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It’s Not THAT Scary: A Cemetery is a Great Place to Visit

Looking for an unexpected, thrilling place to explore during your next family vacation, consider adding a visit to a cemetery to your itinerary.

Bet you never thought of visiting to a cemetery did you?

Cemeteries are full of memorable markers and massive monuments and tell a city’s rich history in a way unlike any other.

During a recent visit to Memorial Park Cemetery in Memphis, while searching for the grave of Isaac Hayes, we met Norris Gray, Community Service Counselor. Norris directed us to Hayes' grave saying it was directly across from the grotto.

Isaac Hayes' Burial Site
After snapping a few pics, Norris shared a brief history of Memorial Park and pointed out some notable gravesites including that of famed pastor Bishop G.E. Patterson and various leaders of the COGIC church; Sam Phillips, the record producer said to have discovered Elvis Presley; Blues’ singer Bobby “Blue” Bland; and Grammy award winning Gospel artist O’Landa Draper among others.
Memorial Park Cemetery
Norris shared the rich history of Memorial Park Funeral Home telling us local schools, tour groups and others visit the grounds for sightseeing and have lunch on the grounds.  Norris said others often commented how they found the cemetery to be a place of solace and I couldn’t agree more.
Memorial Park Cemetery
Norris led us to a grotto, directly across from Isaac Hayes burial site, saying the Crystal Shrine Grotto is on the National Register of Historic Places. The grotto was built in the 1930s by artist Dionicio Rodriguez. A lifelike concrete structure of an oak tree sits near the grotto entrance.
Memorial Park Cemetery
Once inside, visitors are enveloped in a forest of rock quartz and semiprecious stones as you walk alongside scenes depicting the birth, life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Crystal Shrine Grotto is a site to behold and a great place to stop and take pics.

Be sure to look for Norris if you ever visit Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery and be sure to tell him Tomi from Three Boys and an Old Lady says “Hi”.

Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery are located at 5668 Poplar Avenue in Memphis, TN. Call 501.767.8930 for more info or visit www.memorialparkonline.com for more info.

Comments

Danik said…
Not a fan of visiting cemeteries as they are a place of peace, a place to let the died rest. I know they can be interesting to see the different locations, headstones etc, but it ain't my thing.
June 3, 2017 at 10:58 AM
Shannon said…
=My grandparents had a funeral home business so I grew up around dead bodies and going to cemeteries. I agree, they are cool places to visit & you can definitely find some history there.
June 3, 2017 at 2:21 PM
Gwendolyn M. said…
I have never found cemeteries to be scary and love the history that is inside. It is fun to see all the old tombstones and look at the history of the places.
June 3, 2017 at 10:55 PM
Maurene Cab said…
When I was a child, I don’t like cemetery, but now, I love going there because of its rich history.
June 4, 2017 at 7:25 AM
Pam said…
You can really learn a lot about history by visiting cemeteries. We have several very historic ones near our house.
June 4, 2017 at 5:54 PM
Karissa@Withourbest said…
I used to live by a very old cemetery. I have been fascinated by them ever since. They really are pretty and every one of them is unique!
June 5, 2017 at 12:42 AM
Unknown said…
I love visiting my uncle and my grandma in the cemetery. And have some picnic in their and tell some stories as if you are already with your loved one again.
June 5, 2017 at 1:32 AM
Rebecca Swenor said…
Memorial Park Funeral Home and Cemetery I believe would be two places to see when in Memphis. Cemeteries have always interested me because they are a place of peace. Thanks for sharing your awesome experience.
June 5, 2017 at 6:00 AM
Anonymous said…
We recently visited a cemetery in Vermont that is full of artwork. No joke, all of the stones are made by stone artists who created their own grave stones (most of the deceased either designed or created their own) and it's all made out of Granite! Was super cool. I love the history at cemetery's too, you learn so much!
June 5, 2017 at 7:40 AM
Wendy Polisi said…
I also love visiting cemeteries. It's amazing what historical information and stories you can get from a cemetery.
June 5, 2017 at 1:21 PM
David Elliott said…
I'm not sure that I love cemeteries, but I do love all of the history they have there. They are especially cool when they go back centuries and they seem to tell a story all their own.
June 5, 2017 at 2:30 PM
Stacy Tilton said…
I never really thought about it from this perspective. Thank you for sharing the idea it would be a great way to teach the kids some history in person vs. in a book.
June 5, 2017 at 5:55 PM
Jenny said…
This is interesting. You can learn a lot of history from visiting a cemetery but I still think I would be freaked out.
June 5, 2017 at 7:09 PM
Cosmetic Sanctuary said…
I've actually never been scared in a cemetery. My son has never been to one though and I think this would be good to talk about with him
June 5, 2017 at 9:40 PM
Ankit Sethi said…
Really looking ultimate post.good experience thanks for sharing the article. please sharemysterious stories.
April 24, 2019 at 4:19 AM
alex said…
This is fascinating. You can pick up such a large amount of history from visiting a cemetery anyway I in spite of everything figure I would be blown a gasket. Digital Marketing Agency
March 10, 2020 at 6:56 AM
BMSAS Technologies said…
Yes i am totally agreed with this article and i just want say that this article is very nice and very informative article. I will make sure to be reading your blog more. Software Development Company
December 18, 2020 at 7:40 AM
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