When I went home, I googled them, and much to my surprise, they are both still alive and quite active in the local poetry community. This is an example of what the industry calls a "pre-need" monument. While initially striking me as eccentric, I see the complete practicality of it all. If you've got the money, why not do it now? After all, it only will be more expensive later. And you get to pick the spot yourself. Not to mention, you express your love and wishes while living. Something to think about.
Submitted to Taphophile Tragics, where you'll find more cemetery musings.
I'll be out of town for several days, and may not be able to leave comments. Post provided through auto-posting.
Absolutely fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI can feel their love for each other in their words.
ReplyDeleteHow very touching.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful expression of mutual love. Lovely shots!
ReplyDeleteBeautifully said to each other.
ReplyDeleteI have never seen this before, but it actually does fill a need, I guess. If you are going to invest in something like this, you sure better not plan to divorce later!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jack: what if living intervenes and the relationship veers off on a tangent? Not so sure that I agree with the concept of 'pre-need'. It is very much the funerary business in over-drive.
ReplyDeleteFloyd Salas is in his 80s whereas Claire is in her 60s. I wonder if Floyd's advanced years were the prompt. The poetry is a bit soppy, and probably sloppy. Over here cemeteries are filled with reserved spots, with just a marker to indicate that the spot has been 'taken'. I feel that is forward-thinkng enough.
Thanks for the post, Carolyn. Enjoy your time away.
That's weird
ReplyDeleteNot sure this 'art installation' should be in cemetery whilst they are both still alive. Thought provoking post and well done for discovering the story behind it.
ReplyDeleteI have seen many stones where the spouse's name and birthdate was engraved on the double stone, and althought I knew that by this present time the spouse surely has already passed, they are not Interred in that spot,,,and the final engraving is on another stone somewhere possibly in another state, town, country....
ReplyDeletehmmmm. how weird is that!
ReplyDeletei already find it weird if a couple has a stone together and the not-yet-died-half is already on the stone with name and date of birth, waiting to have the date of death carved in. that just is too much reality for me..
but an interesting find!
I think it's great that they have taken the present to express their love and tributes to each other. I was surprised at the number of commentees who did not like the idea. The stones could always be taken down. Tattoos are probably harder to get rid of.
ReplyDeleteI stumbled across this on Tuesday when I was at Mt. View checking out the tulips and other flowers blooming. It is basically art, but not so different whether they're alive or dead. At least there's no URL or other overt marketing :-)
ReplyDeleteI don't like this one at all. Who knows how circumstances may change in the future. Buying a plot is one thing, this is quite another.
ReplyDelete