Graveyards are spooky, some people say. I beg to differ. Cemeteries are built to remember lives. They help us connect to the past. In other words, if you take a walk in a graveyard, you’ll discover life through death. You’ll find stories that live on because you’re there listening to them. Join me on a journey exploring historic cemeteries such as the one in Banff, Alberta.
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What’s the Draw for Historic Cemeteries?
We had a couple of close friends over for dinner one night recently. Somehow the subject came around to visiting historic graveyards. Brad commented that I always have to stop and visit historic cemeteries whenever we find one in our travels. One of our dinner friends actually grimaced. He found the idea quite morbid. As a result, he could never see himself doing it… unless… maybe… if it was a military graveyard. I tried to explain why I almost always visit historic cemeteries when we come across one.
But I’m not sure I got through.
Links to the Past
I have always looked at cemeteries as final places of rest, not death. Pain and anguish are gone. Now there is time for solace. Graveyards aren’t spooky or depressing. For me, they are a space for quiet contemplation and reflection. Firstly, many cemeteries are quiet gardens full of peace. Secondly, wildlife abounds in many historic cemeteries. And finally, these are storied places. Cemeteries are closely associated with local history and culture and provide tangible – if fragile – links to the past.
Wandering through these hallowed spaces helps keep the spirit and stories alive. Historian and genealogists find information in graveyards. Photos of markers and gravestones help confirm dates of birth and death. These are places worth exploring, protecting and even promoting.
Is There a Difference Between a Graveyard and a Cemetery?
The main difference between a graveyard and a cemetery is that one is historically associated with a church and the other is not. Graveyards are traditionally run by churches. Cemeteries are not found on church grounds and are not generally associated with any particular church. These lines are often blurred and the terms used interchangeably.
Old Banff Cemetery
One day not long after our dinner, I came across this writeup:
“Come explore the Old Banff Cemetery during an hour-long, military-themed cemetery tour that touches on stories of the hardship and heroism of citizens and soldiers. This tour is offered in partnership with the Whyte Museum of the Canadian Rockies and Zephyr Heritage Tours. The tour begins at Old Banff Cemetery at the gates at 604 Buffalo Street… ”
Travel to Banff for a history tour? A military-themed tour in an historic cemetery? My friends from dinner would be coming along whether they wanted to or not!
Remembering the Past
We stood outside the cemetery gates as the small group gathered around our guide, Stephanie. Light puffs of wind took temperatures down a notch or two. Zipping up coats and adjusting gloves and face masks, we sought out bands of sunshine. We stood quietly in our small, physically-distanced subgroups.
The next hour flew by as we learned about the Adelia Woodworth’s burial in 1890 – the first in the cemetery. Before long we were diving into the military stories found within the Old Banff Cemetery. We started with Peter Whyte’s military service and ended with the Military Field of Honour.
I watched my friends and saw how they quickly became wrapped up in the stories Stephanie shared. Numbers and fact are repeated softly in amazement. Dates on gravestones are noted with nods. I hear a whispered “wow.” Quiet comments are made about the bronze plaques with images of climbers. The use of native rock for building the mausolea and the 1933 tool shed built near the Military Field of Honour are noted.
We walk in momentary silence, each deep in their own thoughts. And then my friend asks for a photo of himself beside the gravestone of a member of the Canadian Cyclists Battalion. There is a connection between the army private and the modern-day cyclist.
I think I got through.
When You Visit Historic Cemeteries
There are a few guidelines to follow when exploring historic cemeteries:
- Be respectful. Keep voices down and avoid walking directly over graves.
- Obey any posted rules – especially regarding pets. Dogs do not belong in graveyards.
- Avoid damaging gravestones. Take photos but avoid rubbing or putting anything on the stones themselves.
- Use caution. Historic cemeteries often have walking hazards.
Want to Learn More About Historic Cemeteries?
The Old Banff Cemetery became a Municipal Historic Site in 2016. There are over 500 cemeteries and burial grounds designated as either municipal, provincial or national heritage resource in Canada.
Look here for a list of the Provincial Register of Historic places. It includes the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church of St. Mary (Szypenitz Church) and its adjacent cemetery. This is one of the best-preserved older cemeteries in east central Alberta. The Old Hillcrest Cemetery in the Crowsnest Pass is a nationally-recognized heritage site.
Virtual cemetery tours are another possibility for learning about the past. Check out this one of Calgary’s Union Cemetery as an example:
You can also read through posts highlighting historic cemeteries we’ve explored:
Nelson, BC Historic Walking Tour
Barkerville, BC – A Grave History
Ireland’s Brú na Bóinne (A prehistoric cemetery!)
Be sure to check out this post for creating your own self-guided tours!
I never knew that there was a slight difference between the terms graveyard and cemetery! I always thought they were the same word coming from different language families, which technically is correct, but didn’t know about the church connotation 🙂 I am glad I learnt something new today.
I’m always happy when people learn something they didn’t know before as a result of reading one of our posts!
I enjoyed this article on cemetaries and graveyards. Very informative and well done. I have explored several cemetaries in each of the USA, Canada, and Norway to discover ancestors. You’re right, they aren’t spooky; instead they are cause for a ‘treasure’ hunt.
A ‘treasure’ hunt – for sure!
I’ve been to a few historic cemeteries and I always get a little scared. Looks like you have fun though!
If you can find the stories, the spookiness disappears.
I only recently learned the difference between a cemetery and a graveyard, but these are always interesting to visit — there’s so much to learn from them!
I’m not a big fan of cemeteries as they can be very spooky, but it was interesting reading your blog! 😉
Everyone has their own comfort level, but in my mind the stories outshine the spookiness factor.