Global Graveyards

Around the World in 80 Graves

These eleven (11) selected international images are from a collection which includes cemeteries in Egypt, England, France, Italy, Belize, Russia, Singapore, Thailand, Scotland, and the United States. As you will see, I use a straight forward documentarian style of shooting these photographs. I rarely stage photos as I like the image to reveal its own story.

Sakkarah, Egypt (1992). When one thinks of pyramids, the pyramid of Cheops, in Gizeh, is arguably the most famous funerary complex of all. But the necropolis of Sakkarah, which stretches for eight kilometers, is the largest in the whole of Egypt. According to various guide books, it is also historically the most important because the principal dynasties are all represented, from the 1st to the Ptolemaic and the Persian.

The Graveyard, Key West, Florida, United States (1994). This image is of the infamous "bound woman," a statue located near the fence at the intersectin of Angela and Grinnel streets. As author Joy Williams describes in her book The Florida Keys: A History and Guide: "She's no angel certainly and her posture seems to suggest something other than grief, but Archibald John Sheldon Yates really, really wanted her on his grave and there she is." From this photographer's perspective, she looks to be in the throes of passion -- approaching ecstasy -- and interestingly enough, she'd be located directly above the face of the deceased. I call this image, "Bound by Love."

Mission Santa Barbara, Santa Barbara, California, United States (1993). I've titled this image, "On Death's Doorstep." This is the door leading to the Mission's cemetery.

King's Chapel and Burying Ground, Boston, Massachusetts, United States (1987). For my money, the most dramatic, symbolic funerary art can be found in this cemetery. Here, Father Time and Death prepare to snuff out a candle (a life).

Marie Laveau's Grave, St. Louis Cemetery No. 1, New Orleans, United States (1991). I've titled this image "Knock Three Times." Laveau is New Orleans' legendary 19th Centery voodoo queen. To be granted a favor, believers: 1) mark an "X" on her tomb with a piece of the red, chalk-like brick found in the cemetery; 2) place their right hand on the "X;" 3) scrape their right foot on the ground three times; 4) tap the tomb with their foot three times; and then 5) knock three times on the "X." After leaving a few new coins, legend says the favor will be granted. Non-believers might want to review the "thank you" notes and flowers which adorn the grave.

The Grin Reaper in a Dublin cemetery (1987). I wish I could remember who shot this picture or which cemetery, in particular, I was in. Apparently, I had visited an Irish pub hours before this picture was taken (or so I've been told).

Graves behind St. Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh, Scotland (1987). My favorite memory from Edinburgh was checking out a Goth dance club in the basement of an old Gothic church and hearing The Sisters of Mercy's "This Corrosion" for the first time. It was a perfect moment during the height of this musical movement.

Grave in Dangriga, Belize (1993).This cemetery was just a few hundred yards from the water and there was a striking contrast between the brilliant blue of the sky and water, and the bright white of many of the gravestones. While in Belize, I recall walking through a remote part of the rain forest and running into a young native boy. To my surprise, he was wearing a bright red Bulls jersey with Michael Jordan's #23 on it. Is there any doubt that our country's greatest export is our culture?

Old Malay cemetery on Victoria Street, Singapore (1996). The yellow fabric on these headstones is a superstitious ritual performed by the homeless people who live in the cemetery. The fabric is meant to keep spirits in the ground.

"1942" Piskaryovskoye Memorial Cemetery, St. Petersburg (formerly Leningrad)(1987). Mass graves of those who perished during The Blockade, the Siege of Leningrad, are marked by simple granite blocks. About 600,000 Leningraders died of starvation, disease, shelling, and air raids as Hitler's forces cut off Leningrad from the rest of the Soviet Union, to starve the city into submission. Somber piped-in music adds to the eerie feeling of this cemetery.

Chedis/pagodas in Wat Pho, Bangkok, Thailand (1996). Wat Pho (Wat Phra Chetuphon) is the oldest and largest Buddhist temple in Bangkok. The temple site dates back to the 16th century, but its current history really begins in 1781 with the complete rebuilding of its monastery. In this photograph, the smaller chedis/pagodas house the ashes of prominant people from the area, while the larger chedis/pagodas store the cremains of the first three Chakri kings.

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