Great graveyard get-togethers Family-connected

cemeteries, parish burial grounds and community graveyards are excellent locations for family reunions or as sites for reunion activities. What other places have such direct ties to a family’s history or monuments memorializing its members? Following is a list of possible program and project ideas for a graveyard get-together that’s sure to interest and intrigue reunion members.

1.

Whether led by a local clergy or family layperson, a memorial service is a wonderful way to commemorate and pay tribute to family members who have passed. It can bring the group together as a community and highlight family traditions and achievements while expressing thankfulness for those who came before and those gathered together for the reunion.

2.

Most cemeteries and graveyards are well-maintained, but interested family members can pay respect to ancestors by mowing the grass, trimming, raking, weeding or picking up branches and trash. It may be an opportunity to plant flowers, shrubs or to lay memorial wreaths on graves and monuments.

3.

There is always a cemetery corner or open area where blankets and chairs can be set up to enjoy a picnic meal together in the tradition of Victorian ancestors who often visited and picnicked in cemeteries alongside former family members. Socializing with food, especially traditional family favorites, is always a popular reunion activity and the setting is both unique and memorable.

A guided cemetery tour or planned walkabout, with information about cemetery history, monuments and the family members they memorialize, is an informative way to introduce descendants to their forebears. Highlight important moments in forebears’ lives and family history.

This activity would focus on one particular ancestor, perhaps a founding family member, a pioneer settler, a little-known kinsman or a well-known relative. Highlight details about the life and accomplishments as well as add a tangible tribute like flowers or memory stones to honor the final resting place. This is also a good opportunity for a family fundraiser, whether as a particular activity or a simple collection jar for placement of a gravestone where none might exist or maintenance, repair or replacement of a surviving monument.

Prepare a list of clues in advance that lead to answers found within or within view of the graveyard. Family-related clues can range from the basic “find this” instruction to more challenging levels of play involving puzzles, riddles and other brainteasers to partial photo hints and age calculation questions. A record sheet for each participant or team is needed to rate performance and determine winners. Rules of play, including a set time limit, should be set.

7. Tombstone tag

Unlike the familiar children’s running game, this challenge sends people to identify and match, or “tag,” index cards containing biographical facts or stories or even photos with the correct corresponding ancestral monument. This game can be played individually or in teams. Points are awarded for correctly tagging the monument with the card. Cards need to be prepared in advance and could also be laminated for repeated or future use. It’s a fun activity with lots of opportunity for learning family history, folklore, and trivia.

8. Social Media post challenge

Challenge every visitor to take an unusual selfie within the cemetery. Someone may pose by the memorial of a direct ancestor or with the monument of a relative with the same name or birthdate. Photos and related captions can be shared to a wider audience on a personal social media page or a family or reunion social media forum. It’s a great way to memorialize the event and encourage future family gatherings.

9. Photo art contest

Everybody loves to play photographer and here’s another chance. With digital cameras or phones, have graveyard visitors take photos in the cemetery using unique angles, interesting subjects and artistic framing. Inscriptions, engravings, statuary, flowers or anything connected to a family-related grave or plot is fair game. Winners can be announced at a later date in a family newsletter or post-reunion message. Any really impressive photographic entries could be turned into souvenirs like calendars, cards, t-shirts or framed artwork for the next reunion or for fundraisers.

10. Grave dowsing

Why not try something a little different? Grave dowsing or divining is an age-old tradition with a complicated history. It is hotly debated whether it is a science or a superstition, but great fun and entertainment nonetheless. Two L-shaped wire rods or a Y-shaped piece of wood is all that is needed with a little simple instruction, of course. There are several YouTube videos and online resources that explain how to easily build and use the rods and how to check for burials, both marked and unmarked. There are even ways to identify if a burial is for a male or female or an adult or child. Alternatively, you could employ an experienced dowser to demonstrate and to coach others. Just imagine the excitement when someone confirms a known burial or discovers a previously unidentified interment.

Summary

Forethought, planning and preparation are paramount to the success of any program or project. Permission for any use of property should be obtained in advance from the appropriate municipality, church or private land owner. Brief reminders of cemetery rules and etiquette, explained before the commencement of any activities, will prevent unpleasant or unexpected occurrences. With proper groundwork and energetic presentation, your graveyard get-together is going to be successful!

About the author

Robbie Gorr, BA, BEd, of Petawawa, Ontario, Canada, is a retired teacher with a lifelong interest in genealogy and local history. He has attended some very good reunions over the years. He now works as a freelance writer and is a regular contributor to Internet Genealogy and History Magazine among others.