Some people avoid cemeteries because graves remind them of death. Personally, I find cemeteries peaceful and contemplative. In Newfoundland in particular, where I spend a part of each year, they exude a very calming atmosphere. Maybe it has to do with the fact that they are not sterile and often located in interesting or picturesque places. Here are some cemeteries that I came across in different locations:
I walked on a trail through a forest in the community of River of Ponds and came out onto a beautiful beach where I found this old graveyard. Maybe generations ago, people reached it by boat. (Some cemeteries in Newfoundland are situated on islands.) I like the fact that these graves are left in peace, to wither away in the course of time. An enchanting place.
This is one of the cemeteries in St. Anthony on the northern tip of Newfoundland. It is overlooking the bay, and to me it feels like the dead can still somehow participate in village life and see the fishing boats go out and come in. There are walking trails nearby that lead to the cliffs where you can look out onto the North Atlantic. A nice spot to come to.
In this cemetery in the tiny settlement of Croque, French soldiers and fishermen are buried. They came hundreds of years ago to Newfoundland in order to secure a vital food source for their home country France: the cod. I drove 30 kilometers on a dirt road to get to Croque, a hamlet where still some people live. But more and more inhabitants are moving away. The glory days of the cod are over, unfortunately.
Wouldn’t this photo make a nice cover for a mystery book? This small cemetery in the village of St. Lawrence surprised me with its pretty fence that protects the tombstones. The crippled tree hangs over them like a mother that bends down to a crib. I know I’m going a bit overboard with my comparison but I just love this jewel of a graveyard. I have more pictures of other cemeteries but I don’t want to go to extremes. I just think, as an author of crime fiction, I should respect death and the dead. It is part of life.
