Burial construction varied by class and faith. Wealthy Louisianans commissioned large, elaborate family tombs, while those with lesser means were buried in small units of oven like wall crypts. The very poor who could not afford tombs or crypts were buried below ground, often in unmarked or mass graves. During epidemics the dead were often buried one on top of another.
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New Orleans has always respected the dead, but this isn't the reason the tombs of our departed loved ones are interred above ground. Early settlers in the area struggled with different methods to bury the dead. Burial plots are shallow in New Orleans because the water table is high. Dig a few feet down, and the grave becomes soggy, filling with water.
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The casket will literally float. You just can't keep a good person down!
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The early settlers tried by placing stones in and on top of coffins to weigh them down and keep them underground. Unfortunately, after a rainstorm, the rising water table would literally pop the airtight coffins out of the ground. To this day, unpredictable flooding still lifts an occasional coffin out of the ground in those areas generally considered safe from flooding and above the water table.
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Another method tried was to bore holes in the coffins. This method also proved to be unsuitable. Eventually, New Orleans' graves were kept above ground following the Spanish custom of using vaults.
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The walls of these cemeteries are made up of economical vaults that are stacked on top of one another. The rich and wealthier families could afford the larger ornate tombs with crypts. Many family tombs look like miniature houses complete with iron fences. The rows of tombs resemble streets. New Orleans burial plots quickly became known as "
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I am fascinated with them (the cemeteries) too. How can we pay that much respect to the dead when it lacks that much with the livin? And...nice set.
Madoc · 2007-10-02: 17:38
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Although these places are not very joyful, I like the way you took your pictures. The perspectives are great!
miclaud · 2007-10-02: 19:55
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Great set, nice place. J'aime beaucoup.
LisetteT · 2007-10-02: 21:09
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Fascinating set and interesting story. With land being at a premium, (everywhere around the world) future generations will have no burial plots, no headstones and most likely, no real evidence that a person existed.
jetjackson · 2007-10-02: 21:17
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Beautiful pictures!
Karibbean · 2007-10-02: 21:19
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This is fascinating! I have heard about the New Orleans Cities of the Dead, but have never seen pictures of them. These are lovely!
Carley · 2007-10-02: 22:00
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very well done!!!
Hocuspocus · 2007-10-03: 03:03
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a detailed post, really interesting
Fasterbit · 2007-10-03: 07:01
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Great shots, composition is beautiful:))
KC727 · 2007-10-03: 07:55
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Thanks for all the information about burial in Lower Louisiana. Very nice way of showing it.
tbranscum · 2007-10-03: 08:17
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Another great and interesting set, didn't know that. Thanks!
eljapa · 2007-10-03: 13:10
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Great work! A very interesting text too! Thanks for sharing!
davidcardona · 2007-10-03: 17:33
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I was completely enthralled by the cemeteries the first time I visited New Orleans. You have captured them beautifully. Great set.
dweiskir · 2007-10-03: 20:58
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great series
pandodo · 2007-10-06: 20:23
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Excellent post ! Great pictures. It looks like a lot cemeteries we have here. I'm always shocked with the differences between tombs. Showing how wealthy we are when dead won't help getting peace....
jendayee · 2007-10-11: 14:19
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I need to get back there to pay some respects......
maharba · 2007-11-07: 15:16
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