Emsdale – Cemetery Photography by Chantal Larochelle

Last weekend, some friends and I went on a cemetery road trip in the Burks Falls area. I was really surprised at the amount of white bronze markers that we found. Almost every cemetery we visited had 1 or more zinkys. I had never come across that many before. They are not a common sight in my local Sudbury cemeteries.

So for today’s blog post, I thought I would share a collection of white bronze markers.

In January 2022, I wrote a post that looked more into the history of these unique gravestones. Zinkys as they are lovingly referred to, are also known as white bronze. You can recognize these types of headstones by their bluish-grey color, and if you give them a gentle tap, it should produce a hollow metallic sound.

These types of gravestones never came back into fashion after World War I, but because of their durability, you can still find them in great condition.

Emsdale United Church Cemetery also known as Emanuel United Church Cemetery, Emsdale ON ©2022

Midlothian Memorial Cemetery, Midlothian ON ©2023

Although these markers are very durable, they do sometimes get damaged. According to Understanding Cemetery Symbols by Tui Snider, in the United States during the prohibition era, it was claimed that bootleggers would pry the panels off of these monuments to hide their contraband booze. I am curious if this was also a practice in Canada, as I have found some markers with their panels pried off.

Hurdville Cemetery, Hurdville ON ©2023

Emsdale United Church Cemetery also known as Emanuel United Church Cemetery, Emsdale ON ©2022

Have you found some of these unique gravestones in your local cemeteries? Do you have a favorite design? I would love to read about it in the comments.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Understanding Cemetery Symbols: A Field Guide for Historic Graveyards by Tui Snider

The holidays are almost upon us! We’ve been blanketed by a lot of snow recently, here in Northern Ontario, so it definitely looks and feels like a winter wonderland. My neighborhood has been transformed into a little Christmas village with many of my neighbors decorating their front lawns with holiday blow-up characters, red and green candy canes, and twinkling lights galore. I am not one for Christmas decorations, I haven’t put up a Christmas tree in years, but I do enjoy the twinkling lights.

I don’t have a long post for you today, as I’m thick in the middle of that holiday hustle and bustle that always seems to hit immediately before the holidays. So for my last blog post before Christmas, I thought I would share some of the Christmas-themed grave goods I have found while wandering my local cemeteries.

If you have been following me on social media at all, you most likely have seen me talk about grave goods. I often share some of the more unique things I have found on my cemetery travels.

Grave goods is a term used to describe items that have been left at a graveside by mourners.

I always find it heartwarming when I see Christmas spirit spread to a cemetery. Although seeing candy canes and Christmas trees in July is always a surprise.

Happy Holidays, and Thanks for reading!

Cemetery Photography by Chantal Larochelle

Tag: Emsdale

A Collection of White Bronze

Christmas Grave Goods