S3E21: What’s on that Gravestone? Learn the Hidden Meanings in the Symbols

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.

A grave marker with an engraving of a baby's face.  Learn about engraved gravestones at https://every1dies.org
A picture Marianne took in South Carolina. Marianne enjoys visiting historic cemeteries and talks about some of the unique things she has seen.

Resources for Gravestone Symbols:

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

Rosanne Anselmo holding her guitar over her shoulder
Rosanne Anselmo

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

Brownies with gravestones from https://weelicious.com/gravestone-brownies/
RIP – These brownies come with gravestones!

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.


We are also selected as one of the Top 50 Grief Blogs on the Web!
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Cowboy playing his guitar by a coffin, and a dog howling. Coffin is vibrating... Learn about songs to wake the dead. Learn about funeral music at Every1dies.org

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.

From Everyone Dies:

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
mourning jewelry earings

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

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