KABOOM! Why New Orleans Cemeteries Above Ground

Our tour guide told us that back in the day caskets used to be buried underground. The majority of New Orleans is built upon reclaimed swampland and much of the city is located below sea level.

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This system was born from the existing burial traditions in the areas where New Orleans residents had immigrated from such as Spain Italy and France that were inclusive of above ground burials.

Why new orleans cemeteries above ground. Crosses and statues jutting from tomb surfaces cast contrasting shadows adding to the sense of mystery. Many of New Orleans oldest and most historic cemeteries are built. While that is true in some instances especially during the early history of the city the more accurate reason is that New Orleans cemeteries have been constructed in the cultural and architectural traditions of Europe such as Père Lachaise.

Due to their unique architecture and to the fact that they are above ground. Instead of being placed in the ground a system of temporary above ground burials was developed. Visitors tour the grounds housing lives past and learn about their history.

They learn about the famous deceased the reasons why we bury above ground and most importantly they see the various types of graves we feature in each cemetery. This questions comes up quite often the most widely spread response is that it is due to our high water table. Answer 1 of 35.

Burying the dead in a place built below sea level was a problem that faced the earliest residents of the French settlement that became New Orleans. The New Orleans cemeteries are unique and that is simply because they are above the ground rather than 6 feet below it. Just rows and rows of very large concrete blocks.

It is pretty well known fact that New Orleans is considered to be below sea level. The many above ground cemeteries around town are hard to miss. Gorgeous and gothic above-ground tombs are a signature look of New Orleans.

Our water table is too high and ground saturation causes the caskets to float. The custom of above ground burial in New Orleans is a mixture of folklore and fact. Since we bury our dead in above ground tombs New Orleans cemeteries are often referred to as Cities of the Dead and once you step inside one youll understand why.

When you stay at La Belle Esplanade all your New Orleans questions will be answered like why are New Orleans cemeteries above ground. Some accounts claim it was modeled after Pariss famous Père-Lachaise cemetery and there can be no doubt that the two bear a strong resemblance to each other. New Orleans at 300 returns with a story of the citys above ground cemeteries and those working behind the scenes.

With rows of these tombs NOLA cemeteries have often been referred to as Cities of the Dead This is because the cemeteries actually resemble cities many with streets and street signs. But Père-Lachaise wasnt used as a cemetery until 1804 so. Why do they bury people above ground in New Orleans.

The Cemeteries of New. The solution agreed upon to entomb the departed in elaborate marble chambers above ground created one of the citys most. With row after row of above-ground tombs New Orleans cemeteries are often referred to as Cities of the Dead Enter the cemetery gates and you will be greeted by rusty decorative ironwork and blinded by sun-bleached tombs.

Leeds tomb in Cypress Grove Cemetery rusted long ago is constructed entirely of cast iron. New Orleans cemeteries are often referred to as Cities of the Dead because of these hauntingly beautiful tombs. While traditional cemeteries require burials of six feet below ground in New Orleans thats impossible because the city is too close to the water table.

The first cemetery in New Orleans designed for aboveground burial was the St. Your New Orleans Answer man happens to be the man in charge of La Belle Esplanade along with Frau Schmitt who is the better half of this operation. Why are the majority of cemeteries constructed above ground in New Orleans.

The Above Ground Cemetery In New Orleans Thats Equal Parts Creepy And Fascinating. These graves are not above ground just for the novelty everyone expects New Orleans to provide but for a geological reason. Above Ground One of the first questions tourists ask when they come to New Orleans is.

New Orleans first formal cemetery the St. I visited New Orleans on August 13 2009 and did a tour of the city. - See 1476 traveler reviews 509 candid photos and.

New Orleans is certainly not the only city with a high water table but it has at 90 the largest percentage of above ground burials. All the other answers are good and accurate. Louis 1 cemetery which opened in 1789.

Above-ground tombs in cemeteries are a New Orleans staple. Because New Orleans sits so far below sea level they bury the dead above ground in mausoleums and columbariums. Theres certainly something hauntingly beautiful about our above ground cemeteries.

Save Our Cemeteries. New Orleans cemeteries continue to be a highlight of every trip. Rows and rows of above-ground tombs create for a unique aesthetic you dont see just anywhere else.

Peter Street Cemetery was located in what is now the French Quarter. Why do they bury the dead here in above ground tombs It has been a curiosity among visitors to the Crescent City for years. It is a popular belief that New Orleans buries its dead in above-ground tombs because of the high water table.

Weve found some of the most beautiful photographs of some of the oldest cemeteries in the city so lets take a look. Todays drone video tour is of the New Orleans Cemeteries. Heres another factoid of interest.

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