Quartzsite, Arizona

Free-Range Figurines:  August was the month of free-range figurines. Truth be told, though: None of the figurines were really free-range. They were just symbols of free-range spirits. Now, to end the month, we have something that truly is free-range! But, he is full of life and not a figurine. Hi Jolly Cemetery. [2015]

Middletown, Rhode Island

Free-Range Figurines:  Finally, after almost a month, we have some real figurines. But, all of them seem perfectly content to stay exactly where they are: in a wagon that will never be animated by the boy who had his whole life ahead of him. Masonic Lodge Cemetery. [2008]

Selma, Alabama

Free-Range Figurines:  These canines don't look like they are at all interested in free-ranging. They look perfectly content to sit at the feet of their master and smell the roses or wait for the next morsel of food. Do they realize that all food is spiritual in this part of the realm? Lincoln Cemetery. [2013]

Rock Port, Missouri

Free-Range Figurines:  Your spirit might not want to follow a scarecrow into the great beyond. If he only had a brain, he might be able to get you there. Otherwise, not only is he clueless, he also scares away other spiritual beings who might be helpful on the journey. Greenhill Cemetery. [2019]

Forest Park, Illinois

Free-Range Figurines: The place is Showmen's Rest, a section of the cemetery set aside for circus workers. Guarding their petit domaine are two pachyderms, loyal friends from the world of work, but also big enough and strong enough to carry them off to the great beyond. Woodlawn Cemetery. [2006]

Kingman, Arizona

Free-Range Figurines:  Someone has chosen an elephant calf to represent the spirit. Like dogs, elephants are loyal. They are also symbols of good luck, especially in Asia. But, is this an Asian elephant or an African elephant? The ears are the give-away. Mountain View Cemetery. [2010]

Brunswick, Georgia

Free-Range Figurines:  Like birds and butterflies, dolphins range across three dimensions. They can go anywhere, left or right or up or down, in the ocean of water that surrounds the planet. Land-lubbers, like cows and dogs, are so not free-range. City Cemetery. [2012]

El Dorado, Arkansas

Free-Range Figurines:  What is a better symbol of a free-range spirit: an eagle or a butterfly? In this case, the butterfly is as big as an eagle, so it is hard to say which is better. Butterflies, though, with their aerial antics have become popular symbols of disembodied spirits. Arlington Cemetery. [2018]

Odessa, Delaware

Free-Range Figurines:  What is a better symbol of a free-range spirit: an eagle or a hummingbird? Consider how many people have eagles in their backyard and how many people have hummingbirds. And, this one even has a flower to hum about. Drawyers Cemetery. [2018]

Bay St. Louis, Mississippi

Free-Range Figurines:  Symbolizing the essence of freedom, an eagle tries to take flight. On his wings ride the souls of the departed. "They shall mount up with wings of eagles." So sayeth Isaiah. There seems to be no better symbol of a free-range spirit than an eagle. Cedar Rest Cemetery. [2014]

Batesburg, South Carolina

Free-Range Figurines:  They must have been a farm family, in love with their animals and now missed by them. They must have been in love with each other too, judging from the overlapping hearts. Amick Grove Pentecostal Church Cemetery. [2016]

Harristown, Illinois

Free-Range Figurines: Just because it is plastic, doesn't mean it isn't a sculpture. Maybe this pink flamingo is a sign the WL's spent their winters in Florida. This bird seems to have legs to stand on, but no feet, so how free-range can he be? Harristown Cemetery. [2015]

Albuquerque, New Mexico

Free-Range Figurines:  He is up on all fours getting ready to ward off any intruders. You might call him a grave guardian; and, if so, his ideological lineage goes back to the sphinx of ancient Egypt. Cemeteries are scattered with sculptural figurines like this, and often they are not part of a headstone or individual memorial. Sunset Memorial Park. [2013]