Cemetery

I became particularly fascinated with cemeteries several years ago when Joe and I took a summer trip to the cemeteries where my mother's relatives were buried back to the original Sheas who came from Ireland. I was amazed by all the ways we honor the dead in the U.S.  Recently I was in New Orleans where everyone is buried above ground because the city is above sea level.  So I figured there must a similar problem for Venice.  Their cemetery is on a separate small island.  You pass it by boat or stop there on your way to Murano.  I confess to taking pictures when they tell you not to.  As an avid photographer, I was a bit frustrated by the number of churches in Venice that do not allow indoor photography, but remained respectful. I just couldn't help myself on the Cimitero di San Michele...I feel the photos were taken with the utmost respect for the families of the dead...no headstones were harmed in the process.

 The Cimitero di San Michele from Venice

 One of the monuments

 This was the area for military burial.  They also had a large section of just nuns and a large section of just priests

 I imagine this prickly pear was quite small when the family planted in the small planter at the bottom of the grave stone.

 All around there were watering cans conveniently available,

 and brooms

 Igor Stravinsky's grave

 Inner courtyard of what was once a cloister.

 The saddest part is always the area for the babies and young children

 Just a general shot, all the graves look cared for on a regular basis.

You no longer can go in these buildings, but I believe it was a chapel or church for services.