not) to be included in the third half of the ‘Everyone Dies’ podcast. We will include as many artists over the next year (maybe longer if we are enjoying the segment) as possible.
What we need:
Go to this link, fill out the form and submit it along with your two original songs in .wav or .mp3 format (i.e. two original songs that could be played at a funeral, one that is appropriate, one that is likely not). We will screen them and let you know what week your work will be included. We will include all your information in our show notes so people can purchase your recordings.
Everyone Dies: and yes, it is normal!
Everyone Dies (and yes, it is normal) is a story about a young boy named Jax who finds something special on the beach where he and his grandpa Pops are enjoying a wonderful day. Pops helps Jax understand that death is a normal part of life. This book provides an age appropriate, non-scary, comfortable way to introduce the important topic of mortality to a preschool child. Its simple explanation will last a lifetime. Autographed copies for sale at: www.everyonediesthebook.com. Also available at Amazon
Mourning Jewelry
We offer a way to memorialize your loved one or treasured pet with a piece of handmade jewelry. When people comment on it and the wearer can say for example “I received this when my mother died” which opens the conversation about this loss. All our jewelry is made with semi-precious stones and beads, vintage beads, and pearls. You can choose between earrings or bracelets and the color family. Learn More
