Coffin-shaped Gravestone

RIMG0039, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

St David's in Pembrokeshire - the lichen has nearly 'consumed' the inscription.

Headless Figure

DSC_0073, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

No sign of the head on this memorial in Blackburn Cemetery.

More than one Urn!

DSC_0059, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

This memorial in Arnos Vale cemetery (Bristol) is topped with an urn sitting on a much larger urn and more urns on each corner.

Weeping Angel

DSC_0481, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

A weeping angel is comforted by another in a graveyard in St Anne's, Lancashire.

Mourning Angel

DSC_0537, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

This memorial stands in a St Anne's churchyard. Just one of several distinctive memorials featuring Angels or mourning figures.

Nuns' Plot

DSC_0208, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

Sisters of Charity plot at Arnos Vale cemetery in Bristol.

Lichen 4

DSCF0516, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

St David's, Pembrokeshire

Lichen 3

DSCF0497, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

St David's, Pembrokeshire

Lichen 2

DSCF0485, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

St David's, Pembrokeshire

Lichen 1

DSCF0486, a photo by The Graveyard Detective on Flickr.

St David's Pembrokeshire

Sunken Angel

Katie - In Ever Loving Memory of Kate Eva Thompson

Katie is buried in Duke Street Cemetery in Southport, Lancashire. She died in 1904, aged 39 years. Her memorial must have toppled over at some point and has been stood up in front of the grave. The fall must have been broken by the cross behind her which has broken off at the top. She looks like she has been part buried in the ground.

                                                       

Lithuania's Haunting Hill of Crosses

I saw this on Pinterest and thought it very striking. Click on the image to see it on Pinterest and then again to see more images on the marvellous Environmental Graffiti website. Fascinating!

Southport Angel

For some reason, this angel at Birkdale Cemetery in Southport has been removed from it's plinth and stood on the grass in front. It doesn't look damaged so probably didn't topple over. The monochrome effect is Lightroom 'Black & White effect Look 3'.

Grave Art

Four examples of Grave Art at Adlington Cemetery - a basket of flowers, a palm and two draped urns.

A Show of Hands

Many of the headstones in Adlington Cemetery were manufactured at a local Stonemason's factory. Leonard Fairclough (1853-1927) founded the company and the quality of the work can be seen in these examples. Clasped hands can be found on headstones in cemeteries across the UK, but these few examples demonstrate the artistry of Fairclough and his men. I have selenium toned the images using Adobe Photoshop Lightroom 5.

Escaping the Coffin?

The Adlington Cemetery in Lancashire is home to a large number of impressive headstones and memorial. For example, take a look at the work that has gone into the headstone commemorating James Snape who died, aged 22, in 1888. The scene depicted with the figure clinging to the cross contains much symbolism. My eyes were draw to the bottom left of the scene. A hand breaks through the earth below what looks like part of a wooden coffin. I found it a little disconcerting.