An Afternoon At The Cemetery

I visited Kensal Green Cemetery today as they had an open day. It's not very far from home but I had never been there before and wasn't sure what to expect, other than the obvious, a lot of graves!

There were not that many people there really, I had expected a lot more visitors, especially as it was an Open Day, it must be really very quiet on normal days.

Some people were dressed up (or maybe that's how they always dress?) as Goths and in old style dress -see photos..

I was amazed at the size of some of the tombs, mausoleums or whatever they are called. Some were big enough to keep a couple of cars in.

I also went down into the catacombs, which was really fascinating. Lots of lead lined coffins on shelves, all in various states of decay, most dating back to the early 1800's. The catacombs are not really used now, most people are cremated or at least buried in the ground.

It made me think, I have not yet really thought about what I would like to happen to my body when the time comes, or God forbid what I'd do with any of my loved ones if I was in that dreadful situation.

Burial or cremation, big funeral or simple, fancy headstone/grave or just a plaque?

I did see one grave which just consisted of a name plate and a tree - I think this would be nice, plant a tree for me, and maybe a bench to admire the view (it's got to be in a nice location)

It seems to be a new fad nowadays of placing a photo of the deceased on the headstone. I think this is tacky and horrible, it just feels wrong to me. I do NOT want a photo of me attached to any such stone or plaque... ughhhh...

I took some photos which are on Flickr.. No one was allowed to take photo's in the catacombs which was a shame as they were quite unlike what I had imagined and would make for some very interesting shots..

Click image above to see slideshow...

Highgate Cemetery Walk

I'm really enjoying this week of no work, I don't miss it one bit! LOL

Today we went to visit Highgate Cemetery. It's just a short bus ride and walk away but I had never been there before even though I had been interested in visiting for years.

As we approached the cemetery, walking up Swains Lane we saw many old long forgotten graves through the fence, almost lost in the long grass and ivy.

We were only able to visit the East Cemetery as the West side is only open at certain times and for guided tours only.

A lot of the cemetery is very overgrown, you might think unkempt but in fact it's beautiful, natural and perfectly peaceful.

Some of the graves are very old, just about ruins, and yes a lot of them have obviously not been at all cared for, maybe there is no one left to care in their family.

I found the place fascinating and very thought provoking.

We saw a couple of famous graves, that of Karl Marx and the writer Douglas Adams. I'm sure there are more well known people there, I just don't know of them myself!

After we left the cemetery we bought some sandwiches and snacks and sat in Parliament Hill Fields, which is part of Hampstead Heath. It's so green and lush and being a weekday there weren't too many people around so it was wonderfully peaceful. The view of London from the top of the hill is stunning, it's amazing! You can see as far away as Canary Wharf, The Gherkin, St Paul's Cathedral etc..

From Hampstead Heath we walked all the way home, it's not far on the bus but on foot it was rather a long way. My feet need a rest tomorrow, rain is forecast so maybe it will be a good day for a rest!

Of course I took loads of photo's and if you are interested I think they are well worth a look through!

Cemetery Photos

Parliament Hill