Cemetery Book Review: Last Rites

Posted on November 8, 2026November 3, 2026 Posted in Book ReviewTagged Book Review, Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Book Review, Cemetery Reading, Gravestone, Last Rites, Taphophile, Todd HarraLeave a comment

Now that it’s November, it’s time to get back to our more regularly scheduled programming!

For this month’s cemetery book review, I want to share Last Rites, a book that had been on my TBR list for a while. It ended up being a really interesting read.

It was written by Todd Harra, a licensed funeral director and embalmer, and published in 2022. The book focuses on the history of American funeral and mourning practices, explaining how familiar customs developed and changed over time.

Here is the condensed synopsis from Goodreads:

“Why do we embalm the deceased? Why are funerals so expensive? Is there a reason coffins are shaped the way they are? When―and why―did we start viewing the deceased? Ceremonies for honouring the departed are crucial parts of our lives, but few people know where our traditional practices come from―and what they reveal about our history, culture, and beliefs about death. In Last Rites, author Todd Harra takes you on a fascinating exploration of American funeral practices―examining where they came from, what they mean, and how they are still evolving.

The rich story of the American funeral is one of constant evolution. Whether you’re planning a funeral service or are simply intrigued by the meaning behind American burial practices, Last Rites is an informative and compelling exploration of the history―and future―of the ceremonies we use to say farewell to those who have departed this world.”

I liked how the book was organized. It moves through different time periods in a clear way, showing how practices changed while some ideas were carried forward. It also explores the why behind many funeral traditions, that so often go unquestioned.

It’s well researched, but still easy to read. It doesn’t feel heavy, which makes it a great read even if you are just picking it up out of curiosity. At the same time, it adds helpful context to the customs it covers.

My copy is a hardcover, an officially withdrawn library copy that made its way to me from Wilmette, Illinois. I always think that’s kind of cool. Sometimes books have their own little adventures before ending up on my shelf.

If you’re curious about where funeral traditions come from, this is a solid read. It gives a better understanding of things you’ve likely seen, but may not have thought much about.

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!

Stone Stories: The Ghostly Legacy of Terry Boyle

Posted on November 1, 2026October 30, 2026 Posted in Stone StoriesTagged Canadian Author, Canadian Cemeteries, Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Gravestone, Haunted Ontario, Stone Stories, Taphophile, Terry BoyleLeave a comment

Across Ontario, there are plenty of stories about strange sightings, restless spirits, and places with a history that shouldn’t be forgotten.

One person who has helped bring many of these stories to light, was author and historian Terence Patrick O’Boyle, better known as Terry Boyle.

His books introduced readers to haunted places across Ontario and inspired many of us, including myself, to visit these places and explore the stories for ourselves.

The Man Behind Haunted Ontario

Born in 1953, Terry Boyle spent much of his life exploring Ontario’s history, folklore, and ghost stories. He worked as an author, historian, journalist, and teacher, and also hosted a couple of seasons of Creepy Canada, a TV show about reported paranormal activity across the country.¹^, ²

Boyle’s interest in folklore goes back to his childhood. He grew up hearing stories about little people and leprechauns, which helped keep his mind open to the unexplained.² When he started writing in the 1970s, people began sharing their own strange experiences with him.² Those stories sparked his curiosity and encouraged him to dig deeper.²

He didn’t just sit back and collect other people’s stories, though. Boyle visited the places he wrote about, talked to owners and staff, researched their histories, and searched for old photographs to help bring their stories to life.² He wrote about all kinds of subjects, from Ontario’s history and folklore to its darker past, but it’s his Haunted Ontario series that has had the biggest impact on my own adventures.

I even have a signed copy of one of his books, that I found second-hand. It’s was a fun little find, since he has been such an inspiration.

I’ve come to rely on Boyle’s books when planning cemetery road trips and researching my Stone Stories. They’re often where I start when looking for somewhere new to visit or a story worth digging into. I’ve also discovered places through his books, that I might never have come across otherwise.

With all the exploring he’s done, you know he has some great stories of his own too. During one investigation, he witnessed an ashtray lift off a kitchen counter, float past his face, and land back on the counter.³ He said he probably wouldn’t have believed it, if he hadn’t seen it for himself.³

Whether you’re a skeptic or not, I think there’s something fascinating about the stories that become attached to places. And while reading about them is interesting, there’s nothing quite like visiting one for yourself.

And Boyle’s books have given me plenty of reasons to get out there and explore.

Inn at the Falls

Located in Bracebridge, Ontario, this historic property has its own share of ghost stories. It’s also one of the locations featured in Boyle’s Haunted Ontario 2: Ghostly Inns, Hotels, and Other Eerie Places.

Some of the stories involve Room 105, which caught our attention when my fiancé and I were planning a visit to Bracebridge.⁴ After reading about the Inn, we decided to book a stay in that very room when we visited in 2021.

We didn’t experience anything supernatural, but we had a great time visiting the Inn, chatting with the staff, and exploring the town. The trip even inspired us to start an annual tradition of visiting haunted locations every October.

It’s become one of my favourite traditions!

Ghost Road

Ghost Road, near Port Perry, is another location featured in Boyle’s Haunted Ontario.

Local legend tells of a motorcyclist who died in an accident involving a wire fence. According to the story, people have reported seeing a headlight approaching along the road, followed by a red taillight disappearing in the distance.²

It’s a really cool feeling to stand in a place that you’ve read about, especially when there are ghost stories connected to it.

Carling Cemetery

Terry Boyle passed away suddenly on July 11, 2016, at the age of 63.¹ His passing was a loss for his family and friends, his many readers, and the wider communities of history, folklore, and paranormal enthusiasts. Following a celebration of his life in Parry Sound, he was laid to rest at Carling Cemetery.¹

Carling Cemetery is a lawn park cemetery, so the grave markers lie flat against the ground. I had a bit of trouble finding Terry’s marker at first, but after wandering around for a while, I finally spotted it.

It’s a simple pink granite stone with his name, dates, and the words “a kind, gentle man of vision.” His wife, Allanah Marie O’Boyle, is also named on the marker, although no dates have been added beneath her name.

I brought along a little stuffed ghost to photograph with his marker. I don’t usually bring props or mementos to cemeteries, but it seemed fitting for someone who spent so much time exploring ghost stories. It was my own small way of connecting his work to mine.

I never had the chance to meet Terry in person, but I can’t help wondering what we might have talked about. His books have inspired so many of my cemetery road trips and Stone Stories, and I’ve really enjoyed discovering the places and stories through his work.

Before leaving, I took a moment at his grave to pay my respects and thank him for all the inspiration, and for sharing so many stories with us.

Terry Boyle’s books continue to introduce readers to Ontario’s unusual history and supernatural stories. His work has certainly inspired me to get out and explore, and it’s a reminder that there are so many fascinating stories waiting to be found, so close to home. Sometimes they’re hiding in a haunted inn, along a quiet country road, or a cemetery with a story of its own.

Thank you, Terry, for inspiring me to explore new places, and share the stories I discover along the way.

And, as always, thank you for reading!

References:

Terry Boyle (obituary) | Logan’s Funeral Home
Terry Boyle – Ontario Historian and Author of the Haunted Ontario Series | ThatGrrl
Terry Boyle | The Only Time this Ghost Author saw Something Move | Ghost Walks
Terry Boyle: Experience Bracebridge | Ghost Walks

October Cemetery Stories: Discovery Harbour

Posted on October 25, 2026October 25, 2026 Posted in Cemetery Stories, OctoberTagged Canadian Cemeteries, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Cemetery Story, Discovery Harbour, Gravestone, Haunted, October, Ontario, TaphophileLeave a comment

Earlier this year, my mother and I visited Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene, Ontario, a historic naval and military site with a small cemetery and a reputation for ghostly sightings.

The cemetery was at the top of my list, but there was plenty of history to discover along the way.

Discovery Harbour. Penetanguishene ON ©2026

Discovery Harbour started as a British naval base at Penetanguishene Bay. The location was chosen because of its position on the Great Lakes.¹ Although the bay was identified as a possible site as early as 1793, construction didn’t begin until 1817.¹˒² Ships, sailors, soldiers, civilian workers, and their families all called this remote outpost home.¹

In 1828, a British military garrison moved from Drummond Island to Penetanguishene, joining the naval base.² The Navy left in 1834, but the military stayed until the site closed in 1856.²˒³

The historic buildings and replica ships are still there to explore today. We didn’t have time to see everything, though, since I was eager to find the cemetery.

I asked at the ticket desk where to find it as soon as we arrived. The staff marked it on a map, and a staff member, in full costume, offered to walk my mother and I there. Along the way, he told us a bit about the site’s history.

He also pointed out the replica ships in the harbour and told us that visitors can go aboard them. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to check out the ships, but I enjoyed hearing the history of how the site went from a naval base to a military outpost.

Haunted

Staff and visitors have reported strange sightings at Discovery Harbour for years.⁴

Some of the stories include children looking out of a window and an apparition of a woman in a white dress.⁴ Staff also reportedly saw something sitting on a chair inside one of the buildings. When they left and came back, it had disappeared.⁴

Staff eventually gathered these stories together and started offering Ghost Tours.⁴

There have been some strange reports involving photographs, too. One visitor captured what appeared to be a woman in a blue dress reflected in a mirror, while another photo showed a skull-like image on a wall.⁴ Others have captured translucent orbs, and a film crew working on Haunted Huronia reportedly filmed something crossing in front of the camera in the Keating Building.⁴

Old Garrison Hospital Cemetery

The Old Garrison Hospital Cemetery, also known as the Penetanguishene Military Hospital Cemetery, is tucked away between historic buildings, at the bottom of a sloping hill.

There are only two gravestones here, but they commemorate three people.

Something I noticed was that each original gravestone has a second stone beside it, with the same inscription engraved on it. The original stones have weathered quite a bit over the years, making some of the writing difficult to read. The extra stones make it much easier to read the names and epitaphs.

Our guide told us a little about the three people buried here.

The McGarraty brothers, John and Samuel, were privates in the 79th Regiment, travelling along the muddy Penetanguishene Road in June 1831. One brother became ill and was left in the care of the other. When their fellow soldiers returned with help, both brothers had died.¹

The story goes that fever killed one brother, while the other died from the terror of being left alone in the woods.¹

“ERECTED / By their Comrades / to the / MEMORY / of / Privates John and Samuel / McGarraty. Two Brothers / late of the 79^th ReG who / died on their march to / this Post on the 2^nd June / 1831 / John AGED 25 / Sam^l AGED 23 years / In the midst of life came Death”

Unfortunately, our guide wasn’t able to tell us much about Rosana McCabe, only that she died from an illness at just 10 years old and that her father had her buried here.

“ERECTED / by / Michael McCabe / In memory to his Dau / ghter Rosana McCabe / Who departed this / Life on the 3^rd April / 1839 Aged 10 Years / and 97 days / May the / Lord have mercy on her soul”

There may be more people buried here than we know.

Wooden markers rot away, and gravestones can become buried over time, so some graves may have been lost without a trace. These two remaining stones give us a glimpse into the lives of those buried at Discovery Harbour.

After chatting with the staff about my cemetery photography, our conversation turned to some of the other stories connected to the site. They told us about the Ghost Tours and Secrets of Séance events they offer. I haven’t had a chance to experience either one yet, but I’d love to return and hear some of these stories for myself.

Between the cemetery’s history and the reports of strange happenings around the site, Discovery Harbour has given me another reason to plan a return visit.

Thanks for reading!

References:

The History of Discovery Harbour | Discovery Harbour
Welcome to your digital tour of Discovery Harbour | Huronia Historical Parks
Naval and Military Establishments on Lake Huron | Ontario Plaques
Ghosts seem to reside at Discovery Harbour in Penetanguishene | Midland Mirror

October Stone Stories: Homer Watson, Spiritualist

Posted on October 11, 2026 Posted in October, Stone StoriesTagged Art, Canadian Cemeteries, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Gravestone, Homer Watson, October Stone Stories, Spiritualism, Taphophile, TravelLeave a comment

When you think of famous Canadian artists, you might picture their paintings hanging in a gallery. But what if their former home also has a few ghost stories to tell?

Back in 2024, my mom and I visited the Homer Watson House & Gallery in Kitchener, Ontario, as part of a Guess Where Trips Historic Haunts adventure. Guess Where Trips creates surprise road trips with pre-planned stops, so you can discover hidden gems and local history without having to plan the whole day yourself. I wrote about our adventure in a previous blog post, Cemetery Road Trip: Guess Where Trips.

On our visit to the house, we let the staff know we were particularly interested in its haunted history, and they kindly gave us a private tour, focused on the ghost stories.

Portrait of Homer Watson. Homer Watson House & Gallery, Kitchener ON ©2024

The Artist

Homer Ransford Watson was one of Canada’s best-known landscape artists. Born in 1855 in Doon, now part of Kitchener, Ontario, he developed an interest in art at a young age and received his first set of watercolour paints when he was eleven.¹ He had little formal training, but learned by studying other artists and copying prints.¹ He eventually became known for his landscape paintings, many of which were inspired by the countryside around his hometown.¹

Watson’s career took off in 1880 when he exhibited The Pioneer Mill at the first exhibition of the Royal Canadian Academy.¹ The Marquis of Lorne, Canada’s Governor General, purchased the painting as a gift for Queen Victoria.¹ The Queen acquired another of his paintings, The Last Day of the Drought, the following year.¹ His work eventually reached audiences beyond Canada, with exhibitions in cities including Paris, London, Glasgow, and Chicago.¹ He also became the first president of the Canadian Art Club.¹

Today, his former home is a museum and art gallery, where we got to learn more about his life, his art, and some of his more unusual interests.

We toured the rooms one by one, stopping to hear stories from our guide along the way. One of my favourite spaces was the art gallery room. Added in 1906, it has high windows that let in natural light without taking up valuable wall space.² The house didn’t get electricity until 1915, so that natural light would have been especially important.² The room is still used as an art gallery today.²

I also loved seeing some of the tools Homer used to create his paintings. His paint palette and brushes have been preserved, along with one of his easels.¹ According to the house’s history, he died in 1936, leaving an unfinished painting on his easel.¹

The Spiritualist

The room that really caught my attention was the front parlor.

Homer Watson was a Spiritualist who believed in communicating with the dead, and the front parlor was one of the spaces where he held séances. Spiritualists believed they could connect with the spirit world, through séances or mediums.

And he wasn’t the only notable figure interested in spiritualism. William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s tenth prime minister, was also a Spiritualist and became friends with Homer. The two participated in séances together, including one held in Homer’s parlor on a Friday the 13th.³

One of the artifacts I found most interesting was a collection of spirit cards. These were used during séances to record messages believed to come from the other side. Some feature Homer’s own handwriting, and the gallery has transcriptions to help visitors understand what the cards say.

Homer’s interest in Spiritualism became especially significant after the death of his wife, Roxanna, in 1918.³ The two had been married for nearly four decades, and she had been an important source of support and artistic advice throughout his career.³ After her death, Homer struggled with his painting until he experienced what he believed was a visit from her spirit.³

According to the story shared by the gallery, Homer was sitting in his studio when he saw Roxanna at the bottom of the staircase, surrounded by a curious amber glow. He recalled her telling him, “Do not despair. All is well, Homer.”³

The house still displays the chair associated with this story. Seeing it in person, alongside the staircase, made the story easier to picture. Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it’s an intriguing piece of the house’s history.

I was particularly taken with Watson’s painting, Untitled (River by Moonlight). The dark, moody blue tones and the moon peeking through the clouds made it especially beautiful. I later learned that Spiritualism influenced Homer’s artistic outlook, too. He saw his creative work as something connected to a greater spiritual force, making the relationship between his art and his beliefs even more interesting.³

Doon Presbyterian Cemetery

Of course, no Stone Stories post would be complete without a cemetery visit.

The staff were happy to point us in the right direction when we asked where Homer was buried. His grave is at Doon Presbyterian Cemetery, just a short walk from the house.⁴

The large Watson family monument commemorates several members of Homer’s family.

It bears the names of his parents, Ransford, who owned a local sawmill, and Susannah, as well as his older brother, Jude Nathan, and his sister, Phoebe. Jude Nathan died in a brickyard accident, while Phoebe continued to live and work in the family home after Homer’s death.⁴ An inscription on the side of the monument also remembers Homer’s only son, Charles, who died at birth.⁴ One side of the monument is dedicated to Homer and Roxanna.

After learning so much about Homer during our visit to the house, it was nice to finish the day by visiting his grave. Between his artwork, his family history, and all the stories about his interest in the spirit world, there was certainly a lot more to him than I knew before our trip.

I’m glad we made the stop in 2024. I’d recommend Homer Watson House & Gallery to anyone who enjoys a bit of art, local history, and a few ghost stories.

October is an especially good time to visit, as the gallery holds its annual Spirit Season fundraiser, featuring haunted history tours, paranormal investigations, and other spooky events.⁵ Check the gallery’s website for the current schedule if you’d like to plan a visit of your own.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Homer Ransford Watson | Homer Watson History & Archives
Homer Watson House | Homer Watson History & Archives
Spiritualism Tour | Homer Watson House & Gallery
Doon Presbyterian Cemetery Tour | Homer Watson House & Gallery
Spirit Season 2026 | Homer Watson House & Gallery

October Cemetery Stories: Mizpah Pioneer Cemetery

Posted on October 4, 2026 Posted in Cemetery Stories, OctoberTagged Canadian Cemeteries, Cemeteries, Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Gravestone, History, Mizpah Pioneer Cemetery, October, Taphophile, TravelLeave a comment

It’s been a little while since my last blog post. Life has been keeping me busy lately, and the blog has had to wait its turn.

But with October here, I’m excited to get back to sharing some cemetery stories!

October seems like a good time to explore some of the spookier side of cemetery photography. So, over the next few weeks, I’ll be sharing a few stories with a little mystery mixed in.

This week, I want to share my experience visiting Mizpah Pioneer Cemetery in Muskoka.

I visited Mizpah earlier this year. I went there to explore the cemetery, photograph the gravestones, and see what I could learn about the people buried there. I also had a rather strange experience when it was time to leave.

A Cemetery Trail Through the Woods

Mizpah Pioneer Cemetery is a little different from the cemeteries I usually visit. Instead of rows of graves spread across an open field, this cemetery follows a trail through the woods. A simple wooden arch marks the entrance, along with a large, hand-painted sign that tells some of the cemetery’s history.

I have a soft spot for handmade signs. There’s just something about them that makes a place feel a little more personal. This one gives visitors a glimpse into the people and community that once existed here.

During our visit, there were several fallen trees along the path, so we had to climb over them to reach some of the gravestones on the other side. We did our best to visit every grave we could find as we made our way along the trail.

It’s definitely not your typical cemetery layout, and I found that made exploring it even more interesting.

Mizpah Pioneer Cemetery, Grassmere ON ©2026

A Little History

The pioneer community of Mizpah was established in 1885 and was originally known as Nelson’s Appointment. The name changed to Mizpah after a church was built in the area. The cemetery sign explains that the name comes from a passage in Genesis: “The Lord watch between me and thee when we are absent from one another.”¹ By 1910, most of the families who had settled there had moved away.²

According to the sign at the cemetery entrance, the pioneers who settled here carved their homes and lands from the surrounding forest. The families remembered at the cemetery include the Harts, McGinases, Nelsons, and Halls.¹

The cemetery was used for burials between 1884 and 1905. Only a small number of memorials remain today, and there may be other graves in the surrounding forest whose markers have disappeared over time.²

The community church once stood beside the cemetery. According to the entrance sign, it was later rebuilt as a school and eventually became a home nearby.¹

Among the surviving gravestones are members of the Hart family. Herman Hart died in 1891 at the age of 83, while Thomas Alvin Hart died in 1886, at just three years old.³

Thomas Alvin Hart shares a memorial with other members of his family, and the stone includes the epitaph “We loved them in life / Let us not forget them in death.”³

The cemetery also has the grave of an unidentified Indigenous person. The sign says they were buried with a blanket for a shroud.¹ The grave is marked by a wooden cross that reads, “An Indian 1884.”

The cross is about as tall as I am and looks fairly new, considering the year engraved on it. There were around eight stones perched on top of it, along with a couple of pouches of tobacco.

It’s a distinctive grave, and I found myself wondering about the person buried there. Who were they? How did they come to be buried here? Unfortunately, I couldn’t find any information about them.

After my visit, I tried looking for ghost stories or reports of hauntings connected to the cemetery, but I couldn’t find much. That surprised me a little, considering the strange experience we had when it was time to leave.

After we had walked the entire trail, climbed over fallen trees, and done our best to visit every gravestone, we made our way back to the car.

Nothing unusual had happened while we were in the cemetery. It had been a quiet visit, and we were ready to head home.

Then my car decided it had other plans.

I recently bought a new vehicle, one with a lot of electronic features, including a push-button start. I started the car and put it in reverse to leave. Suddenly all the emergency lights came on and the car stopped responding. The engine was running, but the car wouldn’t move.

I tried putting it in drive, then reverse again, but nothing happened. The parking brake wasn’t on, and I had no idea what was wrong. Since the cemetery is pretty remote, I had a brief moment of panic wondering how we were going to get home if I couldn’t get the car moving.

I took a breath, turned the car off, and waited a few seconds before starting it again.

Everything was completely normal. The emergency lights didn’t come back on and the car responded like it should. We were able to leave without any problems.

Whatever caused it, it’s something I’ve never experienced before or since.

Was it just a glitch with my new car? Maybe. It definitely gave us something to talk about on the drive home.

My mother and I joked that maybe the residents of Mizpah weren’t quite ready for us to leave.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Mizpah Pioneer Cemetery entrance sign | Photographed during visit
Mizpah (ghost town) | Ominous
Mizpah Pioneer Cemetery Memorials | Find a Grave

A Collection of Ceramic Portraits

Posted on September 13, 2026September 9, 2026 Posted in CollectionsTagged Canada, Canadian Cemeteries, Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Cemetery Portraits, Ceramic Portrait, Collections, Gravestone, Gravestone portraits, Headstone, Ontario, Post Mortem Photography, Posthumous Portraits, Taphophile2 Comments

One of my favourite things about photographing cemeteries is all the little details that can easily be missed, like ceramic portraits.

These small photographs give us a glimpse of the people whose names are carved into the stone. Some are still in pretty good shape, while others have faded, cracked, or weathered over the years. A few have deteriorated so much that it’s almost impossible to make out a face.

Today, I’m sharing a few ceramic portraits I’ve come across during my cemetery travels.

Ceramic Portraits

Ceramic portraits, sometimes called porcelain portraits or photo ceramics, are photographs that have been permanently transferred onto materials such as porcelain, glass, enamel, or metal.¹

The technique dates back to the 1850s.¹ French photographer Lafon de Camarsac began experimenting with the process in the early 1850s.¹ By 1855, he was producing photographic images on enamel and porcelain.²

Photo ceramics became popular during the second half of the 19th century.¹ Photographic images were transferred onto all sorts of things, from jewellery and decorative objects to plates and other household items.¹

The technique also found its way into cemeteries.

By the late 19th century, ceramic portraits were being used on gravestones in Europe.³ They gave families a way to preserve the likeness of their loved ones alongside their names and dates.³

Whitefish Catholic Cemetery, Whitefish ON ©2021

Lasalle Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2020

Field Public Cemetery, Field ON ©2021

St. Rose de Lima Parish Cemetery, River Valley ON ©2023

Some of the portraits are still quite recognizable, even though the ceramic itself has weathered over time.

Others have faded considerably. Time and exposure to the elements can take their toll, leaving behind only a faint image.

And sometimes, there isn’t much left to see at all.

Sometimes I come across portraits that are so damaged that it’s difficult to make out the person’s face. Even so, I think they’re worth photographing. The damage is part of their story too.

Lasalle Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2011

Old Greenwood Cemetery, Sault Ste Marie ON ©2019

A Different Kind of Portrait

It’s rare here in Northern Ontario, but sometimes I come across a photo of someone who looks like they’re sleeping, or possibly deceased.

Post-mortem photography became common after the introduction of the daguerreotype in 1839.⁴ It continued to be practiced into the early 20th century.⁴ Children were often the subjects because they might never have had a photograph taken while they were alive.⁴

I’ll save the deeper history of post-mortem photography for another post, because there is a lot more to explore there.

Lasalle Cemetery, Sudbury ON ©2022

What I find most fascinating about these little portraits is how much they can add to a gravestone.

The name and dates tell us when someone lived. The photograph gives us a glimpse of what they looked like. Even when the image has almost completely faded, you can still see the effort that was made to preserve that person’s likeness.

After more than a century outdoors, some of these portraits may be barely recognizable, but they’re still there.

And that’s what makes them worth stopping for.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Photo Ceramic | Das Foto Museum
Encyclopedia of Nineteenth-Century Photography edited by John Hannavy | PDF
Genealogy Tip: Gravestone Porcelain Photos | Genealogy Bank
Post-Mortem Photography: An Overview | University of Michigan, William L. Clements Library

Cemetery Book Review: Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries

Posted on August 16, 2026August 14, 2026 Posted in Book ReviewTagged Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries, America Through Time, Book Review, Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Book Review, Cemetery Photography, Ed Snyder, Gravestone, TaphophileLeave a comment

Cemeteries are meant to be permanent places of remembrance, but history shows that isn’t always the case.

As cities grow and land becomes more valuable, burial grounds are sometimes neglected, relocated, or even erased. It’s a reminder that the places around us are constantly changing, and that some stories can easily be lost if no one takes the time to document them.

That’s what drew me to the work of cemetery photographer and writer Ed Snyder. I’ve been following Snyder on Instagram for a while, and I’ve also enjoyed reading his blog, The Cemetery Traveler. I even included his blog in a previous post about some of my favourite cemetery bloggers.

So, when I heard that he had released a new book, Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs, I was excited to check it out.

Here is the synopsis, from America Through Time:

“Since its inception, Philadelphia has created spaces for its dead. Some still exist, but many are gone or have been neglected and teeter on the edge of oblivion. Between 1850 and 1950, cemeteries across the nation disappeared as cities grew—developers wanted the land. Accompanied by Snyder’s photographs, the reader is taken through Philadelphia and surrounding areas, examining cemeteries of all sizes and eras—many that were destroyed in the name of progress.”

Published in 2025, as part of the America Through Time series, the book explores cemeteries in and around Philadelphia that have been abandoned, neglected, or even erased over time. Snyder explains that as cities expanded between 1850 and 1950, many cemeteries across the United States disappeared as developers sought land for growing communities.¹

The book takes readers on a tour of these forgotten places.

Some of the stories are surprising, including a graveyard that now sits beneath a playground, tombstones discovered in the Delaware River, and an abandoned burial ground hidden in the woods. While some stories are frustrating, others are encouraging. In a few cases, volunteers have stepped in to restore them.

Of course, the highlight of the book is the photography.

Snyder’s full colour images are beautiful and really help tell the story of each cemetery. The photos show both the beauty of these places and the reality of their condition. It’s obvious that he cares about documenting them before they disappear completely. Snyder approaches each one with curiosity and respect, which makes the book enjoyable even if you’re not already familiar with Philadelphia’s cemetery history.

Overall, Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs is a great read for anyone who enjoys history or has an interest in cemeteries. If you like forgotten places, local history, and cemetery photography, I think it’s worth adding to your reading list.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Abandoned and Forgotten Cemeteries of Philadelphia and its Environs | America Through Time

Cemetery Recipes: Jono’s Jack Daniel’s Marinade

Posted on July 12, 2026July 13, 2026 Posted in Cemetery Recipes, Tombstone RecipesTagged BBQ, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Recipe, Gravestone, Jono’s Jack Daniel’s Marinade, Recipe, TaphophileLeave a comment

Summer is barbecue season!

It’s the perfect time to fire up the grill, gather friends and family, and enjoy long summer evenings filled with good food and good company. So while researching gravestone recipes online, I came across what felt like the perfect summer cemetery recipe to try.

The grave of Jono Bot features more than just his name and dates. His monument also includes one of his favourite marinade recipes, permanently etched in stone. It features an airbrushed image of Jono grilling at a barbecue, with a recipe inscribed in his own handwriting.¹

The Story Behind the Stone

Jon Breen “Jono” Bot was born on January 26, 1956.² He grew up near Luverne, Minnesota, before building a name for himself in nearby Sioux Falls, South Dakota. There, he owned several restaurants and bars that became gathering places for good food, live music, and spending time with friends and family.³

One of his best-known contributions was JonoFest, a music event named after him that celebrated local bands and became a Sioux Falls tradition.³ The festival drew thousands of people over the years and reflected his strong connection to the local music scene and community.

That love of food and hospitality comes through clearly in his memorial. Instead of choosing a traditional design, Jono’s gravestone celebrates something he genuinely loved doing. The result is a very personal memorial that immediately catches your attention.

Recipe gravestones are always fascinating because they preserve something from everyday life. Some memorials focus on careers, hobbies, or favourite quotes. Others, like this one, celebrate the simple moments that bring people together.

Jono passed away on September 25, 2018, at the age of 62.² He is laid to rest at Saint Catherine Cemetery in Luverne, Minnesota. His obituary opens with the line, “After the band finished the final encore and the house lights came up, Jono Bot left the show and stepped out into the hands of God.”³ It feels especially fitting considering how connected he was to music, community events, and bringing people together.

Gravestone of Jon Bot. Saint Catherine Cemetery in Luverne, Minnesota. Photo by Find a Grave contributor, Denise1964. Photo used with permission.

Here is the recipe exactly as it appears on the gravestone:

Jono’s Jack Daniel’s Marinade

1 1/2 cup water
2/3 cup soy
1/2 cup bourbon
3 tb spoon Worch
2 “ lemon juice
1/4 cup brown sugar

A couple things stood out to me right away. First, “Worch” is shorthand for Worcestershire sauce. Second, despite the title mentioning Jack Daniel’s, the recipe itself simply says “bourbon.”

Since this is a marinade, I assumed the meat should sit for at least a couple of hours, or ideally overnight, before cooking. I decided to try it on pork chops.

In the Kitchen

This recipe was incredibly easy to put together. I only needed to pick up a few things from the grocery store. I had run out of soy sauce, needed a fresh lemon, and, of course, I needed the whiskey.

That sent me down an interesting rabbit hole about the difference between bourbon and whiskey.

The recipe is called Jono’s Jack Daniel’s Marinade, but the ingredients on the gravestone simply list bourbon. Since I was curious about the difference, I stopped by my local LCBO and asked one of the staff members for some advice.

There was one small problem right away. At the moment, American alcohol has been removed from LCBO shelves as part of Ontario’s response to the ongoing trade dispute between Canada and the United States. That meant Jack Daniel’s wasn’t an option.

Instead, the staff member recommended Jameson’s Irish Whiskey. He explained that, because Jack Daniel’s is made using the sour mash process, Jameson’s would be one of the closest alternatives currently available.

I also asked about the bourbon versus whiskey question.

He explained that all bourbon is whiskey, but not all whiskey is bourbon. It turns out that bourbon has to meet some specific legal requirements, including being made in the United States from a mash containing at least 51% corn and aged in new, charred oak barrels. Even though he suggested another whiskey that was a little closer to a traditional bourbon, I decided to stick with something closer to Jack Daniel’s since that’s what the recipe is named after.

Once I had all the ingredients, making the marinade couldn’t have been easier. I grabbed a large bowl, measured out all the ingredients, and mixed them in the same order as they appear on the gravestone.

The first thing I noticed was the smell. With half a cup of whiskey in the recipe, it definitely had a strong aroma. The marinade was also very dark, which made it a bit tricky to photograph.

To test it out, I thawed two pork chops from my freezer and let them marinate overnight. They were completely submerged, so I probably could have added another piece or two of meat, but that’s all I had. The next morning, I flipped them over and let them continue marinating until it was time to barbecue after work.

Dinner almost went exactly as planned.

I fired up the barbecue and added the pork chops, along with some corn and green beans. Then, halfway through cooking, I ran out of propane! Thankfully, I was able to finish everything off in the oven. My mom also shared some of her potato wedges, that she had made, to round out the dish.

Despite the unexpected interruption, the pork chops turned out fantastic. They were flavourful, juicy, and had just the right balance of sweetness and savoury flavour. This is definitely a recipe I’ll be making again. It’s so simple to prepare, perfect for summer barbecues, and one I can easily see serving to friends and family.

A favourite barbecue recipe may seem simple, but it can say a lot about a person and the memories they shared with others.

Jono’s gravestone does exactly that. Even years later, it still encourages people to fire up the grill and try something that clearly meant a lot to him.

Thanks for reading!

References:

To Die For: A Cookbook of Gravestone Recipes by Rosie Grant | Book
Jon Bot | Find a Grave
Jon “Jono” Bot (Obituary) | Legacy.com

Cemetery Recipes: Sharon’s French Silk Pie

Posted on May 10, 2026May 8, 2026 Posted in Cemetery Recipes, Tombstone RecipesTagged Baking, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Recipes, French Silk Pie Recipe, Gravestone, Gravestone Recipe, Sharon's French Silk Pie, TaphophileLeave a comment

Some cemetery stories come from wandering through the rows of gravestones in person, but others show up through research, photographs, and the unexpected things people choose to leave behind on a memorial.

This is one of those stories.

A French Silk Pie recipe engraved on a gravestone somehow manages to feel sweet, funny, personal, and a little unexpected all at once. It turns a memorial into something that feels almost like a family recipe card left behind for anyone curious enough to stop and read it.

Sharon Kay Edwards is remembered in a way that feels very real and relatable. The front of her memorial carries the line: “Well, that didn’t go how I thought it would…” which genuinely made me laugh the first time I read it.

She is buried in Friends Cemetery, a cemetery that also holds the graves of baseball brothers Clete Boyer, Cloyd Boyer, and Ken Boyer.¹

Sharon’s obituary talks about her life, family, and the people she loved, but there is absolutely no mention of French Silk Pie.² No hints. No baking references. Nothing that prepares you for what is carved onto the back of her headstone.

On the back of her tombstone is a full French Silk Pie recipe, engraved into the stone as though it was always meant to be shared and passed around.

Sharon’s French Silk Pie gravestone recipe. Photo by Jill Petracek.

Here is the recipe exactly as it appears on the stone :

Sharon’s French Silk Pie

1 Stick butter
3/4 C. Sugar
2 Squares Choc.
- Unsweetened. Melted. Cooled
1 Tsp. Vanilla
2 Eggs

Cream Butter. Add sugar gradually. Cream well. Blend in choc. and vanilla. Add eggs 1 at a time. Beat 5 min after each egg.

Crust

2 Cups flour
1 Cup chopped pecans
1 Tsp. Vanilla
2 Sticks butter (1 cup)

Melt butter. Add 1st 3 ingredients. Press into pie plate. Bake at 400 degrees until brown.

In the Kitchen

This recipe has a surprisingly small ingredient list, so pulling everything together was pretty easy.

The raw eggs were the first thing that piqued my interest. I had to look into that a little bit. Traditional French Silk Pie recipes often relied on them for that smooth, rich texture, but modern versions usually recommend pasteurized eggs or other safer methods while still aiming for that same silky finish.³

I was not able to find pasteurized eggs at my local grocery store, so I decided to live dangerously and use regular eggs.

I started with the crust first.

I mixed everything into a rough dough and pressed it into a pie plate. I have long acrylic nails, so this was a bit more difficult than I thought it would be. I ended up using my knuckles and the palm of my hand to flatten everything out and get it somewhat even.

The recipe doesn’t mention pie weights, but some of my research had suggested them. I don’t have any pie weights anyway, so instead I just poked holes in the crust with a fork and hoped for the best.

Into the oven it went for 15 minutes. After checking on it, I put it back in for another five. It probably could have baked a little longer, but I was scared of burning it and ruining the whole thing.

After 20 minutes total, I pulled it out and left it on a wire rack to cool while I started the filling.

The filling definitely took more effort. I followed the instructions exactly as written and used my hand mixer to save my wrists a bit, but beating each egg for five full minutes still felt like an upper-body workout.

As soon as I added the first egg, the texture noticeably changed and became lighter and fluffier. It actually reminded me a bit of making meringue. I kept scraping down the sides of the bowl while mixing to make sure everything blended properly.

Once it looked smooth enough, I spread the filling into the crust with a spatula and hoped for the best.

The crust was buttery and flaky, and the filling was rich with that smooth, silky texture French Silk Pie is known for. And so far, no ill effects from the raw eggs, which feels like a win.

Trying it once felt worth the risk for the experience, though I think I would want pasteurized eggs before tempting fate a second time.

It’s funny how a recipe like this can also reflect how cooking habits and food safety awareness have changed over time, while still hanging onto the comfort and nostalgia of a classic dessert.

At the end of the day, this whole story comes back to something pretty simple: pie.

It is the kind of dessert that probably showed up at family gatherings, holidays, and kitchen tables for years. The kind people went back for seconds, even when they claimed they were full.

Seeing a recipe like this engraved on a gravestone adds a completely different layer to that idea. It turns a dessert into part of someone’s legacy, which is kind of amazing.

And somewhere out there, Sharon’s pie recipe is still being made.

Thanks for reading!

References:

Friends Cemetery | Find a Grave
Sharon Kay Edwards (obituary) | The Joplin Globe
Chocolate French Silk Pie | Barley and Sage

Rethinking Gravestone Rubbings

Posted on April 26, 2026April 23, 2026 Posted in GeneralTagged Cemetery, Cemetery Blog, Cemetery Blogger, Cemetery Photography, Gravestone, Gravestone Rubbings, Preservation, Taphophile1 Comment

If you have ever wandered through a cemetery with me, you already know I tend to slow right down. I look at everything. The lettering, the symbols, the little details that most people walk right past. It’s one part curiosity, and one part appreciation.

Gravestone rubbing is one of those things I have heard about for years but never actually tried, and after looking into it more, I don’t think I will. It always sounded kind of fun in theory. A little bit of history, a little bit of art. But once I started digging into it, I realized it might not be as harmless as it seems.

Gravestone rubbing is the process of placing paper over a headstone and gently rubbing it with charcoal, crayon, or graphite to capture the inscription and design underneath.¹ The raised lettering and carvings transfer onto the paper, and the results can be surprisingly detailed.

The practice has been around for a long time and really took off in the 19th and 20th centuries as a way to record older or hard-to-read stones.² It was especially popular with historians and genealogists trying to preserve inscriptions before they faded away.

One of the most well-known examples comes from Daniel and Jessie Lie Farber.³ Over several decades, they created thousands of gravestone rubbings between 1938 and 1969, documenting early American gravestone art in incredible detail. The Farber Gravestone Collection is still referenced today, and even without seeing the stones in person, you can get a real sense of how intricate and expressive these carvings can be. Some of the rubbings feel almost like artwork on their own, capturing not just names and dates, but patterns and symbolism that would otherwise be easy to miss.

Know Better, Do Better

This is where things get a little tricky.

Even though gravestone rubbing was once seen as helpful, it’s now widely frowned upon.

The biggest reason is pretty simple: it can cause damage.

Even a gentle rubbing puts pressure on the surface of a stone. Many older stones, especially ones made of slate, sandstone, or marble, are already fragile after years of weather exposure.⁴ When you add repeated rubbing into the mix, it can lead to flaking, cracking, or losing those fine details altogether.

A really good example of this is the Bean Puzzle Tombstone. It’s a unique and popular stone that has had a lot of hands on it over the years, including people doing rubbings.⁵ You can actually see how all that attention has added up over time.

Because of concerns like this, gravestone rubbing is now illegal in some U.S. states and restricted in others.⁶ In Canada, it’s not outright illegal, but many cemeteries have their own rules against it or require permission first.

Groups like Cemetery Conservators for United Standards have also spoken out about it.⁷ Their focus is on protecting these stones for the long term, which usually means limiting physical contact as much as possible.

Alternatives

The good news is you don’t have to miss out on those details.

One method I always find kind of clever is the mirror method. You use a mirror to reflect sunlight across the surface of the stone at an angle, which helps bring out the lettering and carvings.⁷ It’s simple, but it works. If you don’t have a mirror handy, even a flashlight can do the trick.

And of course, there is photography.

This is my go-to. You can capture everything you need without ever touching the stone. Changing your angle or adjusting the lighting can reveal details you might not have noticed at first glance.

The more I learn about cemetery practices, the more I realize how much things change over time. What once seemed like a good idea does not always hold up, especially when preservation is involved.

As much as I love the idea of gravestone rubbings, it’s not something I see myself trying.

For me, it always comes back to that same mindset I bring into every visit: respect the space and leave it as you found it. Do no harm.

There are so many ways to document and share these stories without causing damage. Sometimes all it takes is a little patience and a different way of looking at things.

Thanks for reading!

References:

How To Do A Proper Monument Rubbing | Summit Memorials
Headstone Rubbing: Can It Preserve History? | Legacy Headstones
About | The Farber Gravestone Collection
Gravestone Rubbings | Connecticut Gravestone Network
Bean Puzzle Tombstone | Atlas Obscura
Grave Rubbings: Etiquette, Permission, and Technique to Protect Historic Stones | Funeral.com
Reading Stones Basics | Cemetery Conservators for United Standards

Cemetery Photography by Chantal Larochelle

Tag: Gravestone

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Cemetery Recipes: Jono’s Jack Daniel’s Marinade

The Story Behind the Stone

Jono’s Jack Daniel’s Marinade

In the Kitchen

Cemetery Recipes: Sharon’s French Silk Pie

Sharon’s French Silk Pie

Crust

In the Kitchen

Rethinking Gravestone Rubbings

Know Better, Do Better

Alternatives