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Have you ever wandered through a cemetery and wondered about the meanings of the designs carved on old gravestones? Thousands of different religious and secular symbols and emblems have adorned tombstones through the ages, indicating attitudes towards death and the hereafter, membership in a fraternal or social organization, or an individual’s trade, occupation or even ethnic identity. While many of these tombstone symbols have fairly simple interpretations, it is not always easy to determine their meaning and significance. We were not present when these symbols were carved into the stone and can’t claim to know our ancestors’ intentions. They may have included a particular symbol for no other reason than because they thought it was pretty.

Meet at the Eichelberger Plaza at the main gates of the cemetery. Parking is available both inside and outside the gates. Please wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a water bottle if needed. Tours will launch rain or shine, except in the event of thunder or lightening.

Reservations are required to attend. Please click here to register for this tour or copy and paste this URL into your browser: bit.ly/WoodlandSymbols.