Cities Of The Dead - St. Louis Cemetery #1
New Orleans, Louisiana
April 18, 2011
I took a walking tour of the St.
Louis cemetery #1. This cemetery experienced minimal flooding during
Hurricane Katrina, Our tour guide said there was maybe six to eight
inches of water. Many of the tombs are missing their front plates
just from weather and age related decay. Some tombs have been
completely destroyed and the remains moved elsewhere. Most of the
tombs are family owned and maintained. Each family can decorate or
maintain their tombs however they please. Some are under
perpetual care by
the city, and are cleaned up and given new coats of paint often. Many
of these tombs are still in use today. A tomb can hold many
individuals. After a year and a day, a tomb can be reused.
The remains of the previous occupant are removed, bagged and tagged and
returned to the tomb. The back of each tomb has an opening that leads
to a vault underground, remains are dropped into the opening and fall
to into the vault.
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