At the Jewish cemetery last week, I noticed that many of the headstones had these little pictures of the deceased.
Some were as recent as the mid-1960s
And some were much, much older.
I've seen pictures similar to this on a very small number of graves in other cemeteries, some even etched into the stone itself. I've thought before how much it makes one think about the person buried under the headstone seem so much more real. I can try to imagine what life was like for the people in these pictures. This woman, for example: I pictured her doing washing or taking care of her children. .jpg)
In this cemetery the pictures seemed much more prevalent.
Here's the one I found most touching. Meet Constance.
19 comments:
These are so interesting - I agree - having a photo right there makes the person seem so much more real. Great shots!
I know some of the cemeteries around here have them too. I've even seen some of small infants and children. I've never been to a Jewish cemetery so I didn't realize they did this as well.
That last one...wow...you can actually feel a connection. How neat is it that they have photos on them...
cari
So much more personal when there is a face to go with the name and dates. And so sad, too, to see a fresh young face like Constance...
What a wonderful way to pay tribute to people that have passed away! Lovely shots!
wow that last one gave me chills. what interesting shots.
Thanks for sharing these. I agree, the one of constance sort of demands you to connect with her. Thanks again for sharing.
I see dead people.
Oops, sorry, that was kind of rude, wasn't it? Eerily cool photos, Amy.
There are photos on the stones in the cemetery that I visit, and I find them somehow intrusive, wrong, not the point. Not sure why. What I notice when I look at your photos is that some of the photos are chipped, and that makes me feel angry. How did that happen?? Careless gardeners? Vandalism? At any rate, Constance is now definitely constance. :-)
Wow. Interesting shots.
I wonder what the meaning behind this tradition is? I like it; I wish all cemetaries had this. There's something about it that seems more effective in preserving the memories that these peope were here,lived real lives, and shouldn't be forgotten.
that is so cool to have a picture! it makes it much more personal!
Those are amazing. I have seen a few of these before, but never so man. It is spooky, yet beautiful all at the same time. Really great.
the pictures do really make them more "real", don't they? such nice clear shots you have of them.
You are right, you don't see photos on gravestones that often. Constance made my heart skip a beat... she looks just like the photos I've seen of my grandma as a little girl!
I want to commend you on keeping up such a lively blog!
Wow, this post is really touching. It really does make their graves much more personal, especially Constance. I think this is a great tradition and it should be done more now.
Those are really touching! We thought for a long time about whether or not to put my dad's picture on his stone. We decided he wouldn't want it there since he didn't like getting his picture taken much! We did put my brother's picture on his though, go figure!
Hey Amy! I have been lurking here for awhile and always ment to tell you how much I enjoy your daily entries. I only know you from ACOT, but every time I pass a cemetary, I think of you...well you know what I mean, and ecspeially since I live right across from a cemetary. There are several tiny ones in my town, I keep telling myself one day I will go and take some photos for you!
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