
Be considerate and don’t create extra work for the grounds crew. You see, someone, at some point, eventually has to mow the grass. Don’t put up solar lights and those little plastic fences and…. Related: 13 Questions to Ask When Choosing a Cemetery 8. If they don’t spot the broken item right away, kids might pick it up and cut themselves or it could harm animals or someone stumbling. And someone (cough, cough… a grounds crew employee… cough…) will have to clean it up. Maybe not right away, if you are careful in setting it up, but they will break eventually. Don’t leave glass, ceramic, or other breakable items on the grave Plan on avoiding contact and conversation, but be ready to be friendly if they appear to be ready and willing to engage. Try your best to avoid breaking their reverie, or alone time, or ritual of talking to their loved one, or prayers, or whatever they are doing. The people you see in the cemetery will often be grieving. You can nod and smile, and if it’s clear that this other person is friendly and wants to talk then by all means say hi and have a discussion.īut have your default etiquette in place ahead of time. Don’t talk to other cemetery visitors – even to say hello If you’re planning on being there a long time, bring a little travel chair. Don’t sit or lean on the headstones, grave markers, or other memorials But avoid simply walking, willy-nilly, all over the graves. You can get close, especially when trying to read a headstone. One common ritual is to avoid walking on top of the graves where people are actually buried. Cemeteries, after all, are one of the ways we remain civilized – by showing proper care and respect for the dead. When you’re at the cemetery, it’s important to be respectful to the remains of the deceased.

It’s important for them to get a grasp of history, and they’ll ask all sorts of questions that will help them understand the reality of death, but without fear. If your kids can be respectful, then by all means bring them along. Visiting a cemetery is a great way to also teach them about respect for the dead and those who are mourning. Go about 10 miles per hour, and even slower if you see a funeral service or gathering nearby. Sometimes there is a posted speed limit often not. If you’re driving into a cemetery (and some are huuuge), drive carefully. Don’t speed through the cemetery driveways Be respectful to the deceased and also to the employees, and schedule your visit within posted hours. They’ll typically close the gates when hours are over. Don’t go after hoursĬemeteries have hours posted for a reason. We sometimes earn a commission when you click through the affiliate links on our website. If you’re planning on visiting a cemetery – whether to pay respects to a loved one, or because you’re simply drawn to cemeteries – there is some basic etiquette you should follow.
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You can download a full set of our rules here.In this article, we are going to cover 10 things not to do in a cemetery. For further information, please contact the office in advance of your visit.


There is a disabled toilet in the West Cemetery. A small amount of disabled parking is available outside the cemetery’s entrance on Swain’s Lane. The East cemetery is on a gentler slope with no steps and predominantly tarmac paths and is more easily wheelchair accessible. Visitors to the West cemetery should be aware that the paths are steep, and the tour route also includes two flights of stairs. No animals are permitted with the exception of assistance dogs. We don't allow the cemetery to be used as a backdrop for unrelated subjects such as fashion shoots. Still photography of graves is allowed for personal use only. Only Highgate Cemetery guides are permitted to conduct tours of the Cemetery. The cemetery can get muddy underfoot, so do wear sensible shoes. Volunteering 020 8347 2474 You should know. Email find out whether someone is buried here, go to Searches Telephone enquiriesīurials, memorials, grave ownership 020 8347 2471įilming or photography requests 020 8347 2472
