Here are images of unique cemeteries from around
the world. The compilation aims to showcase the diverse forms and styles of
cemeteries beyond the popular Victorian style. Cemeteries reflect a society's
perspective on life and death, making it more than just a tourist attraction.
The aesthetics of cemeteries can also be a crucial factor for individuals to
decide their eternal resting place.
#1 Mosfellsbæjarkirkjugarður (Iceland)
As Christmas approaches, people of Reykjavik honor their
departed loved ones by adorning graves with candles and lights. This
traditional lighting is a common practice around the holiday season.
#2 Neptune Memorial Reef (USA)
An artificial reef designed by artist Kim Brandell, located
off the coast of Florida. It serves as a columbarium that protects the ashes of
the deceased with small plates showing their names. To visit the site, one must
dive into the ocean.
#3 Sagada Xuán Guān (Philippines)
While the practice of hanging coffins is common in China and
Indonesia, the Philippines is the most visited place to learn about this
ancestral tradition. The deceased is buried in a fetal position inside a coffin
they crafted while alive, reserved only for important members of the community.
Only one woman is known to have been buried in this honorable way.
#4 Okuno-In (Japan)
Considered the most beautiful mystical cemetery globally,
this site is surrounded by cedars and has 120 temples. The monk Kukai founded
one of the main schools of Japanese Buddhism in 819 on Mount Koya. He reached
Nirvana while meditating, and his mausoleum is a popular site.
#5 Cementerio De Atacama (Chile)
The resting place of those who came to the Atacama desert in
search of prosperity around 1900. The arid climate has given the wooden tombs a
gloomy appearance.
#6 Nghĩa Trang An Bắng (Vietnam)
Known colloquially as the "city of ghosts," this
site is decorated extravagantly in Vietnam's traditional style, reminiscent of
its imperial times.
#7 Cimetière De Morne-À-L'eau (France)
Created exclusively for the inhabitants of Guadeloupe, the
tradition here is to cover the tombs with black and white mosaics, whose
origins remain unknown. Many associate it with the symbolism of life and death.
#8 Catacombe Dei Cappuccini Di Palermo (Italy)
The mummification process's discoveries made the catacombs
of the Capuchin brothers in Palermo a sought-after site for burial. Being
buried here is a sign of social prestige among Sicilians.
#9 Nokhur (Turkmenistan)
The people of the Nokhur region hold goats in high esteem
for their strength and courage. Therefore, they hang goat horns at the
entrances of houses and on tombstones in the cemetery as a sign of respect for
their ancestors. This ancient tradition dates back to Alexander the Great's
time.
#10 Memorial Necrópole Ecumênica (Brazil)
Known as the tallest cemetery globally, this 14-story
building pioneered the concept of vertical cemeteries. Built in the 1980s, it
houses a museum of historical vehicles, making it an unconventional destination
to demystify a traditional cemetery visit.
#11 Gejig (Kenya)
Also known as Lothagam North Pillar, this cemetery dates
back 5,000 years and is one of the oldest in the world. The nomadic peoples of
Africa performed pastoral ritual sacrifices before burying their dead with
vividly colored necklaces and ornaments one meter deep. The site is surrounded
by megalith
#12 Khalid Nabi (Iran)
The peculiar cemetery, found in 1979-1980, showcases tombstones from the 17th century that are believed to be shaped like human reproductive organs. The site attracts both tourists and Iranians who come to make wishes and tie ribbons on nearby trees for good fortune.
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