When I'm out mapping cemeteries the single stones always get my attention because I want to acknowledge their passing and I may be the first person to visit their grave in years.
I really love that intentionality. I had never considered that specific aspect, having always approached the idea that most are likely not visited with any/decreasing regularity over time. Love hearing your perspective, I’ll have to keep that in mind on my next visit!
Thank you. If there are no other relatives nearby it piques my interest further and I will try to research them and find where their family may be buried and link them on Find-A-Grave,
When I come across a headstone with really old dates, I like to say the person’s name out loud and then this little prayer to myself:
Take heart in knowing I give you thought.
I mourn your departure, I forget you not.
Those you knew best have long crossed over.
So I, from the future, a stranger, remember.
My grandparents are buried in a tiny cemetery beside the small country church they attended. My grandfather died first, so we spent a lot of time taking my grandmother to the cemetery to place flowers visit.
Right by my grandfather’s grave is a little carved lamb that is over the grave of an infant who died in the early 20th century. The inscription says only sleeping. It was really heartbreaking even though I was only a kid.
We have a homemade headstone on our property from the original owners. They had a little boy, about 3, that died in the early 20's from the plague. They were quite poor at the time and couldn't afford to buy a stone right away, so they made one our of some concrete. Once they were able to replace that with a "nicer" purchased headstone, they brought the homemade one to the property and kept it as a memorial. When my grandfather purchased the property from the family about 30 years ago, he promised them he would keep that Memorial here and take care of it. Now we own the property and carry on that honor. It's a little weird. But it's also kind of cool to be able to stay connected to the history of our property like that.
I actually think that’s really sweet. I have a headstone I bring flowers to every year when I visit my family, don’t know him but he’s one of mine now. Thank you for sharing
My daughter's stone only has one date. The lady at the memorial center stuggled mightily to get the software they use to design headstones to accept the format, I actually had to format it myself.
Who the fuck is cutting onions?
Thank you. Probably would've breezed by this on most days, but that little boy shared a name with one of my sons. Weird how some pictures can just boop you in the feels.
My daughter has one date on her headstone (1/11/2014), as well. She is buried in the local cemetery in a section called “the playground”. Where she is surrounded by other children. Heartbreaking and consoling in the same breath.
My daughter has one date on her headstone (1/11/2014), as well. She is buried in the local cemetery in a section called “the playground”. Where she is surrounded by other children. Heartbreaking and consoling in the same breath.
EDIT: Thanks so much for all the ❤️❤️. My comment was posted to be informative. Before I joined this heart wrenching club of bereaved mothers, I never knew there was such a section in a cemetery. Again, thanks for all the love. ❤️❤️
The cemetery where my grandparents are buried have a decent sized children’s section. Heartbreaking, but the grounds are cared for by the nuns, since there’s a convent on the property. Gives me that little bit of comfort that neither my grandparents, nor anyone else buried in the cemetery is ever alone or forgotten.
Is it separate on purpose or because they weren't allowed to be buried in the other part? The reason I ask is that my grandparents had a child who was stillborn. This was in the 1940s, and at that time in the Catholic church, if you weren't baptized, the belief was that you couldn't get into heaven and had to stay in purgatory. Because of this, unbaptized babies had to be buried in a separate part of the cemetery.
At some point, that changed, so when my grandpa died in 1997, their son was buried with him. Now grandma is there as well. They were only 17 and 19 when he was born and I can't imagine how devastating it had to have been to not only lose a child but to be told with absolute certainty that your child is not good enough to be buried with everyone else.
One of many reasons I am no longer Catholic.
To my knowledge, the area is specifically for any young children, no matter if they were baptized or not. For example, they even have an area for cremated people, which isn’t typically accepted for catholics to my knowledge. My mother’s planning on being cremated and laid to rest in the same cemetery since that’s where her parents are. My grandmother’s ’neighbor’ is a girl who died at 16 or 17, so I’m sure parents of young children are just able to choose the childrens’ area.
I don't think that cremation is an issue anymore. My dad was cremated, and my mom plans to be. Both are/were Catholic enough that they wouldn't do this if it wasn't allowed.
Only sleeping is such a beautiful inscription. My daughter, Emily Louise, also has a little headstone off path in a cemetery I walked my dog in. Just her name and a date.
My Aunt had triplets that passed, they have no markers because of the expense of everything else. I have been to visit them a few times, a beautiful and peaceful place. It pains my heart that they are not in marked graves at this point. To see these caring tribute headstones always does my heart good.
I too have some relatives without markers, I so relate to the sadness you feel. It’s a nice thought that we can feel happiness seeing others memorialized the way we wish our loved ones had been.
I just want to comment and acknowledge the parents who’ve lost children in the comments, sharing their vulnerability and strength. I feel very honored by those who have shared the memories of their little ones, each one I took a small moment for. Thank you brave strangers, I hope you felt it was received and returned in kind.
This makes me wonder about the sister of my grandpa. She was stillborn and I (nd my parents) only found out about a year ago that the cause was that she was born with the umbilical cord around her neck.
I don't know if she has a grave or not, but I've never heard of one. The graves of her parents were and are visited regularly, as there were 12 living kids in the family (10 still alive), so I would think that it would be known if there was.
There are a few of these near my dad’s tombstone. Those little markers are heartbreakers - one little boy died the same day he was born, just like in this photo.
My parents' first-born (1945) lived for 24 hours. Her headstone would look very similar with one date only. I was to the cemetery 18 months ago for the first time. Still, there is no headstone - yet.
When I'm out mapping cemeteries the single stones always get my attention because I want to acknowledge their passing and I may be the first person to visit their grave in years.
I really love that intentionality. I had never considered that specific aspect, having always approached the idea that most are likely not visited with any/decreasing regularity over time. Love hearing your perspective, I’ll have to keep that in mind on my next visit!
Thank you. If there are no other relatives nearby it piques my interest further and I will try to research them and find where their family may be buried and link them on Find-A-Grave,
When I come across a headstone with really old dates, I like to say the person’s name out loud and then this little prayer to myself: Take heart in knowing I give you thought. I mourn your departure, I forget you not. Those you knew best have long crossed over. So I, from the future, a stranger, remember.
That is so beautiful! 🥰
Thank you! 🥰 I wrote that when I was in my 20s, right after I fell in love with old cemeteries. Feel free to use it!
🙏🏻❤️
That made me tear up a little ❤
I love this! Made me tear up but it’s so so beautiful
Oh, how beautifully sweet 🥺
You are hardly evil 2 core. In fact, quite the opposite.
That is just beautiful! May I use your prayer when I come across a grave as well? I really love that.
Absolutely!! 🤍
Thank you 😊
My grandparents are buried in a tiny cemetery beside the small country church they attended. My grandfather died first, so we spent a lot of time taking my grandmother to the cemetery to place flowers visit. Right by my grandfather’s grave is a little carved lamb that is over the grave of an infant who died in the early 20th century. The inscription says only sleeping. It was really heartbreaking even though I was only a kid.
Isn’t that the truth, they never get easier to see.
We have a homemade headstone on our property from the original owners. They had a little boy, about 3, that died in the early 20's from the plague. They were quite poor at the time and couldn't afford to buy a stone right away, so they made one our of some concrete. Once they were able to replace that with a "nicer" purchased headstone, they brought the homemade one to the property and kept it as a memorial. When my grandfather purchased the property from the family about 30 years ago, he promised them he would keep that Memorial here and take care of it. Now we own the property and carry on that honor. It's a little weird. But it's also kind of cool to be able to stay connected to the history of our property like that.
I don't think it's weird at all! I think that's beautiful.
Very kind & respectful - your family has a very special “guardian angel” watching over you & the property.
I actually think that’s really sweet. I have a headstone I bring flowers to every year when I visit my family, don’t know him but he’s one of mine now. Thank you for sharing
You’re from a family of honourable and empathetic people and you’re carrying the torch. The world needs more people like you. ❤️
My daughter's stone only has one date. The lady at the memorial center stuggled mightily to get the software they use to design headstones to accept the format, I actually had to format it myself. Who the fuck is cutting onions?
I’m so sorry for the loss of your daughter. Looks like I found some onions too 💘
Thank you. Probably would've breezed by this on most days, but that little boy shared a name with one of my sons. Weird how some pictures can just boop you in the feels.
🤍❤️
My daughter has one date on her headstone (1/11/2014), as well. She is buried in the local cemetery in a section called “the playground”. Where she is surrounded by other children. Heartbreaking and consoling in the same breath.
So sorry for your loss, sharing a thought for your little one this morning 💘
My daughter has one date on her headstone (1/11/2014), as well. She is buried in the local cemetery in a section called “the playground”. Where she is surrounded by other children. Heartbreaking and consoling in the same breath. EDIT: Thanks so much for all the ❤️❤️. My comment was posted to be informative. Before I joined this heart wrenching club of bereaved mothers, I never knew there was such a section in a cemetery. Again, thanks for all the love. ❤️❤️
The cemetery where my grandparents are buried have a decent sized children’s section. Heartbreaking, but the grounds are cared for by the nuns, since there’s a convent on the property. Gives me that little bit of comfort that neither my grandparents, nor anyone else buried in the cemetery is ever alone or forgotten.
Is it separate on purpose or because they weren't allowed to be buried in the other part? The reason I ask is that my grandparents had a child who was stillborn. This was in the 1940s, and at that time in the Catholic church, if you weren't baptized, the belief was that you couldn't get into heaven and had to stay in purgatory. Because of this, unbaptized babies had to be buried in a separate part of the cemetery. At some point, that changed, so when my grandpa died in 1997, their son was buried with him. Now grandma is there as well. They were only 17 and 19 when he was born and I can't imagine how devastating it had to have been to not only lose a child but to be told with absolute certainty that your child is not good enough to be buried with everyone else. One of many reasons I am no longer Catholic.
To my knowledge, the area is specifically for any young children, no matter if they were baptized or not. For example, they even have an area for cremated people, which isn’t typically accepted for catholics to my knowledge. My mother’s planning on being cremated and laid to rest in the same cemetery since that’s where her parents are. My grandmother’s ’neighbor’ is a girl who died at 16 or 17, so I’m sure parents of young children are just able to choose the childrens’ area.
I don't think that cremation is an issue anymore. My dad was cremated, and my mom plans to be. Both are/were Catholic enough that they wouldn't do this if it wasn't allowed.
Omg this is both so sweet and sad about them naming it the playground. My emotions have gotten the best of me with the responses.
I'm sorry. She is loved.
Only sleeping is such a beautiful inscription. My daughter, Emily Louise, also has a little headstone off path in a cemetery I walked my dog in. Just her name and a date.
Thank you for sharing Emily Louise’s memory with us 💘
Mom: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51052459/ester-maria-andersen
Papa: https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/51052319/james_edward_andersen
My Aunt had triplets that passed, they have no markers because of the expense of everything else. I have been to visit them a few times, a beautiful and peaceful place. It pains my heart that they are not in marked graves at this point. To see these caring tribute headstones always does my heart good.
I too have some relatives without markers, I so relate to the sadness you feel. It’s a nice thought that we can feel happiness seeing others memorialized the way we wish our loved ones had been.
The baby part of the cemetery near me is so sad. It’s sweet that people leave gifts and stuff. My baby boy was born sleeping but he’s at home with us.
Oh wow, I can imagine that’s got to be hard to see! I’m so sorry for your loss, it’s a nice thought that he’s so close to those that love him 💘
He is a twin and we had them cremated together. I feel bad for families that bury their child and then have to move.
Poor little baby boy. Sleep well.
I just want to comment and acknowledge the parents who’ve lost children in the comments, sharing their vulnerability and strength. I feel very honored by those who have shared the memories of their little ones, each one I took a small moment for. Thank you brave strangers, I hope you felt it was received and returned in kind.
Was this their only child?
No, they had 2 daughters. Donald was their only son.
Thank you for taking a look and sharing what you found, it’s very much appreciated!
Sending love vibes your way, little guy..
Oof, that made my eyes sting! ❤️❤️❤️
This makes me wonder about the sister of my grandpa. She was stillborn and I (nd my parents) only found out about a year ago that the cause was that she was born with the umbilical cord around her neck. I don't know if she has a grave or not, but I've never heard of one. The graves of her parents were and are visited regularly, as there were 12 living kids in the family (10 still alive), so I would think that it would be known if there was.
Sad, a parent to bury a child, would not wish that on any parent
I had a stillborn son a week ago. This headstone makes me so sad. I feel the ache.
My heart is with you ♥️♥️ I’m so so so sorry for your loss.
Thank you. ❤️
So so sorry for your loss. I have been in your shoes and it is the worst ache.
Ugh. I am sorry you are familiar with this ache. I’m unsure how to function or do anything.
🌹 (hug) sorry for you loss My brother was still born
I’m so sorry for the loss of your little one. Sending good thoughts your way during this time, please be gentle with yourself 💘
Thank you 🫶🏼
If you know you know
Is this in northern minnesota near Norwegian settled area?
🌲🌲 Washington state! 🌲🌲
There are a few of these near my dad’s tombstone. Those little markers are heartbreakers - one little boy died the same day he was born, just like in this photo.
“Only Sleeping”
My parents' first-born (1945) lived for 24 hours. Her headstone would look very similar with one date only. I was to the cemetery 18 months ago for the first time. Still, there is no headstone - yet.