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This particularly beautiful tall arch is to be found in the central west end of Oak Grove and is a familiar symbol of passing through from one state to another- from earthly to celestial, from life to the hereafter.
There are smaller arches, gateways and doors to be found in Oak Grove, some found carved onto tabular monuments and others carved completely as the symbol itself. This one has an Egyptian inspiration- complete with canopic jar.
A popular epitaph
As you are now, so once was I.
As I am now, so you must be.
Prepare for death and follow me.”
The Young Widow 1877, exchanging the wedding gown for mourning
The Victorian preoccupation with death is reflected in the art of the period. Photographs, paintings, death portraits, steel engravings, lithographs, etchings, and other art forms embraced the most sentimental and heartrending portrayals of loss and bereavement.
These works by both amateurs and the great artists such as Landseer and the Pre-Raphaelites were displayed in the parlor or sometimes in the bedchamber as a perpetual reminder that death is always with us.
The Old Shepherd’s Chief Mourner by Landseer
Animals and children were especially popular as subjects to portray pathos and grieving.
The 1894 sketch above is called For Such is the Kingdom by Frank Bramley and illustrates the custom of little children dressed in white walking in procession in front of a small white coffin containing a young person. Often four young maidens, also dressed in white attire served as pall bearers for the departed child. The custom of children wearing white to funerals continued well into the twentieth century.
| (Do Not Stand At My Grave and Weep sung by Ben Crawley, with Boys Choir Libera, text below) |
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| Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints in snow, I am the sunlight and ripened grain. I am the gentle Autumn rain.Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. When you awake in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush Of quiet birds in circling flight. I am the soft stars that shine at night. Do not stand at my grave and weep. I am not there, I do not sleep. |
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One type of monument especially popular from the Civil War through 1900 is the white bronze or zinc monument. White bronze is a misnomer, for the monument is not made of bronze, but rather zinc or more rarely, iron. The final patina is whitish to pale blue to darker blue, and the great benefit of this type of monument is that the embossed metal panels and ornaments hold epitaphs and images in sharp relief for a very long time. They seem to take the weather, moss and lichen growth and acid rain exceptionally well. The only drawback is that attached elements, such as a top urn, can be easily snapped off, and seams, especially at the base, can separate. With the proper method of repair, however, this is not much of a problem, but trouble results when concrete is used as a filler. The zinc monument offers a good crisp image for monument rubbing using rice paper and soft heelball wax. For more information on zinc monuments, visit these two links below. Oak Grove has many beautiful examples of this monument type.
http://www.si.edu/mci/english/research/conservation/zinc_sculptures.html
http://www.tngenweb.org/darkside/white.html
Oak Grove is a non-denominational city cemetery. The majority of burials here could be classified as Protestant-affiliated. Saint Patrick’s cemetery in the north end of the city as well as several Roman Catholic church cemeteries within the city contain the remains of most of the city’s Catholic population. So it is not surprising that saints, angels and crosses are very few within the walls of Oak Grove. Tablet-shaped stones and obelisks are the favored shapes to be found, even among the stones from the 1855-1900.
The only figural madonna at Oak Grove
Granite, marble and the very durable metallic monuments compose the majority of markers. The great beauty of Oak Grove lies in the landscaping of the grounds and the intricate carvings and symbolism on many of the older stones. Although there are sections of contemporary, fairly nondescript markers in the northeast end, the great majority of grave markers in this cemetery are from the golden age of monument carving when hand tools were used and artistry and pride of workmanship were the key elements of the craft. The Fall River area was famous for granite, especially pink granite, and this ready resource is much-evident in use. The slide presentation above contains many of the symbols associated with fraternal orders and particular Victorian sentiments and virtues.
Anchor- Steadfastness, Hope, a maritime career
Bellflower-Constancy and gratitude
Calla lily- Majesty, Beauty, Marriage
Daisy- Innocence, grave of young child, the “day’s eye”
Fern- Frankness, Humility, Sincerity
Laurel (wreath) Victory, Immortality, Eternity
Lily of the Valley- Innocence, Purity, one of the first Spring flowers
Lyre- References a harp, heaven, angelic music, occasionally used on the grave of a poet.
Madonna Lily- Purity
Rose- Univeral symbol of Love, queen of flowers, used most often on graves of women
Wheat or wheat sheaf- Long life, the reaping of years, productive and abundant
Oak leaves- Strength, Endurance, Faith and Virtue
Open Book- Book of Life, List of St. Peter, life of the deceased as an open book, a pure life
Tree or log stones- These could be ordered from Sears and Roebuck catalogue, and were used for the Woodsmen fraternity as well as carpenters, builders, lumbermen, or to suggest by their height as short life cut off in its prime, head of the family, and occasionally contains a nest with birds suggesting children of the deceased.
Dove- Most popular animal seen in cemeteries, symbolizes Peace, Holy Spirit
Hands Clasping- An earthly farewell, a heavenly welcome or matrimony
Curtain, Drapery, Veil- Passing from one existence to another, an ending
Hourglass- Fleeting Time, Tempus Fugit, inevitability of earthly Death
Door, arch, gateway- Passing from one existence to the next
Ship- Seafaring life, a journey, or symbol for the Chirch universal with the mast as the cross
Torch- Upside down position has the meaning of extinguished life.
Pine Tree- Evergreen, Eternal
Victorians liked keepsakes of all kinds. The idea of some sort of printed memorial which could be tucked into family Bibles, placed on mantels in the parlor, and kept for the future generations found great favor in the nineteenth century. The custom of funeral cards is still observed today although the size and intricacy of the funeral card has changed. Today we often find the 23rd Psalm, the Lord’s Prayer, or a contemporary poem along with the deceased’s dates, name and age. The Victorian and early twentieth century cards were on very heavy stock and featured the symbolism Victorians understood, such as the opening gate, cross and crown, dove of the spirit, laurel wreath etc. Suitable mourning poetry was nearly always included below the name and dates of the departed Loved One. Early cards were generally in either black or white with gold or silver lettering. (Examples from the blogger’s collection).
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