Columbia, South Carolina

Headstone Sculptures:  In cemeteries, the lion shall lie down with the lamb. Take any cemetery, and there you will find lions and lambs, often buried right next to each other. Cemeteries are among the most conflict-averse places in the world. Elmwood Cemetery. [2016]

Louisville, Kentucky

Headstone Sculptures:  Not just one bird, but three. Is the sculpture a representation of what they could see from their kitchen window? Is it the number of children they brought into this world? Or is it a testimony to Bob Marley: "Every little thing gonna be alright"?  Evergreen Cemetery. [2016]

Meridian, Mississippi

Headstone Sculptures: It should be a seal. (Do you see why?) Instead, it's a horse. Oh, but a seal would be so much more interesting and almost poetic. Rose Hill Cemetery. [2013]

Richmond, Virginia

Headstone Sculptures:  Granite animals are frequently part of the cemetery art world. They do their best to turn graveyards into sculpture gardens, but rarely are they asleep (eve though their owners are). In the past, an animal effigy was needed at a tomb only to serve as a guardian: with eyes wide open. Hollywood Cemetery. [2015]

Linden, New Jersey

Headstone Sculptures:  It's a full size 1982 Mercedes Benz 240 Diesel limousine. Actually, it's not. It's a headstone made of Barre granite. As the story goes, a New Jersey business man promised his nephew a Mercedes Benz, but the young man died before his uncle could fulfill his promise. This is what his nephew got instead. Rosedale Cemetery. [1984]

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Headstone Sculptures:  Novelty headstones are always a thrill to find, especially when they contradict the uniformity of the surrounding landscape. In cemeteries, tires usually appear on a vehicle (presumably so the interred can make a quick getaway). This time, a symbolic tire stands alone. What story is it trying to tell? Pineview Cemetery. [2012]

Burrillville, Rhode Island

Headstone Sculptures:  Granite slabs are easily transformed into books. In fact, the Book-of-Life idea is fairly widespread across the country.  Unfortunately, granite books can't be opened, but St. Peter will have read every word when you show up at heaven's gate. St. Patrick's Cemetery. [2019]