Things To Do on Visit a Cemetery Day

When is Visit a Cemetery Day?

The Visit a Cemetery Day dates for the next five years are:

• October 27, 2024
• October 26, 2025
• October 25, 2026
• October 31, 2027
• October 29, 2028

Some mistakenly believe that Visit a Cemetery Day is scheduled at the end of October to coincide with Halloween. However, the timing alignment with Halloween is only a coincidence. The scheduling is more about embracing the changing seasons as fall settles in—it’s the perfect opportunity to connect with your roots, remember your ancestors and reflect as you start to slow down and go inward during the cooler months.

Whether you're paying respect to those you loved, working through grief or simply exploring the art and history of these serene spaces, Visit a Cemetery Day invites you to reflect on the cherished memories of your loved ones in the tranquility of their final resting places and take in the beauty and peace that can be found in cemeteries.

Things to do on Visit a Cemetery Day

What one does on this day may vary from person to person and family to family. You might use this day to start or uphold traditions that bring comfort and peace to you, whatever that may look like. This is especially important when mourning the loss of someone who has recently passed.

Here are a few ideas for your visit:

1. Go to the burial places of those you loved.

This designated day is a special time to visit a cemetery and remember family members or friends who have died.

You might leave some flowers at their grave, replace a trinket that weather has damaged or add something new as a token of your visit. Whatever path you take, you’ll join many other families participating in the day who are commemorating and honoring their own loved ones.

2. Have a picnic.

Picnics in cemeteries were common in the 19th century as a way to connect with loved ones in beautiful outdoor spaces. If the cemetery you plan to visit allows it, picnicking may be a nice activity for Visit a Cemetery Day.

A picnic at a loved one’s gravesite may help you feel close to them, especially if you bring some of their favorite foods or make family recipes. Some cemeteries may also have picnic tables available on their grounds for eating in the peaceful atmosphere they provide.

Before having a picnic in a cemetery, double-check with the cemetery manager or read the cemetery’s rules to make sure it’s OK. Some cemeteries may not allow picnicking or outside food on their grounds.

3. Do a gravesite cleanup.

Cemetery caretakers usually do a lovely job of caring for the grounds, but they aren’t always able to provide the level of detail you desire. You and your family may wish to spend the day pulling weeds or clipping unwanted grasses from the area around a loved one’s gravestone.

Brush away unwanted dirt or leaves and add some fresh flowers, if permitted by the cemetery. If you don’t have a green thumb, you can also arrange to have silk-blend Cemetery Flowers placed on the grave throughout the year.

You may find comfort in taking a few moments to wander the grounds, identifying an older stone that hasn’t received the same love and care, and giving that stone some TLC, too. By paying it forward in this way, you help to recognize someone else who made a mark on this world, ensuring they are never truly forgotten.

4. Take in the art, nature, history and beauty of the cemetery.

Though some may mourn loss, others may participate in Visit a Cemetery Day to respect the history and tradition of cemeteries. Some things you may choose to do to honor and appreciate cemeteries:

• You could simply enjoy the cemetery’s flora and design. Many cemeteries have stunning architecture, intricate gravestones and beautifully landscaped grounds. It's a perfect opportunity for photography enthusiasts or anyone who appreciates artistry and well-maintained green spaces and gardens.
• If you’re an artist, it’s a wonderful place to sketch, paint or write. Cemeteries can be an inspiring setting for creative expression, and art can be a powerful tool for working through grief.
• You could take in the love and history demonstrated in epitaphs. The words on headstones and monuments are much more than simply names and dates. They're poetry about lives lived. Take a few minutes to stroll around the cemetery; you might be surprised by the stories you find and the way they inspire and offer guidance.
• Many people are drawn to prayer and meditation at the cemetery. As cemeteries are serene spaces for meditation, you might find that it’s a place where you can truly reflect on cherished memories you shared with those who have passed.

Visit a Cemetery Day history

The custom of visiting cemeteries predates modern culture. Cemeteries are far more than mere plots with gravestones; they are hallowed grounds where deep contemplation and connection thrive.

Though the exact history of Visit a Cemetery Day is unknown. We do know that it takes place near cultural observations like the Hispanic tradition of Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) and the Chinese tradition of Chung Yeung. Both give families an occasion to honor their ancestors.

Likewise, Visit a Cemetery Day is a poignant reminder of our enduring ties to those who came before us.

Facts about Visit a Cemetery Day

Visit a Cemetery Day, while meaningful, isn't a widely recognized holiday. In fact, many people aren't even aware that it exists. Yet the day remains a beautiful opportunity to reflect.

• Visit a Cemetery Day was established to encourage people to connect with their past and honor the memories of those who have passed away. It’s a day dedicated to reflection and remembrance.
• This observance falls on the last Sunday of October each year. It provides an annual opportunity for individuals to visit cemeteries, pay their respects to those they cherished, and appreciate the historical and cultural significance of these final resting places.
• Visit a Cemetery Day is a time to celebrate the lives of those who have left a lasting impact. It reminds us that the memories of our departed family members or friends continue to influence and enrich our lives.

FAQ about cemetery visits