Memorial Day activity - visit family cemeteries
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Visit ancestors burial cites, cemeteries
Ahead of time:
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Find hotels in the area, make travel plans, map out the cemeteries you will visit
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Find out where the cemeteries are
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Locate grocery stores or florists in the area where you can pick up flowers
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Look at your ancestral records – or make record of all the ancestors you know of, and where they are buried (parents, grandparents, great-grandparents, great-great-grandparents)
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Look for any histories or photos that you have for these people
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Make a list of where you will visit
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Write down information on other close friends or relatives that have passed away and where they are buried
Bring with you:
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Broom to clean grass off of tomb stone (small little hand broom)
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Bucket for water to water plants
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Camera to take pictures of the tomb stones and family visiting cemetery.
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Clorox wipes or other cleaning wipes.
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Family group sheets – record of ancestors names, dates, burial locations
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Family group sheets or ancestral records – to match up dates & make sure information is accurate.
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Flowers to put down at grave – Mums work great. No glass.
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History and photos of your ancestors. Talk about them on your drive to each cemetery, or while you are there.
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Paper and pen to write down notes off of tomb stone.
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Paper towels for cleaning
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Pinwheels and flags – kids especially enjoy putting these down
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Plastic vases that have stake to put in the ground.
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Special cleaning solvent to clean build-up.
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Vinegar, rag/towel, scrub brush to clean headstones
While you are there:
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Clean up head stone & burial site
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Make sure your records match tomb stone
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Take pictures
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Talk about your ancestors
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Visit cemeteries
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Visit the town that your ancestors lived, old family homes or special locations
You never know – you might meet a distant cousin at the cemetery! It has happened to our family before.