Four portraits taken by Annie Leibovitz in 2016
✨ Queen Elizabeth with her husband, Prince Philip
✨ Queen Elizabeth with her daughter, Princess Anne
✨ Queen Elizabeth with her daughter Princess Anne, her eldest granddaughter Zara Tindall and her great granddaughter Mia Tindall
✨ Queen Elizabeth with her two youngest grandchildren James Viscount Severn (now Earl of Wessex) and Lady Louise, and her great-grandchildren, Savannah Phillips, Isla Phillips, Mia Tindall, Prince George and Princess Charlotte
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17 June 2017 | Members of the Royal Family, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Harry, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (with Princess Charlotte and Prince George), and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, stand on the balcony of Buckingham Palace to watch a fly-past of aircraft by the Royal Air Force, in London. The ceremony of Trooping the Colour is believed to have first been performed during the reign of King Charles II. In 1748, it was decided that the parade would be used to mark the official birthday of the Sovereign. More than 600 guardsmen and cavalry make up the parade, a celebration of the Sovereign's official birthday, although the Queen's actual birthday is on 21 April. (c) Chris J Ratcliffe/AFP via Getty Images
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Visit A Cemetery Day
Visit a Cemetery Day is a holiday that takes place every last Sunday in October. This year it falls on October 29. It is a day that allows us to honor the life of those who are gone. It is a chance to admit that, though they’re no longer physically with us, we still have them in our memories. It is a day when people go to the gravesite of friends and families who have left this world. On Visit a Cemetery Day, many choose to redecorate the gravesite of their loved ones. Many other activities give life to this holiday as well.
History of Visit A Cemetery Day
The culture of visiting gravesites and cemeteries predates most modern cultures, and it has been a way of life of humans since ancient times. A cemetery is more than a collection of gravesites and headstones. It is a place for deep reflection and connecting. It is not a lonely place where you can’t learn anything. It is a place of meditation, where you get to reflect on the memories you shared with those who have left us. The headstones also contain messages about the people we cherish and are worth reading. It is usually a wisdom quote that captures the essence of life, and it can be inspiring.
Visit a Cemetery Day reminds us that we’re not entirely disconnected from those who have left this physical world. The memories they left remain with us, and we can cherish them as much as possible. We can also reminisce on the times we spent together and how they have helped us get to where we are today.
Visiting a cemetery is also sometimes a gathering affair where people come together to honor the departed. This is done for soldiers who died in battle and also victims of casualties. The essence of it all is to remember them for the good they’ve done and honor the memory we have of them. This is why cemeteries are generally known as memorial parks, emphasizing the memories left behind by the dead.
Visit A Cemetery Day timeline
7 A.D. Burial Under Church Control
The church handles burial services and takes charge of burying the dead in Europe.
1797 First Chartered Burial Ground
The State of Connecticut incorporates a new cemetery in New Haven.
1800s Company and Municipally Owned
Cemeteries not owned by the church become more popular and accepted.
1860s Tribute to Fallen Soldiers
Americans visit the graves of fallen soldiers to place flowers and honor them.
Visit A Cemetery Day FAQs
Can you observe from a private gravesite?
Yes, you can observe this solemn holiday from a private graveyard.
How can you decorate a gravestone?
The gravestone can have carvings and inscriptions. Also, you can bring flowers occasionally to beautify the place.
What if the gravesite is far away?
You can observe a solemn time with friends to honor the dead, even when their resting place is far away.
How to Observe Visit A Cemetery Day
Visit the burial place of loved ones
Decorate the gravesites
Have a picnic with family and friends
On this solemn holiday, you can visit the burial place of dear ones who have departed. It helps us honor the memory they left behind.
You can bring flowers and other ornaments to beautify the burial place of the departed. By doing so, we remind ourselves that the dead deserve respect too.
You can have a quiet time with family and friends. It is a time to reflect and share stories about those who have left us.
5 Facts About Cemeteries
Epitaphs are a great source of knowledge
Most gravestones face east
Meaningful carvings are common
Cemeteries are sometimes multipurpose
Number of graves on an acre
Apart from being words of hope, epitaphs are also known to convey vital information.
Many gravestones in the world face east, mostly to acknowledge the rising sun.
Several gravestones have very meaningful carvings.
Sometimes, cemeteries feature other things like art, historical artifacts, and museums.
An acre of land can occupy close to 2,000 graves.
Why Visit A Cemetery Day is Important
To honor the dead
Understand life better
Helps to remember the dead
On this special holiday, we get to honor those who have gone before us. It is good to cherish the memories they left behind.
When we visit the cemetery, we get a better insight into life and appreciate that we must cherish it.
On Visit a Cemetery Day, we get to recall the times we spent with departed loved ones. We remember all the things they’ve done for us and the memories we shared.
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