Tag: Cemetery Blogger

Stone Stories: A Skyscraper in the Cemetery

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There’s something about the start of a new year that makes me want to jump right in, and what better way to do that than with a stone story.

This one had been on my must-see list for a while, and last summer I finally got to see it in person on a road trip with friends. Tucked away in Aurora Cemetery in Aurora, Ontario, is one of the most unique gravestones I’ve ever come across: a miniature version of the Empire State Building.

John William “Jack” Bowser was born in 1892 in Aurora, Ontario, and went on to become a successful businessman and entrepreneur.1 After moving to New York City, Bowser made his fortune in construction, eventually becoming closely associated with one of the most famous buildings in the world, The Empire State Building.2 Dubbed “Canada’s Greatest Builder,”2 Bowser was deeply involved in the project and served as the construction superintendent, which helps explain why this iconic skyscraper would later appear in such an unexpected place.3

Despite his success in the United States, Bowser maintained strong ties to his hometown. He returned to Canada, and remained active in construction. Bowser owned and operated ABC, Aurora Building Corp. until his death, in 1956.1

  • The Aurora Era, newspaper clipping.
    The Aurora Era, Serving Aurora and District. Aurora, Ontario, Thursday, December 20th, 1945

A Skyscraper Among the Stones

Bowser’s gravestone is impossible to miss. Carved in the unmistakable shape of the Empire State Building, the monument rises above the surrounding stones, complete with stepped setbacks that mirror the Art Deco design of the real skyscraper.4 Standing roughly 10 feet tall, the stone serves as a tribute not only to Bowser himself, but also to his pride in being part of a project that briefly held the title of the tallest building in the world.5

It’s also a fascinating example of how personal identity and legacy can be captured in stone. Rather than traditional symbols or lengthy inscriptions, this monument tells Bowser’s story at a glance. Even if you didn’t know his name, the shape of the stone immediately sparks curiosity and invites questions.

Aurora Cemetery

Aurora Cemetery is the final resting place for many notable local figures, but Bowser’s grave is by far one of its most talked-about features. The cemetery itself is well-maintained and easy to walk, making it a worthwhile stop even beyond this one monument. That said, it’s easy to see why this gravestone has become something of a local landmark and a favourite stop for cemetery enthusiasts and curious visitors alike.

My friends and I visited during one of those truly hot summer days when the heat seems to cling to you, even when you’re standing still. Despite the temperature, the Empire State Building gravestone was impossible to miss. It towers over the surrounding stones, drawing your eye almost immediately as you approach that section of the cemetery.

We were more than happy to slow down and admire it. The monument sits beneath a small grove of trees, and the shade was very welcome after walking through the cemetery in the full sun. We lingered there for a while, taking in the details of the stone and enjoying the brief break from the heat.

John W. Bowser is laid to rest beside his wife, Adaleine McMillan Bowser, who died suddenly in an accident on September 4, 1948.2

Grave of John W. Bowser

Gravesite of John W. Bowser and his wife Adaleine Bowser. Aurora Cemetery, Aurora ON ©2025

Seeing the gravestone brought back memories of my first trip to New York City in 2010, when I saw the real Empire State Building for the first time. Standing at Bowser’s grave, it was hard not to compare the two. One is a towering steel skyscraper in the middle of a busy city, and the other is a quiet stone monument in a small-town cemetery. Even so, both have a presence that makes you stop and look up.

  • New York City Skyline.
    New York City Skyline (The Empire State Building is on the far right), New York NY ©2010

John W. Bowser’s Empire State Building gravestone is a perfect reminder that cemeteries are full of unexpected stories. Sometimes those stories are told through dates and names, and sometimes they rise straight out of the ground in the shape of a skyscraper.

Starting the year with a stone like this feels fitting, and it’s a good reminder to keep looking closely. You never know what kind of story might be waiting in the next cemetery.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. John W. Bowser | Wikipedia
  2. John W. Bowser, More About an Auroran Linked to the Empire State Building | Living in Aurora Blog
  3. John W. Bowser’s Empire State Building Grave | Atlas Obscura
  4. Empire State Building Tombstone In The Aurora Cemetery, John W. Bowser | Living in Aurora Blog
  5. Empire State Building brought prominence to Bowser | YorkRegion.com

2025 Year in Review: Graving Reflections

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As the year winds down, I always like to slow down and think about where this past year of cemetery wandering has taken me.

This year felt especially full, not just because of how far I travelled, but because of the stories I uncovered, the connections I made, and the ideas still rattling around in my head. From long road trips with friends to shorter day trips with mom, 2025 was another reminder of why I keep visiting cemeteries.

So before we head into a new year, I wanted to take a moment to look back at a few highlights, along with some things I want to carry forward.

  • 2025 Year in review

One thing that really stood out when I look back on this past year was just how many cemeteries I managed to visit. Even though it was a slightly quieter year overall, I still explored 84 cemeteries I’d never been to before, plus three return visits. This brings my total to 87 cemetery visits in 2025.

That number is a little lower than usual, but I’m honestly okay with that. Each visit added something new to my understanding of local history, memorial traditions, and the quiet beauty found in these spaces. It’s a good reminder that it’s not just about how many cemeteries you visit, but what you take away from them.

  • Screen grab of Google maps
    Screen grab of my Cemetery Map for Ontario. (Grey pips have been visited) ©2025

One trip that really stayed with me was a visit to Walkerton with my mom, where we spent time learning about the Walkerton Water Tragedy. It was heavy, emotional, and important. It reinforced for me why cemeteries and memorial spaces matter. They give us a place to remember, reflect, and sit with difficult truths.

Another memorable trip took my mom and I to Orillia to visit the OPP Headquarters. Tucked inside their museum is the final resting place of Cloud II, the first Ontario Provincial Police dog killed in the line of duty. That story has stayed with me. I haven’t quite shaped it into a full blog post yet, but it’s one I’m hoping to share in the new year.

This year also saw my friends and I take our longest road trip yet. We dared to make the six-hour drive to London, Ontario, to visit Woodland Cemetery. Known for its deer, famous graves, and beautiful tombstones, it was definitely worth the trip. We made good time getting there, stopped in for lunch at The Early Bird, and then spent a couple of hours exploring the cemetery before heading back home. Yes, another six hours in the car. We were all glad we did it, but we also vowed never do that again!

  • Cemetery gates of Woodland Cemetery, London
    Woodland Cemetery, London ON ©2025

Not all of this year’s highlights happened inside cemetery gates. One of the most unexpected moments was being interviewed for a Smithsonian Magazine article about gravestone recipes, which still feels a bit surreal to write. I was also mentioned in a Better Homes & Gardens article on the same topic. Seeing such a niche corner of cemetery history reach a wider audience was incredibly validating and reminded me that these stories really do resonate.

I was also invited, once again, to write a guest post for The Haunted Walk. Working with them is always a highlight, and I love having the chance to share my love of cemeteries with their audience.

That said, the year didn’t unfold exactly the way I thought it would. I’d hoped to focus more on experience-based content, and while some of that started to take shape, there’s still a lot I want to try. Instead of seeing that as a failure, I’m choosing to see it as a road map for what comes next.

Looking ahead to 2026, I’m setting a few graving-style New Year’s resolutions!

I want to lean more into hands-on experiences like nighttime cemetery photography, tagging along on a cemetery ghost hunt, or maybe even shadowing someone who cleans gravestones to better understand preservation work. Those story-rich moments feel like a natural next step for me.

For now, though, as the snow settles in and cemetery visits pause, my focus shifts indoors. Winter is my season for research, sharing more stone stories, and finally giving my website portfolio the attention it deserves. I’ll also be spending more time contributing to Find a Grave by doing the quiet, behind-the-scenes work that helps keep those records useful and accessible.

Like most winters, I’ll also be taking a few online courses, with a focus on historic preservation (including cemeteries), as well as grief coaching and end-of-life care. It feels like the right time to explore death and remembrance from a slightly different angle.

  • An Angel statue
    Saint Mary’s Cemetery, Wilno ON ©2025

As I look forward to the new year, I feel genuinely excited about what’s ahead. There are new ideas I want to explore, new experiences I want to say yes to, and plenty of learning to do while the cemeteries rest under the snow.

I’m incredibly grateful to everyone who reads along, shares posts, sends book recommendations, and reaches out to chat about gravestones, stories, and history.

Thank you for being part of this journey with me. I hope the new year brings you good health, curiosity, and meaningful moments. Wishing you a very happy New Year, and I’ll see you in 2026.

Thanks for reading!

Cemetery Recipes: Grandma Mary’s Fruit Cake

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As the holiday season settles in, certain foods start appearing on tables everywhere. Fruit cake is one of those dishes that shows up year after year, especially around Christmas. Love it or hate it, fruit cake has become deeply tied to the season. Because of that, this month’s cemetery recipe feels especially fitting. It’s a recipe connected to family, tradition, and a time of year when food and memories tend to go hand in hand.

Mary Ann Rapp was someone whose life revolved lovingly around family. Her obituary speaks to a woman who was deeply loved and loved right back through the everyday things that matter most. She was a wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and friend, all roles that shaped much of her life and how she spent her time.1

Food and cooking were part of how Mary Ann showed care for the people around her. Her love of cooking and feeding others lives on with a recipe carved into her gravestone.1 It’s easy to imagine her in the kitchen, preparing meals for family gatherings, holidays, or just regular days when food brought everyone together.

Mary Ann passed away on March 16, 2021, after a courageous battle with metastatic breast cancer.1 She was laid to rest in Shipley Cemetery in Bristol, Tennessee, where her gravestone now shares a piece of her legacy through an engraved recipe.

  • Gravestone of Mary Ann Rapp, Shipley Cemetery in Bristol, Tennessee.
    Gravestone of Mary Ann Rapp, Shipley Cemetery in Bristol, Tennessee. Photo by Find a Grave contributor Cat.

Here is the recipe, as engraved on here tombstone:

Grandma Mary’s Fruit Cake

8 oz Pineapple wedges
8 oz Red cherries
8 oz Green cherries
1 C Raisins
1 C Walnuts
1 C Pecans
1/2 C Butter soften
3/4 C Brown sugar
3/4 C White sugar
5 Eggs
2 Tsp Dark molasses
1 Tsp Ground cinnamon
1 1/2 C Self rising flour

Mix in large bowl
Mix on low speed for 3 minutes
Spread in a bundt pan. Spray pan
Oven 250 degrees for 1 hour or
Until done
If the middle is brown

In the kitchen

Fruit cake has a surprisingly long history. Versions of fruit-filled cakes can be traced back to ancient times, when dried fruits, nuts, and sweeteners were mixed to create food that would last without refrigeration.2 Over time, these dense cakes have become associated with celebrations and special occasions.2

Fruit cake’s strong connection to Christmas comes from practicality as much as tradition. Dried fruits and nuts were ways to preserve harvests for winter, making fruit cake a natural choice for holiday feasts. Over time, it has become a symbol of abundance, hospitality, and sharing during the Christmas season.3

For me, there is also another special connection to this controversial treat. My mother loves fruit cake, and every Christmas she would receive one as a gift from my sister-in-law’s parents, who joined us every year for our family Christmas dinner. They have both passed on now, and their presence is still missed at our family gatherings. My mother often reminisces about her fruit cake Christmas gift tradition, so I thought bringing one to Christmas dinner this year might make her smile.

Honestly, this recipe is so simple and easy to make that it might become a new yearly addition to our dessert table.

I was a little intimidated at first by the number of ingredients, but that feeling quickly faded once I started mixing everything. I did have to make one substitution, though. After a few unsuccessful searches for green cherries, I finally gave up and doubled up on red cherries instead. I combined everything in the order listed in the recipe, and as I sprinkled in the cinnamon, I couldn’t help but think that it already looked like Christmas in a bowl.

Because the recipe called for mixing on low for three minutes, I pulled out my little hand mixer and followed the instructions exactly. I was a bit worried that the fruit and nuts might get completely pulverized, but they seemed to hold together for the most part. Once the mixing was done, I was left with a lovely caramel-coloured batter that was a bit chunky, but smelled wonderful.

I borrowed the fanciest bundt pan my mother owns for this bake. I did notice that the directions seemed slightly out of order, as they read, “Spread in a bundt pan. Spray pan.” I’m pretty sure the pan should be sprayed first, so that’s what I did before carefully spreading the batter inside. I then used a spatula to smooth out the top and wiped away any drips along the edge of the pan. I then placed it into the oven, which had been preheating since I started putting all the ingredients together.

After one hour in the oven, I took a peek to see how things were going. The kitchen smelled warm and sweet, with hints of cinnamon. The cake had turned a darker brown, but when I looked more closely, I could tell the batter was still a little too soft and still slightly liquid in a few spots. I slid it back into the oven for another five minutes, then another five, then another five. I had to remind myself that patience is part of baking, too.

After letting the cake cool, I flipped it upside down on a plate and gently released it from the pan. Using a fancy bundt pan turned out to be a great decision, as the finished cake looks beautiful with all of its facets clearly defined. The dark brown colour of the cake, combined with the fruit and nuts peeking through, makes it a genuinely pretty dessert. It really is a nice-looking cake, which is always a bonus.

Grandma Mary’s Fruit cake

Of course, the real test is the taste. The cake is dense and sweet, and the combination of fruit, nuts, and cinnamon truly does taste like Christmas. It’s the kind of dessert meant to be sliced thin and shared, which feels exactly right for a recipe meant to carry so much history and meaning.

There’s something especially touching about a gravestone recipe when you know how important cooking was to the person it belonged to. Grandma Mary’s fruit cake isn’t just a holiday dessert. It’s a reflection of how she cared for others and how she brought people together.

Baking this recipe to share with my own family feels a little like continuing that tradition. Even years later, Mary Ann’s love of food, family, and togetherness still finds a place at the table, especially during the holidays.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Mary Ann Rapp Obituary | Oakley-Cook Funeral Home and Crematory
  2. The History of Fruitcake | Collin Street Bakery
  3. Why Do We Eat Fruit Cake at Christmas Time? | Christmas Central

Stone Stories: The Golden Girls of Prospect Cemetery

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Have you ever heard of best friends being buried together?

That’s exactly what four women in Toronto chose to do. They lived in the same neighbourhood, supported one another, and made sure they’d stay side by side long after their time on earth. Their story is heartwarming, inspiring, and a little unexpected.

In the heart of Toronto’s Prospect Cemetery sits a shared gravestone marked with one simple word: Friends. The four women behind that stone, Pauline Chorna, Annie Hrynchak, Nellie Handiak and Anna Baran, might not be famous, but their story has captured hearts across Canada and beyond.

These women, friends in life and now in death, chose to be buried together as chosen family. Their decision, made decades ago, quietly reflects a lifestyle that’s now becoming more common, one that embraces shared housing and friendship as a way to age with dignity and connection.1

At a time when most people were buried with relatives, choosing to be buried with friends was unusual and incredibly meaningful, which is part of why their gravestone stands out so much today.

  • Friends gravetsone
    “Friends” Prospect Cemetery, Toronto ON ©2025

Thank you for being a Friend

Long before the Golden Girls TV show aired in 1985, these four women had already built full lives rooted in friendship and community. All four were immigrants from the Carpathian Mountains, part of a wave of 20th-century migration driven by difficult economic times2. Some say they may have met on the ship that brought them to Canada.2

They each married and raised families, but no matter where life took them, they stayed close. They met regularly to play cards and catch up at the Carpatho-Russian cultural centre, building a bond that lasted decades and continued beyond their lifetimes.

This kind of friendship, and now living arrangement, is part of a growing movement in Canada known as the Golden Girls model. It’s a new way for seniors to share homes instead of moving into care facilities. It helps fight loneliness and can make housing more affordable. In 2019, a bill called the Golden Girls Act was introduced in Ontario to make shared housing easier and more protected by law.3

The movement has grown beyond Toronto, too. In my hometown of Sudbury, for example, a group of women created the Golden Girls Network to help seniors learn more about shared housing. They want people to know that this way of living can offer friendship, safety, and support. It’s not just about saving money, it’s also about finding joy and community in later life.4

  • Prospect Cemetery gates
    Prospect Cemetery, Toronto ON ©2025

Prospect Cemetery

Prospect Cemetery opened in 1890 and has been part of Toronto’s landscape ever since, with peaceful paths and historic stones that reflect more than a century of stories.5

We visited on a chilly, grey day in late April 2025. My fiancé and I were staying in Toronto with friends, and they suggested we take a stroll through the cemetery. The cemetery is quite large, and many locals use it for dog walks, bike lessons and quiet strolls.

Our friends were more than happy to show us around, especially to show us the grave of the well-known Golden Girls.

We found their final resting place easily. The red granite stone sits right along the path. At the top, where a family name would usually be, is the word “Friends”, followed by the names and dates for each woman.

Pauline Chorna was the first to pass away on January 30, 1977.

Annie Hrynchak followed on February 6, 1993, at the age of 87.

Anna Baran also passed away on February 6, 1996, 3 years later, at the age of 91.

Nellie Handiak, who had purchased the cemetery plot back in 1968, was the last of the group to pass away.2 She died on June 22, 2006, at the age of 97.

  • "Friends" gravestone in Prospect Cemetery, Toronto ON
    Prospect Cemetery, Toronto ON ©2025

Handiak’s daughter, Jeannie, honoured one of her mother’s final wishes by slipping a deck of cards into her casket.2

When Handiak first told her daughter that everything had already been arranged, even the headstone, Jeannie was taken aback. “Oh, we got that too. We’re gonna be ‘friends’”, her mother had said.2 When asked why, her answer was simple: cards. So when Jeannie placed that deck of cards in the casket, she made sure the four friends could carry on their favourite card games in the afterlife.2

Their story continues to be shared online and in local news, and their gravestone has become a small point of interest for visitors who are moved by their friendship.

So, if you ever find yourself wandering through Prospect Cemetery, take a moment to visit their grave. It might leave you thinking differently about getting older and about how powerful true friendship can be.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Who are the Golden Girls of Prospect Cemetery and why did they decide to spend eternity together? | Toronto Star
  2. Best Friends…Forever | Toronto Star (through Pressreader)
  3. Golden Girls Act to help seniors access shared housing | Registered Nurse Journal
  4. ‘Golden Girls’ concept expands to Sudbury, Northern Ontario | Sudbury Star
  5. Prospect Cemetery | Find a Grave

A Gift Guide for Taphophiles: 2025 Edition

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It’s that time of year again, for my annual gift guide for fellow taphophiles!

I can’t believe this is already the fourth edition, but it has quickly become one of my favourite posts to put together. Curating cemetery-themed goodies always feels a bit like treasure hunting, and this year’s list was especially fun to build.

Earlier in November, I tried something new and asked for suggestions to help shape this year’s roundup. The response was fantastic! You shared links, ideas, small shops, artists, and quirky treasures I had never seen before. This guide is a mix of your recommendations, creative finds from makers in the community, and a few items I discovered during my own wanderings this year.

Altogether, it has turned into a great list of 13 gifts any taphophile would be happy to unwrap!

Mortality bumper sticker by Cat Coven

This bumper sticker is a fun pick for anyone drawn to old New England gravestone imagery. The design has a perfect mix of humour and memento mori vibes, making it a great little gift for the cemetery fan in your life who appreciates both style and a touch of existential flair.

Find it at catcoven.com

  • Mortality bumper sticker by Cat Coven
    Mortality bumper sticker. Photo by Cat Coven

Gravestone Cleaning Junior Kit from Cemetery Preservation Supply LLC

If you know someone interested in cleaning older gravestones safely, this junior kit is a great place to start. The kit follows the same guidelines used by preservation professionals, which makes it a solid option for beginners or anyone who wants to care for family stones or local historic markers (with permission, of course).

Find it at gravestonecleaner.com

  • Gravestone Cleaning Junior Kit from Cemetery Preservation Supply LLC
    Gravestone Cleaning Junior Kit from Cemetery Preservation Supply LLC

Our Darling gravestone replica by Weeping Widow Antiques

This 3D-printed gravestone is a beautiful, miniature reproduction of a real zinc gravestone for a little boy who passed away in 1882. Every side is detailed, from the praying child to the floral accents. It is perfect for a cabinet of curiosities, shelf display, or as a keepsake. This is also the second time Weeping Widow Antiques has been featured in my annual guide. I am always drawn to their beautiful reproductions!

Find it on Etsy.

  • Our Darling gravestone replica by Weeping Widow Antiques
    Our Darling gravestone replica. Photo Weeping Widow Antiques

Winged Death Head necklace by Red Moth Jewelry

This handmade sterling silver necklace is a beautiful nod to the old winged death head motif found on early New England gravestones. The necklace comes with a sterling silver chain in your choice of length, so you can wear it exactly how you like. Each one is made individually, so every piece has its own subtle charm.

Find it at redmothjewelry.com

  • Winged Death Head Necklace by Red Moth Jewelry
    Winged Death Head Necklace. Photo by Red Moth Jewelry

Memento Mori decorative pillow by Spider Bite

This decorative pillow is a fun, cozy nod to cemetery aesthetics. Made from soft grey minky fabric with black embroidery, it’s perfect for adding a touch of graveyard charm to any room.

Find it on Etsy.

  • Memento Mori decorative pillow by Spider Bite
    Memento Mori decorative pillow. Photo by Spider Bite

Etched in Stone: Decoding Hidden Meanings in Cemeteries by Gina Black

This guidebook is a great pick for anyone who loves digging into cemetery symbolism. Gina Black shares her knowledge from years of exploring burial grounds around the world, breaking down the meanings behind the designs, motifs and architectural details we often walk past.

Find it on Amazon.

  • Etched in Stone: Decoding Hidden Meanings in Cemeteries by Gina Black
    Etched in Stone: Decoding Hidden Meanings in Cemeteries by Gina Black. Photo from Amazon.

Cemetery Scavenger Hunt t-shirt TalkDeath x Steffi Lai collab

This black tee features a playful design by Steffi Lai, first seen on the 2024 Cemetery Scavenger Hunt tote bag. Made from soft material and printed locally in Canada, it is comfortable, stylish, and perfect for wearing on your cemetery adventures.

Find it at talkdeath.com

  • Cemetery Scavenger Hunt t-shirt TalkDeath x Steffi Lai collab
    Cemetery Scavenger Hunt t-shirt TalkDeath x Steffi Lai collab. Photo by TalkDeath

Taphophile Society sticker by Wirehed Laboratories

This vinyl sticker is a fun way to show your love for all things cemetery-related. It is waterproof, scratch-resistant, and sturdy enough for cars, water bottles, or any surface you feel like decorating. The design is perfect for anyone who proudly identifies as a taphophile.

Find it on Etsy.

  • Taphophile Society Sticker by Wirehed Laboratories

To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant

If you enjoy gravestone recipes, this book belongs on your shelf! To Die For gathers forty recipes that families chose to preserve on or alongside their loved ones’ gravestones. Rosie Grant pairs each dish with photos and family stories that highlight the connection between food and memory. This is a great gift for anyone who loves a mix of history and heartfelt storytelling.

Find it on Amazon.

I reviewed To Die For back in October. You can read that review at chantallarochelle.ca

  • To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant
    To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant

Easily Distracted by Cemeteries sticker by Magic in Our Bones

This vinyl sticker is a fun little nod to anyone who can’t pass a cemetery without stopping for a closer look. It’s waterproof, durable, and the right size for decorating your water bottle, laptop, or notebook. This is the second time Magic in Our Bones has been featured in my annual guide, which says a lot about how fun their creations are!

Find it on Etsy.

  • Easily Distracted by Cemeteries sticker by Magic in Our Bones
    Easily Distracted by Cemeteries sticker by Magic in Our Bones

Graveyard Wanderer tote bag by Graveyard Wanders

If you love a practical bag for your cemetery outings, this one fits the bill. The Graveyard Wanderer tote has a sturdy sipper to keep everything secure and a handy inner pocket that is just the right size for the little things that always end up at the bottom of the bag. The silver-embroidered Gothic lettering adds a nice touch, and it’s roomy enough for notebooks, snacks, or whatever you like to bring along on your wanderings.

Find it here, at graveyardwanders.com.

  • Graveyard Wanderer tote bag by Graveyard Wanders
    Graveyard Wanderer tote bag. Photo by Graveyard Wanders

Die Laugh Love illustration by Heather Buchanan

This 8 x 10 print is darkly funny and full of charm. A playful memento mori, it’s perfect for anyone who appreciates a mix of Gothic wit and clever irreverent art. Heather also has a whole cemetery of gravestone illustrations to choose from!

Find it at heatherbuchanen.ca

  • Die Laugh Love illustration by Heather Buchanan
    Die Laugh Love illustration. Photo by Heather Buchanan

The Graveyard art print by Katherine Blower

This dark and moody scene invites the viewer to imagine the story behind the ghost searching through the cemetery. Printed on lightly textured, gallery-grade cotton paper with a white border for easy framing. It makes a striking addition to any Taphophiles collection or home decor.

Find it at redbubble.com

  • The Graveyard art print by Katherine Blower
    The Graveyard art print. Photo by Katherine Blower

And that wraps up the 2025 edition of the gift guide!

I love seeing how much the cemetery-loving community grows and connects each year, and this list really shows that spirit. Whether you are shopping for someone else or treating yourself, I hope you found something that sparks a little joy.

Here’s to another season of celebrating the art, history, and offbeat charm we all appreciate.

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. I am just sharing products I love!

Cemetery Recipes: Scotcharoo Bars

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After taking a break from gravestone recipes over the summer, I’m excited to dive back in with a sweet treat that has a story. Kari Jo Lozenski’s Scotcharoo Bars seemed like the perfect place to start.

Kari was known for her energy, kindness, and the way she brought people together. She managed the AmericInn Hotel in Aberdeen, South Dakota, where she was named National General Manager of the Year in 2015.1 She was also a devoted mom and an active part of her community.

Baking was one of her favourite things to do, and she earned the nickname “Betty Crocker” from friends and family, who loved her treats.1 Kari passed away from breast cancer in 2020, leaving behind memories of good food, laughter, and a whole lot of love.1

  • Gravestone of Kari Jo Lozenski.
    Gravestone of Kari Jo Lozenski. Photo by Tasha Tietz, Graveyard Girl. Used with permission.

According to her gravestone, which can be found in Riverside Cemetery in Aberdeen, this recipe was one of her favourites:

Scotcharoo Bars

  • 6 Cups crushed Rice Crispies
  • 1 1/4 Cup Corn Syrup
  • 1/4 Cup Honey
  • 1 Cup Peanut Butter
  • 1 Cup Sugar
  • 1/2 Bag Butterscotch Chips
  • 1/2 Bag Chocolate Chips

| Crush the Rice Crispies in a big bowl and then measure them out. In a Pan | Add Sugar, CS, PB & Honey. | Heat that until the sugar is dissolved. Do not bring to a boil. Put in pan and melt chips over top and that’s it!!

  • Gravestone of Kari Jo Lozenski
    Gravestone recipe found on the gravestone of Kari Jo Lozenski. Photo by Tasha Tietz, Graveyard Girl. Used with permission.

In The Kitchen

I went into this recipe thinking it would be quick and simple, but the more I studied the recipe, the more tiny question marks popped up. A quick online search cleared some things up, so I gathered my ingredients and cookware and got started.

  • Ingredients to make Scotcharoo Bars

When I reached out to Tasha Tietz, also known as Graveyard Girl, to ask for permission to use her photos for this post, I also asked if she had any advice for making these bars. Her biggest tip was to use the largest bowl I owned because the crushed Rice Crispies will get everywhere. I usually try to follow gravestone recipes as closely as possible, but I decided I wouldn’t be crushing mine up. I did take her bowl advice, though.

From there, it all came together pretty quickly. I measured out the sugar, corn syrup, honey and peanut butter, then warmed everything on the stove. I kept a close eye on the mixture to make sure it didn’t boil and waited until the sugar was dissolved completely. Once it looked smooth, I poured it over the Rice Crispies and gently folded everything together with a spatula. Then I pressed the mixture into a 9×13 pan, having forgotten to butter it, of course.

The topping was supposed to be a mix of butterscotch and chocolate chips, but my butterscotch had definitely seen better days. I stuck with straight melted milk chocolate chips, which gave the bars a thinner top layer, but honestly, considering the sugar load in this recipe, it didn’t feel like a loss.

That unbuttered pan did come back to haunt me when I tried to cut the bars after they had cooled. Thankfully, a few minutes in the oven at 350°F loosened everything enough for me to pry them out. Crisis averted!

  • Scotcharoo Bars

The final result was sweet and chewy, and perfect with a cold glass of milk. Although I didn’t make them exactly according to Kari’s recipe, I did have a lot of fun trying, and they still tasted delicious in the end. I hope I did her memory justice by bringing her recipe to life in my own kitchen.

Recreating Kari’s Scotcharoo Bars was a great way to ease back into gravestone recipes. This recipe is simple, sweet, and exactly the kind of treat that disappears fast. A nice way to spend an afternoon experimenting in the kitchen, remembering Kari and sharing food.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Kari Jo (Ulmer) Lozenski (Obituary) | Schriver’s Memorial Mortuary & Crematory

Cemetery Book Review: Remembrance

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November feels like the right time to settle in with a book about memory, loss, and the people who shaped the world before us.

The author of Remembrance, Norman S. Track, kindly reached out and shared a PDF copy with me to review. Self-published in 2019 through Blurb, the book explores war memorials and cemeteries around the world, focusing on how we honour and remember lives shaped by conflict.

With Remembrance Day having just passed, the theme hits close to home.

Here is the book synopsis from Blurb:

“A September 1970 trip to Warsaw, unexpectedly, started me on a journey of memory and remembrance. Twenty-six years later, while walking through the six towers of the Boston New England Holocaust Memorial, I felt myself back in rural Poland traversing the terrain of Treblinka, Gross Rosen, and Auschwitz-Birkenau. Four years later, after extensive study and thought, I traveled throughout Europe visiting sites where incidents occurred, both negative and positive, during the twelve years of the Third Reich. The photographic images of that journey are published in A Voice in the Ashes (2008).

The latest stop on my journey was a visit to Ohlsdorf Cemetery, Hamburg. On 11 May 2017 I photographed a number of military cemeteries, both German and Commonwealth. On the train back to Eppendorf, I started to see these Ohlsdorf images standing together with those from the historical landscape of the Third Reich—all speaking the language of remembrance. This collection of images is a first attempt to explore this concept.”

  • Book cover for Remembrance by Norman S. Track
    Remembrance by Norman S. Track

This is a beautiful book. The photos have a quiet strength to them and carry a lot of emotion. Every image is paired with text that weaves historical detail with the author’s personal experiences at these sites, giving you both facts and feelings. It feels like you’re learning about the past while also witnessing how it lives on in memory.

The layout is clean and simple, giving the photos room to speak for themselves. I love photo books that give the images room to breathe, and Remembrance does that really well. There is a strong balance of context, reflection, and personal connection that brings the sites and the author’s journey together.

If you enjoy cemetery photography, memorials, military history, or books that encourage you to slow down and think, this is a lovely choice. It’s a book meant to be experienced, and not skimmed. It carries a great deal of respect for the places it documents.

I’m always grateful to find cemetery-related books that explore memory with care, and this one does so in a sincere and thoughtful way.

Thanks for reading! 

I am always on the hunt for cemetery-related book recommendations. If you are an author and have a cemetery-related book you would like me to review, please reach out at hello@chantallarochelle.ca. I would love to hear from you!

A Collection of Canadian Military Markers

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With Remembrance Day coming up on November 11, I have been thinking a lot about the quiet way we honour those who have served.

One of my favourite ways to reflect is by visiting military graves. There is something powerful about finding these simple, dignified markers in cemeteries across the country.

So, I thought this would be a meaningful time to share a collection of Canadian military gravestones that I have photographed over the years. Each one tells a story, and together they remind us that service and sacrifice are never forgotten.

Zion Evangelical United Church Cemetery, Pembroke ON ©2024

Canadian Armed Forces members who pass away during service are honoured with a standard military tombstone. These gravestones are arranged through the Department of National Defence and placed by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission when the marker is in one of their cemeteries, or by Public Works and Government Services Canada when it is in a civilian cemetery.1 The goal is to maintain a consistent style and honour each member with the same level of care.1

Veterans who are buried in civilian cemeteries can also receive grave marker support. Veterans Affairs Canada runs a Grave Marker Maintenance Program that repairs, cleans, and restores veteran markers across the country.2

In 2023 alone, more than 110,000 repairs were carried out in communities big and small.3 It is pretty incredible to think about how much work goes into preserving these stones and their stories.

  • First Baptist Cemetery, Pembroke ON ©2024
  • Wiseman’s Corner Schoolhouse Heritage Centre, Burks Falls ON ©2023

There are clear rules that guide what goes on a military gravestone. The design is simple and respectful. Each one includes the person’s name, rank, service number, unit or branch, and date of death. If the family wishes, an approved religious emblem or a personal inscription can be added. The stones are all made in the same style and materials, so they stay uniform and recognizable.1

  • Cemetery of Saint John. the Divine 1911-1931, Byng Inlet ON ©2021
  • Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon SK ©2011
  • Woodlawn Cemetery, Saskatoon SK ©2011
  • St. John’s Roman Catholic Cemetery, Kirkfield ON ©2022

Military graves remind us that history is not just something in books. It’s carved in stone and tended with care. Next time you are exploring a cemetery and you see one of these markers, take a moment to pause.

Lest we forget.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Military headstones | Government of Canada
  2. Grave marker maintenance | Veterans Affairs Canada
  3. Over 110,000 repairs made to Veteran grave markers across the country | Government of Canada

October Stone Stories: The Bird Family and Woodchester Villa

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Even though Halloween has just passed, it still feels like a perfect time to share another ghost story.

One that stands out is the tale of the Bird family of Bracebridge, Ontario, and the mysterious history of Woodchester Villa. A house known for both its striking architecture and its lingering ghostly rumours.

In April of 2024, my mother and I took a trip to Bracebridge to explore this unique historic site. It was Easter weekend and our first road trip of the season. The Spring thaw had come early, but spring itself hadn’t quite arrived yet. The trees were bare, and the grass was still brown, giving the whole day an autumn feel.

It was fitting, since we were there to visit ghosts.

Woodchester Villa. Bracebridge ON ©2024

Henry James Bird

Built in 1882, Woodchester Villa was the dream home of Henry James Bird, a successful wool mill owner who made his mark in Bracebridge, Ontario.1 Henry was born on January 3, 1842, in Woodchester, England, the youngest of eleven children.2 He learned the wool trade in his home country before spending time in Australia and the United States, eventually settling in Canada in 1867.2

Before finding his footing in Bracebridge, Henry worked for the Rosamond Woollen Company in Lanark County.2 A few years later, he bought a mill in Glen Allan, but after a terrible flood damaged the property, he decided it was time for a change.2 Tragically, before he could make the move north, his first wife, Sarah Jane Fraser, and their two young children died of tuberculosis.2 In 1872, Henry moved to Bracebridge, where he opened the Bird Woollen Mill beside the falls.2

Henry quickly became a respected businessman and community leader. He served on the town council and helped bring new public utilities to the growing town, including its first water and fire protection systems.2 His success and civic pride eventually led him to build his grand home, naming it “Woodchester” after the village where his story began.2

Woodchester Villa

Although Woodchester Villa was ahead of its time, it’s also long been tied to strange happenings that add to its eerie charm. The house was closed during our visit, but we spent plenty of time admiring its design and reading the educational panels scattered around the property. They helped us picture what life might have been like for the Bird family living within those walls.

I wandered around the grounds with my camera, hoping to catch a flicker of movement from inside. We didn’t see any spirits, but the landscape itself felt charged, as if the past still lingered quietly on that secluded hilltop.

Woodchester Villa is one of Ontario’s finest examples of an Octagonal house.1 The eight-sided design was inspired by Orson Squire Fowler, an American phrenologist and author who believed octagon homes were healthier and more efficient than traditional square houses.1 Bird fully embraced this philosophy, creating a three-storey home that blended innovation with comfort.2

Inside, the villa featured some impressive amenities for the late 1800s, like indoor plumbing supplied by rainwater tanks on the second floor, a ventilation system that circulated air throughout the house, and even electric lighting, which was rare for the time.2

Woodchester Villa. Bracebridge ON ©2024

For all its beauty and history, Woodchester Villa has a reputation for being one of the most haunted spots in Bracebridge. Behind its restored walls, many believe something otherworldly lingers.3

Stories tell of a spectral woman and two ghostly children who seem to wander the rooms.3 Visitors and staff have reported hearing the soft cries of a baby, the quick steps of little feet on the upper floors, and the faint sound of a woman’s voice singing somewhere in the distance.3 Cold spots are often felt throughout the house, especially near the basement stairs. Some have also described the air growing so cold they could see their breath, even in the middle of summer.3

While no one can say for sure who these spirits are, many believe the ghostly woman could be Henry Bird’s first wife, Sarah Jane, accompanied by their two young children.3 All three died of tuberculosis before Henry moved to Bracebridge. Perhaps, as Andrew Hind suggests in Muskoka’s Most Haunted 2, their sudden, tragic deaths left them unable to rest, and they followed Bird north to the home he would later build.3

The idea is both eerie and oddly touching. If the spirits truly belong to Henry’s lost family, Woodchester may represent the life they were meant to share, their love quietly echoing through the halls, long after death.

Bracebridge United Cemetery

After exploring the villa grounds, we visited the nearby Bracebridge United Cemetery, where Henry James Bird and his family are buried.

After some searching, we found the graves of Henry, his second wife Mary Matilda Bird, and several of their children, including Margaret Elizabeth and Catherine.

The cemetery was quiet and calm, yet the connection between the villa and the family’s final resting place added an eerie layer to our visit. Standing at Henry’s grave, I felt surrounded by history and maybe something more. Whether it’s the family’s hardships or the strange energy tied to their home, the Bird story seems to linger beyond the grave.

Bracebridge United Cemetery, Bracebridge ON ©2024

The Bird family’s story and their haunted home remind us how easily history and mystery can intertwine. Whether or not you believe in ghosts, there’s something about Woodchester Villa that still feels alive with the past.

For anyone interested in cemetery tourism or dark local history, this hauntingly beautiful site is well worth the visit.

Thanks for reading!

References:

  1. Woodchester Villa, Bracebridge | Ontario Heritage Trust
  2. Woodchester History | Bracebridge The heart of Muskoka
  3. Muskoka’s Most Haunted 2 by Andrew Hind | Book

Cemetery Book Review: To Die For

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October is full of gatherings. Friends, family, and food, all come together this time of year, with Thanksgiving feasts and Halloween parties aplenty. And what better spooky treat to bring to a fall party than a recipe made from a gravestone?

That’s exactly what Rosie Grant’s new book, To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes, is all about. As someone who often tries out gravestone recipes, I knew this cookbook had to be added to my collection and, of course, reviewed on the blog!

Rosie Grant is a digital archivist and cemetery enthusiast known as @GhostlyArchive on social media. While interning at Washington, D.C.’s Congressional Cemetery, she began to notice the unique things people had engraved on their gravestones.1 After some digging, she discovered that some even included recipes.1 That discovery sparked her project of cooking gravestone recipes and sharing the stories behind them, which eventually led to her new book, To Die For.1

Published in 2025 by HarperCollins, To Die For includes 40 recipes collected from gravestones around the world. Each recipe comes with beautiful full-colour photographs, stories about the people behind the dishes, and even tips on how to document your own family recipes.

Here is a bit of the synopsis from Goodreads:

“For so many, food is a touching, nostalgic thing that brings us together. So much so that some families choose to remember their loved ones through the dishes they made and the food that brought comfort to those around them by immortalizing their recipes on their gravestones.

Thoughtfully and respectfully explored, Rosie has documented this connection between food, legacy, and family, remembering the deceased through the recipes they most loved, and giving their families a platform to share their loved one’s story and cherished dish with the world.”

  • Book cover for To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant
    To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant

This is a gorgeous book. The cover illustrations are lovely, and the glossy photos that accompany each recipe are beautiful. The recipes are organized into familiar categories like cookies & brownies, pies & cobblers, and also includes a few savoury dishes too. One of my favourite touches is the inclusion of sample menus at the back of the book. They show how to create an entire meal using only gravestone recipes, which I thought was a fun addition.

What really makes To Die For special though, are the stories. Grant includes personal notes and memories from the families, showing how food connects generations. The stories are touching and heartfelt, reminding us that a recipe is more than just a list of ingredients. It can be a memory, a legacy, and a link to those we’ve lost.

To Die For is a must-read for anyone who loves cemeteries, cooking, or the idea of keeping memories alive through food. It’s a perfect October read, and it would make a great addition to any cookbook shelf. I’ve already tried about half of the recipes in this book, but I’m looking forward to trying out more.

Whether you bake something from its pages or just enjoy the stories, this book captures the sweetness of remembrance in such a unique way.

Thanks for reading! 

I am always on the hunt for cemetery-related book recommendations. If you are an author and have a cemetery-related book you would like me to review, please reach out at hello@chantallarochelle.ca. I would love to hear from you!

References:

  1. How making recipes etched on gravestones changed this student’s perspective on death | CBC