Comments on: Leaving Pebbles or Stones on a Grave Marker http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/ Exploring the meaning of cemetery symbols and other graveyard mysteries. For genealogy sleuths, taphophiles and goth kids. Tue, 02 Apr 2013 21:25:27 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.com/ By: Laura http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8883 Fri, 15 Mar 2013 01:39:39 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8883 What custom is it to leave sea shells on a babies grave?

]]> By: Debi, Md http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8763 Tue, 11 Sep 2012 00:26:46 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8763 I too was curious as to why stones were left on so many headstones and niche plates at Arlington National Cemetary where my father and father-in-law are laid to rest. This past weekend I placed two stones on my fathers niche plate in rememberance of my dad who served his country and loved his family unconditionally.

]]> By: Mrs. M Sharp http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8756 Fri, 31 Aug 2012 05:24:31 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8756 Thank you for all this information. I was in Israel last April & while standing on a hill overlooking the Temple Mount & the Jewish Cemetery, our guide explained to us the meaning of these pebbles. Am thinking of doing the same thing when I visit my husband’s grave again.

]]> By: Lisa http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8718 Mon, 23 Jul 2012 23:32:36 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8718 I was curious of this tradition after recently visiting Arlington Cemetary. I also seen Lisa Kudrow doing it on the programme ‘who do you think you are’. This is most definitely a tradition that I would like to start and pass on to my family. I feel Its a lovely subtle sentiment that everyone can do no matter their religion, their up bringing or even how much money they have. Its beautiful!

]]> By: Sandy http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8716 Tue, 17 Jul 2012 16:54:51 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8716 I’m a little slow to reply :-) but I think it is a great idea….like the tree that LDS uses or something

]]> By: Larry Meehan http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8700 Mon, 02 Jul 2012 21:50:25 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8700 The visit to both relatives gravestones and those important in one’s spiritual and cultural life,with a small stone is a multicultural tradition in New England.
Visitors to Boston and Cambridge will find small stones in cemeteries on every culture as well as on the gravestones of people like Paul Revere, Sam Adams, Emerson, Longfellow, as well as landmarks in Boston such as the Holocaust Memorial, the Hungarian Revolution Memorial, the Tianiman Square Memorial and others that are outdoors and feature an permanent stone memorial that stones can be placed.
By the way I was told by a Jewish historically astute friend (confirmed by a Christian like-educated friend) that the idea is to bring a pebble/stone from your home, as this adds to the significance of the visit.

An incredible and moving tradition.

Larry in Boston
July 2012

]]> By: Andrea http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8637 Wed, 06 Jun 2012 19:39:30 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8637 Thank you to this site for all the explainations…My husband passed away 3 1/2 years ago and lately there have been stones placed onto of his headstone. Now I know why.

]]> By: Melissa http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8631 Thu, 31 May 2012 21:54:22 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8631 Thank you so much for this! My friends and I visited the Bonaventure Cemetery in Savannah today and this question came to mind when we passed through the Jewish section!

]]> By: TheIndependenceParty (@TerraMarQue) http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8625 Tue, 29 May 2012 04:14:30 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8625 That is lovely information, Joan. Thank you. My wife’s family on her mother’s side were Jewish, and came to America from Hungary/Romania late in the 19th Century. I know she does not even know of this tradition, but she and I have laid pebbles and seashells on our daughter’s gravestone since she died ten years ago. We bring them from whatever travels we have had, to share with her, our daughter, that she was always there in our hearts.

]]> By: Joan K http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8624 Tue, 29 May 2012 03:11:00 +0000 http://cemeteries.wordpress.com/2006/09/26/leaving-pebbles-or-stones-on-a-grave-marker/#comment-8624 I visit the graves of my relatives before Rosh Hashahah every year. I leave an engraved remembrance stone at each grave. I like to date the stone and write a few words with my name on the reverse side. Although this is primarily a Jewish custom, I believe people practicing other religions and of European ancestory have followed it for a long time.

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