Tag: Gift Guide

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!

A Gift Guide for Taphophiles: 2023 Edition

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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!

A Gift Guide for Taphophiles

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It’s almost Christmas time, and the hustle and bustle of Christmas dinners and get-togethers are right around the corner. I love finding unique and meaningful gifts for my loved ones. It’s a great feeling to see someone close to you, open up a unique gift that you know they are going to love! These types of gifts also don’t need to cost a fortune, and supporting a small business is always a bonus. I have been eyeing a few fun and interesting cemetery-related items online myself. Unfortunately, I don’t have any taphophiles in my family to buy for, but I thought maybe some of you might.

So this year, I thought I would try my hand at writing a little gift guide for those looking for some inspiration for your cemetery loving friends and family, or maybe your own Christmas wish list.

Below is my round-up of some unique, beautiful and practical cemetery-related items that I think any taphophile would love!

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

A Tomb With a View – The Stories & Glories of Graveyards | Indigo Books

If your taphophile friends and family like to read, you can’t go wrong with a cemetery book. I’ve heard excellent things about Peter Ross’ new book, and hope to pick myself up a copy if I don’t get one for Christmas. “A book for anyone who has ever wandered through a field of crooked headstones and wondered about the lives and deaths of those who lie beneath.” – Indigo.ca

  • A Tomb With A View By Peter Ross. (Photo from Indigo.ca)

Cooking with the Dead: A zine of Tombstone Recipes | Etsy

A unique full-color illustrated zine by Reading Reliquary. This 20-page booklet features recipes found on tombstones from “Alaska to Israel”. There are a bunch of other spooky-cute items available in their Etsy shop, such as stickers, bookmarks, and another zine about the language of floral symbolism on tombstones. Unfortunately, some items don’t ship to Canada.

  • Cooking with the Dead: A zine of Tombstone Recipes by Reading Reliquary. (Photo from Etsy)

Custom Graveyard Garden Stakes | Etsy

Cursed by Design offers a set of 6, 3D printed garden stakes. You can customize them with any of the 40 available herb names, or you can personalize them with your own names. They would be perfect for a taphophiles herb garden!

  • Custom Graveyard Garden Stakes by Cursed by Design. (Photo from Etsy)

Death’s Garden Revisited: Personal Relationships with Cemeteries | Blurb 

This new book of essays, edited by Loren Rhoads, illuminates the reason why people visit cemeteries. This collection features 40 personal essays, written by cemetery tourists, genealogists, geocachers, anthropologists, and more. A great addition to any taphophiles library.

  • Death’s Garden Revisited: Personal Relationships with Cemeteries edited by Loren Rhoads. (Photo from Blurb)

Deaths Head Enamel Pin | Etsy

This gorgeous 1.5” soft enamel Deaths Head pin, by Verona Black, would look striking on a jacket, camera bag, or anywhere really. It also has some interesting symbolism behind it. A Deaths Head or Skull effigy is a form of Momento Mori, a reminder of your mortality.

  • Deaths Head Enamel Pin by Verona Black. (Photo from Etsy)

Gravestone Casting Wall Art | The Gravestone Girls

Their online store is filled with beautiful castings of old New England gravestones. Their pieces range from small magnets to large castings. They all feature unique gravestone symbolism. The Gravestone Girls, who are fellow taphophiles, have over 30 years of experience working in old cemeteries. So you can be certain that these beautiful gravestone castings have been made with every precaution taken to not harm the gravestones. 

Gravestone Symbols T-Shirt | The Order of the Good Death Store

This unisex t-shirt features some beautiful gravestone symbolism, illustrated by Meagan Meli. The symbols are also accompanied by their meanings. Perfect for those who would rather be visiting a cemetery. I know I would personally try to find all the symbols on it if I ever wore this while visiting a historic cemetery.

Gravestone Types Classic T-Shirt | Red Bubble

I feel like t-shirts are always a safe bet, especially if they have some cool graphics. This t-shirt by Shaded Grove Art on Red Bubble features a bold, but simple design that lists different types of gravestones. It’s a little bit classic, and a little bit nerdy, a great combination.

  • Gravestone Types Classic T-Shirt by Shaded Grove Art. (Photo from Red Bubble)

I Brake For Cemeteries Bumper Sticker | TalkDeath

Does your vehicle brake for cemeteries? This is a fun novelty accessory, but I can see how this would come in handy on cemetery road trips. Other drivers should be warned! 

  • I brake for Cemeteries bumper sticker by TalkDeath (Photo from the TalkDeath website)

Natural Spectrolite Tombstone | Etsy

These beautiful miniature tombstones from WHCrystal are made from spectrolite minerals that flash beautifully in the sunlight. These would be a very unique addition to someone’s rock and mineral collection, or as a stand-alone piece. I just love the look of these little gravestones.

  • Natural Spectrolite Tombstone from WHCrystal (Photo from Etsy)

One-year membership to AGS | Association for Gravestone Studies

A one-year membership to AGS is a gift that keeps on giving! Members receive some great benefits throughout the year, like The AGS Quarterly, filled with cemetery and gravestone-related articles. They also receive the monthly e-newsletter that features special announcements, news articles, and event information. Membership also includes the next published issue of Markers, their annual journal full of definitive cemetery and gravestone articles. You also get member pricing for the AGS Annual Conference, that’s also known as Cemetery Camp.

  • Logo for the Association for Gravestone Studies (from the AGS website)

Pocket Cemetery – Cemetery illustrations | Etsy

Landis Blair is an amazing illustrator and is offering pre-orders of this beautiful Pocket Cemetery booklet. “A convenient reminder of your pending mortality.” This 24-page booklet contains 21 black & white illustrations of a variety of cemeteries and is estimated to ship by the end of November. They also offer prints and stickers in their Etsy shop.

  • Pocket Cemetery with illustrations by Landis Blair. (Photo from Etsy)

Tombstone Zip Hoodie | Find a Grave

Did you know that Find a Grave has an online store? My favorite item in their shop is this grey zip-up hoodie, perfect to keep you warm while you wander cemeteries and fulfill photo requests. 

There you have it, 13 gift ideas for the taphophiles in your life.

Thanks for reading!