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graveyardgirly.bsky.social
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@graveyardgirly.bsky.social
620 followers 930 following 470 posts
I walk amongst the stones not to mourn,but to witness love that has nowhere to go but back to the earth.

All photos in media are my own.
Alt text friendly.
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Crows truly are gorgeous aren’t they.
November 6, 2025 at 5:49 PM
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Lunch with Crowley 🐦‍⬛
November 6, 2025 at 2:52 PM
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Brought Crowley some scraps from last nights dinner (Roast chicken.
he was so cute today
My crow friend Crowley on the bench
November 5, 2025 at 1:41 PM
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St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, London, Uk.
A weathered stone memorial in St Mary’s Cemetery, Kensal Green. The monument features a sculpture of an angel kneeling in prayer, her head bowed and wings folded gently behind her. She holds a small bouquet of flowers in her hands. The angel is framed by two carved stone pillars supporting a triangular pediment engraved with the name GANDOLFI. Beneath the angel, a dark marble plaque bears an oval ceramic portrait of a man, now faded with time. The surrounding graves and greenery, along with a cloudy sky, lend a peaceful atmosphere to the scene.
November 2, 2025 at 9:33 PM
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Day 31: Momento Mori

Happy Halloween 🎃

#31daysofgraves
November 1, 2025 at 1:13 AM
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Day 30: Colour

I am a huge green moss and blue patina enjoyer.

York cemetery, North Yorkshire, UK.

#31daysofgraves
A cluster of Victorian gravestones in York Cemetery, in different colours surrounded by bare trees and a carpet of damp leaves. In the foreground stands a moss-covered headstone in a pale green, and the other white stone headstone has moss on the edges that almost looks neon. Other older, darker gravestones fill the background, giving the scene a quiet, reflective atmosphere typical of historic English cemeteries. A weathered 19th-century gravestone in York Cemetery, made of stone with a green-blue patina and ornate Gothic detailing at the top. The monument bears multiple inscriptions, divided by a central stone ridge. The stone stands among many other old gravestones, with fallen leaves on the ground and bare trees behind, a peaceful, autumn scene.
October 30, 2025 at 10:07 PM
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Day 29: Occupation

Joseph Bonomi (1796–1878) sculptor, traveller, and pioneer Egyptologist.

#31daysofgraves
A tall, upright sandstone monument with a gently rounded top, standing in a quiet path of Brompton cemetery. Across the upper region is the Christogram “☧” (Chi-Rho) flanked by the Greek letters Alpha and Omega. Beneath, in shallow-relief capital letters, the inscription reads: IN MEMORY OF FOUR CHILDREN WHO WERE CALLED OUT OF THIS LIFE INTO A BETTER IN THE EASTER WEEK OF 1852: JOSEPH MENES BORN JUNE 5TH 1846 DIED APRIL 25TH 1852 CAUTLEY FREDERICK BORN NOVR. 6TH 1847 DIED APRIL 25TH 1852 JESSIE BORN JULY 22ND 1849 DIED APRIL 25TH 1852 JOHN IGNATIUS BORN SEPT. 12TH 1851 DIED APRIL 25TH 1852 ALSO THEIR GRANDMOTHER SUSAN WIDOW OF JOHN MARTIN DIED THE 26TH AUGUST 1858 ALSO THEIR MOTHER JESSIE DAUGHTER OF JOHN MARTIN DIED 10TH SEPTEMBER 1859 AGED 34 YEARS AND THEIR FATHER JOSEPH BONOMI SCULPTOR, TRAVELLER AND ARCHAEOLOGIST BORN 9TH OCTOBER 1796 APPOINTED CURATOR OF SIR JOHN SOANE’S MUSEUM 1861 DIED 3RD MARCH 1878 (At the base) IN LOVING MEMORY OF COLONEL J. I. BONOMI DIED 27TH MARCH 1930 Below the inscription is a carved square panel showing the Egyptian god Anubis (jackal-headed) seated on a stylised funerary tomb, signifying the deceased’s lifelong devotion to ancient Egypt. The monument combines the Christian symbolism at the top with the Egyptian iconography at its centre, reflecting Joseph Bonomi’s dual identity as both a Victorian Christian and a pioneering Egyptologist. After years of sketching temples along the Nile, he returned to London to help reshape how ancient Egypt was presented to Victorian audiences. He became Curator of the Sir John Soane’s Museum in 1861. His final resting place is in Brompton Cemetery, London. a modest curved headstone but rich in symbolism: Carved with a depiction of the jackal-headed god Anubis guarding a tomb, and surrounded by hieroglyphic touches that reflect his lifelong fascination with ancient Egypt.
October 29, 2025 at 5:00 PM
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Day 28: Column

Kensal Green Cemetery, London

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This image features an ornate tomb situated in Kensal Green cemetery of Mary Eleanor Gibson 1854 – 1872 . The structure is made of weathered stone and designed in a classical style, with fluted Corinthian columns supporting a detailed, decorated roof. Atop the roof are four large angel statues, each in dynamic poses, with one seemingly pointing or gesturing upward. The surrounding area shows overgrown vegetation and additional gravestones, suggesting an aged and atmospheric setting. The sky in the background is partly cloudy, adding contrast to the dark stone of the mausoleum
October 29, 2025 at 2:28 PM
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Day 27: Tree

York Cemetery, North Yorkshire, UK.

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A peculiar curved tree draped in moss and ivy surrounded by equally mossy grave stones. Standing in a grassy cemetery in York, the tree precariously arches forward, its trunk twisted naturally over them. The photo has other trees in the background, their branches bare of leaves against an early winter sky. The vast number of orderly gravestones in crowded rows are drenched by rain.
October 28, 2025 at 10:47 PM
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Day 26: Figure

James Starley, father of the British bicycle industry. A prominent figure indeed.

More in the alt text!

London Road Cemetery, Coventry, Uk.

#31daysofgraves
The grave of James Starley in London Road Cemetery, Coventry, marked by a tall stone obelisk on a square base with a carved portrait medallion. Surrounded by mature trees and older headstones, the monument commemorates the “father of the British bicycle industry,” inventor of the Ariel high-wheel bicycle and pioneer of the penny-farthing and tangent-spoked wheels, whose innovations helped make Coventry a centre of cycle engineering. His major innovations included: • Designing the bicycle model known as the Ariel (1871) which used wire-spoked wheels and a large front wheel.  • Patent and use of “tangent” spokes for wheels (improving strength & lightness).  • Inventing a form of differential gear for tricycles, which fed into later vehicle engineering.  • The high-wheel “ordinary” bicycle (commonly called the penny-farthing) is strongly associated with his name, though as with many inventions, he built upon earlier work.  • His nephew, John Kemp Starley, later developed the “safety bicycle” (equal-sized wheels, chain-drive) which became the blueprint of the modern bicycle. 
October 28, 2025 at 10:05 PM
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Day25: Graveside Ornament.

Not an ornament, exactly, but I don’t know what it is about little benches placed graveside. Big feelings when I see them.

Kensal Green cemetery, London, Uk.

#31daysofgraves
A weathered wooden bench at Kensal Green Cemetery with the word “DAD” cut into its backrest. The bench is partially broken and overgrown with green vines and tall grass, blending into the surrounding vegetation. Its peeling paint and worn wood reveal its age and quiet abandonment. Behind it stands an old stone tomb, mottled with time. The scene feels tender and melancholic, as if nature itself is gently reclaiming a place once meant for remembrance and love.
October 28, 2025 at 7:54 PM
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Day 24: Unique animal.

Highgate cemetery, London, UK.

#31daysofgraves
A weathered gravestone monument in Highgate Cemetery featuring a sculpted stone horse standing atop a tall rectangular pedestal. The statue is surrounded by autumn leaves carpeting the ground in deep red and orange tones. Behind the monument, large tree branches spread wide, the bark dark and wet from rain against the golden foliage. Old gravestones can be seen in the background.
October 28, 2025 at 7:44 PM
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Day 23: Cross

Brompton cemetery, London, Uk.
A weathered Celtic cross monument at Brompton Cemetery, intricately carved with interlacing knot patterns. The tall stone cross features a circular ring connecting its arms, symbolizing eternity. Behind it, ivy climbs a red brick wall, creating a lush green backdrop that contrasts with the aged stone.
October 28, 2025 at 7:37 PM
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Crowley came by for his autumn photoshoot! (And some of my lunch)
A close-up photograph of a glossy black crow perched on a metal railing. Behind the crow, autumn foliage fills the scene behind, a mix of golden, orange, and red leaves from tall trees and surrounding shrubs. Sunlight filters through the branches, highlighting the bird’s sleek feathers and intelligent gaze. The overall atmosphere feels peaceful and richly autumnal, with warm tones contrasting beautifully against the crow’s dark plumage
October 22, 2025 at 12:44 PM
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Day 22: Landscape*

*Technically portrait but, I digress. You can see the sea !

San Amaro Cemetery in A Coruña, Spain.

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Photograph taken at San Amaro Cemetery in A Coruña, Spain. The image shows a tall wrought-iron cross standing on a stone pedestal in the center of a wide pathway lined with tombs and mausoleums. The sky above is filled with textured clouds, with sunlight filtering through and casting a soft glow on the scene. The distant horizon and hints of the sea can be seen beyond the cemetery walls, adding a serene, contemplative mood to the composition.
October 22, 2025 at 12:36 PM
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Day 21: Bronze

St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green.

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Bronze mausoleum doors at St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green, aged to green patina, set in a granite façade with ornate carvings. Above the doors, a relief of the resurrected Christ surrounded by angels symbolizes eternal life. Flanking the doorway are the Chi-Rho and Alpha-Omega symbols, representing Christ and eternity
October 22, 2025 at 11:44 AM
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Day 20: Wreath

St Mary’s Catholic cemetery, Kensal Green, Uk.

#31daysofgraves
A weathered stone statue of an angel stands gracefully in St Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, Kensal Green. The angel has large, arched wings and a serene expression, gazing slightly downward. It holds a wreath delicately in its hands, the drapery of its robe flowing naturally over the pedestal. Surrounding the statue are aged gravestones and leaning crosses, with autumnal leaves covering the ground. Behind the angel, a small mausoleum with arched doors and more gravestones can be seen among tall trees tinged with orange and brown foliage, giving the scene a peaceful autumnal feel.
October 20, 2025 at 4:17 PM
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Day 19. Social Group.

Likely needs no introduction,

The grave of Karl Marx, Highgate cemetery, uk.

#31daysofgraves
Karl Marx’s grave lies in the East Cemetery of Highgate in London and is one of the most visited in the city. It’s marked by a large bronze bust of Marx’s head, mounted on a tall granite pedestal designed by sculptor Laurence Bradshaw and unveiled in 1956. Beneath the bust, engraved in gold letters, is the slogan “WORKERS OF ALL LANDS UNITE,” taken from The Communist Manifesto. Below his name and dates (1818–1883) is another inscription: “The philosophers have only interpreted the world in various ways; the point, however, is to change it.” Visitors often leave flowers or red flags, and the grave has become a site of quiet pilgrimage for those inspired by his ideas. Marx was originally buried in a modest grave nearby, but this grander monument was later commissioned by the Communist Party of Great Britain. His wife, Jenny von Westphalen, and other family members rest beside him. Karl Heinrich Marx was born in Trier, Prussia, in 1818 and studied law and philosophy at the universities of Bonn and Berlin, where he was influenced by Hegel. His revolutionary writings and political activism forced him into exile, & he eventually settled in London in 1849, where he lived much of his life in poverty, supported by his lifelong collaborator & friend, Friedrich Engels., They wrote The Communist Manifesto in 1848, calling for workers of the world to unite against capitalist exploitation. Marx’s major work, Das Kapital explored the mechanics of capitalism and its inherent inequalities. In it, he dissected the mechanics of capitalism, examining how value, labour, and profit intertwine. When he died in 1883, only a handful of people attended his funeral, but his ideas went on to shape the political and intellectual landscape of the 20th century, influencing revolutions, socialist movements, and entire academic disciplines. Today, his grave stands not only as a memorial to a man but as a monument to ideas that have challenged and changed the world.
October 19, 2025 at 5:53 AM
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Before I knew it, night fell. It was so dark aside from some far away street lamps & very much alone in the maze of gravestones. I had to find my way out using the torch on my phone.

Moral of the story, don’t lose track of time!

Photos of that evening had a more spooky vibe than I had intended
A cluster of grave stones in the fading daylight. Some are leaning in different directions. They are surrounded by overgrown grass. Some over hanging branches peak into the frame, and behind them trees and other flora are present in the gloom. The sky is a faded blue as the sun sets.
October 18, 2025 at 7:18 AM
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Day 18: Mistake

#31daysofgraves

Humour me here~

I knew I would struggle to find one for this day, but thought I would tell you about the mistake *I* made when I was exploring Tower Hamlets Cemetery park,

I was engrossed in reading all the headstones exploring after work one day.
Tall Gothic stone monument marking the grave of Joseph Westwood in Tower Hamlets Cemetery Park. The memorial features a slender spire rising from a four arched canopy supported by clustered columns, resembling a miniature open chapel. Behind, the stone is surrounded by fading daylight and trees are present in the background. The stone is illuminated by a flashlight. Carved from pale Portland stone with pointed arches and leafy decoration, it bears an inscribed panel naming Westwood (1818–1883) and his family. Once surrounded by railings, the Grade II-listed structure is weathered but remains one of the cemetery’s most imposing and ornate Victorian memorials. Joseph Westwood (1818–1883) was a prominent 19th-century shipbuilder and engineer from London’s East End. He co-founded Westwood, Baillie & Co, a firm known for constructing iron ships, bridges, and heavy engineering works along the Thames. including structures linked to the later Thames Ironworks, from which West Ham United Football Club traces its origins. Respected for his industrial skill and local philanthropy, Westwood’s imposing memorial reflects both his success and his standing within Victorian society
October 18, 2025 at 7:18 AM
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Day 17: Relocated

A lot of the surviving gravestones were removed, and placed along the wall of the former churchyard. It is now a memorial park. Only a few epitaphs and stones are readable.

The Old Burial Ground, Formally St Margaret’s- Now the Uxbridge Peace Memorial, London.

#31daysofgraves
A weathered sandstone headstone, slightly leaning forward, surrounded by fallen leaves. The inscription reads: “ERECTED 1785. Many words may be said in one, honest John Macdougall lies under this stone.” (Unfortunately no longer true, his stone leans against the wall) The lower portion of the inscription has faded with time. The stone’s top edge has a gentle arch to it. John Macdougall’s epitaph is notably concise and affectionate. Describing him simply as “honest” reflects the values of integrity and plain virtue prized in late 18th century Britain. The directness of the inscription contrasts with the flowery language of many contemporary gravestones, giving this one a sense of humble dignity. St. Margaret’s, once the heart of Uxbridge’s parish life, was deconsecrated in the 20th century. The remaining gravestones, although relocated to the exterior walls, are still preserved in the Memorial Peace Garden. They now stand as historical touchstones reminding visitors of the generations who lived, worked, and worshipped in the old town. A time worn gravestone with a curved top and faint decorative scrolls near the upper edge. The inscription, though partly obscured by lichen and weathering, reads: “In Memory of Maria Youens who died February 3rd, 1810, Aged 25 Years. But God in mercy unto us hath given, The cheering hope to meet again in Heaven.” Dry leaves cluster around the base of the stone, and faint moss patterns dot the surface. Maria Youens’ grave reflects early 19th-century Christian attitudes toward death and reunion in the afterlife. The poetic epitaph, common at the time, conveys comfort and religious hope. The surname Youens appears in parish records from Middlesex during this period, suggesting a local family possibly involved in trade or domestic service. The verse captures the softer tone of the Georgian period’s memorial style, moving away from earlier stark reminders of mortality. A sandstone headstone, lightly weathered with rounded shoulders, set against a moss-covered wall. The inscription reads: “To the Memory of Elizabeth, Daughter of Henry & Sarah Powell of this Town, died July the 9th, 1757, Aged 10 Months.” The stone shows signs of erosion and some chips near the top edge. Moss and lichen grow along the wall behind it, and the ground before it is covered in dry leaves and green moss. This grave belongs to an infant named Elizabeth Powell, who died in 1757, just ten months old. In the 18th century, infant mortality was tragically common, even among established town families. The inscription’s careful lettering reflects the craftsmanship of the era’s stonemasons. St. Margaret’s Churchyard, where she rests, served as the parish burial ground for Uxbridge for centuries before it was converted into the Memorial Peace Garden. A lot of the stones were destroyed, but the place is still dedicated to reflection and remembrance.
October 18, 2025 at 6:24 AM
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Day 16: Obelisk

Couldn’t decide! So posting both,

Kensal Green Cemetery, London, Uk.

#31daysofgraves
A tall, Gothic-style obelisk monument rises solemnly among the graves of Kensal Green Cemetery. Crafted from weathered stone, its spire narrows to a point and bears a carved cross motif near the top. Two angelic figures are seated on either side of the monument’s midsection, their wings folded and faces contemplative, as though in eternal mourning. Below them, arched panels frame inscriptions commemorating Robert Parnall and other family members. Ivy climbs the base, its tendrils wrapping around the stone, softening the once-crisp edges of the architecture. Behind and around the obelisk, rows of older gravestones and trees fill the background, their leaves just beginning to turn in the autumn light.
October 16, 2025 at 4:21 PM
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Day 16: Obelisk

York Cemetery, North Yorkshire, UK.

#31daysofgraves
A tall, ornate Victorian obelisk-style gravestone stands amid a blanket of fallen autumn leaves in York Cemetery. The monument is darkened with age, its stone surface streaked with algae. The obelisk tapers upward in several tiers, each section decorated with Gothic-style detailing, including pointed arches and carved foliage motifs. Surrounding it are several older, weathered headstones leaning at various angles. Bare branches and evergreen shrubs frame the scene, giving it a quiet peaceful atmosphere under an overcast sky. York Cemetery is one of the finest examples of a 19th-century garden cemetery. It was established in 1837, designed by the architect J.P. Pritchett, who also designed York’s famous chapel and many notable city buildings. The cemetery reflects the Victorian garden cemetery movement, which sought to combine natural beauty with solemn remembrance, creating peaceful, landscaped spaces for the dead within the growing industrial cities. It covers around 24 acres and contains over 55,000 graves, including memorials to soldiers, local dignitaries, artisans, and everyday citizens of York. The site fell into neglect in the 20th century but was rescued in the 1980s by a volunteer-led trust. Today, it’s both a functioning burial ground and a place of historic and ecological significance, home to mature trees, wildlife, and striking funerary architecture like the obelisk shown here.
October 16, 2025 at 4:11 PM
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Day 15: Damage

Still beautiful.

York Cemetery, North Yorkshire UK

#31daysofgraves
A weathered and partially broken gravestone stands, still proudly in the grass in York Cemetery. The upper right portion of the headstone is missing, leaving a jagged edge. The stone bears eroded inscriptions commemorating Sarah Tilburn and Joseph Tilburn, who died in the 1800s. Moss and lichen cling to the base, and other aged, ivy-covered gravestones can be seen in the background beneath a canopy of bare trees, giving the scene a somber atmosphere. Even when damaged, the memorial for the deceased still matters. Sometimes there is still beauty in broken things.
October 15, 2025 at 4:57 PM
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Day 14: Inside

A peek inside the Columbarium

San Amaro Cemetery, A Coruña, Spain.

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A narrow corridor inside the columbarium at San Amaro Cemetery in A Coruña, Spain. The walls are lined with neatly stacked stone niches, each bearing engraved nameplates and adorned with flowers and memorial plaques. A metal ladder leans against the wall, allowing access to higher rows of niches. Soft daylight filters from an opening above, casting a calm, reverent glow over the tiled floor
October 15, 2025 at 4:03 PM