It’s officially the holiday season! The long-awaited horror film Thanksgiving is in theatres and Black Friday is behind us. Guess that means it’s time to start thinking about Christmas shopping! I love finding unique and meaningful gifts for my loved ones. It’s so fun to watch someone open up a unique gift that you know they are going to love! The perfect gift doesn’t need to cost a fortune, and supporting a small business is always a bonus. 

I had so much fun creating last year’s gift guide, that I knew I wanted to do it again. I even started a bit early this year, book-marking things I thought would be perfect for this list. So if you are looking for some inspiration for your cemetery-loving friends and family, or maybe your own Christmas wish list, look no further!

Here is my round-up of 13 unique cemetery-related items that I think every taphophile would love!

3D-printed gravestone with mourning woman statue 

These are perfect to add to your cabinet of curiosities! These beautiful pieces are made to order by Weeping Widow, from a lightweight resin and are hand-painted to give them a weathered finish just like the real thing. Pictured is a 3D-printed reproduction of a real gravestone. This monument is for the Sanford family which can be found in Cleveland, Ohio. Be sure to check out the rest of their Etsy shop, it’s filled with other gravestone reproductions and beautiful curiosities. 

A Mortal’s Guide to Cemeteries and

A Child’s Guide to Cemeteries

Described as a morbid activity book for the blossoming taphophile, A Mortal’s Guide to Cemeteries by Amanda R. Woomer is part reference book, part activity book. It features 30 pages of history, 50 pages of symbolism, and over 200 pages of activities! This book would pair well with the Woomer’s other new book, A Child’s Guide to Cemeteries Activity Book. Both of these books are available on the author’s Etsy shop. A note for Canadian shoppers, her Etsy shop does not ship to Canada, but you can also find her books available on Amazon. 

A Walk Through Mount Hope Cemetery

This coloring book, created for children ages 5 to 9, is full of pictures that the Friends of Mount Hope Cemetery hoped would appeal to young children. I would argue that they also appeal to adults since coloring is a great way to unplug and exercise focus and mindfulness. This coloring book, available on Amazon, is illustrated by Ann McCracken, and written by Marcia Birken. Color your way through a beautiful and historic cemetery, while learning about its landmarks and common cemetery symbols. 

Cemetery Cats 

For the cemetery AND feline lover in your life. Over the past 20 years, Owen Philips has created thousands of photographs of cats in dozens of cemeteries, in numerous countries, on three continents. This photography book, available on Amazon, is a collection of some of the best of those photographs. By purchasing this book you will also be helping to support Philips’s future photography expeditions in search of the elusive cemetery cat.

Death’s Head Art Print 

They say you should surround yourself with what you love. This death’s head print is stained, ripped, wrinkled, and folded to feel old and authentic. Make sure to check out the rest of Archaic Archives Etsy shop for more memento mori and woodcut prints, but note that the frames are not included. 

Gravestone Enthusiast Package 

This collection would be a great gift for anyone looking to get started in gravestone preservation. Available through the Association for Gravestone Studies (AGS) online store, this bundle Includes A Graveyard Preservation Primer by Lynette Strangstad, the AGS Field Guide, and the AGS iconic “I brake for old graveyards” bumper sticker.

Graveyard Journal for Grave Hunters 

For the taphophile looking to get a little more organized! The Graveyard Journal for Grave Hunters: Cemetery Tourist Notebook and Log by G.C. Waites is available on Amazon. This softcover journal features numbered log pages as well as blank spaces for notes and sketches. Its small size is perfect for slipping into your travel bag, and you can record up to 60 cemetery visits within its pages. 

“I’d rather be at the Cemetery” unisex t-shirts 

I think every taphophile can relate to this sentiment. That’s why this beautiful t-shirt print would make an excellent addition to any taphophile wardrobe! Find this and other great prints over at Dana Glover Art on Etsy.

Sleepy Hollow Cemetery Map 

Perfect for the taphophile who is always dreaming of travel. This map of the Sleepy Hollow Cemetery, a historic site, is the final resting place of Washington Irving, the author of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow. Sleepy Hollow Gifts also has other unique souvenirs that would pair well with this map to help get those travel plans started.

Spooky Art Print

This spooky-cute art print would be a great gift for any cemetery lover. Laurie A. Conley‘s art is full of lovey scenes depicting ghosts and grim reapers in a cemetery, so make sure to check out the rest of her Etsy shop.

Taphophile deaths head ring in sterling silver or gold 

Deaths heads, or skull effigies are my favorite graveyard symbol. I’m sure many other taphophiles agree. Along with being a beautiful ring, this deaths head ring by Arcana Obscura Designs on Etsy, is also a lovely memento mori, a reminder that life is fleeting and to live life for today.  

Taphophile Definition T-Shirt 

T-shirts are a staple to any graving wardrobe. This awesome print features the definition of the word Taphophile. Just in case you ever need to explain your love of cemeteries to anyone—there’s a word for that! You can find this and other great prints over at Noir Oddities on Etsy.

Tombstone Tourist Sticker 

I just love the design of this sticker from the Magic in our Bones Etsy shop. I think these would look great on a notebook, water bottle, or even a laptop. Love the design, but not into stickers? You can also get this and some of their other taphophile sticker designs on mugs and tote bags. 

There you have it, the 2023 holiday gift guide for the taphophile in your life!

Thanks for reading!

---

Cemetery Photography by Chantal Larochelle is not affiliated with any of these brands and artists. I do not receive any proceeds from sales. Just sharing products I love!