4 Unique South Pacific Graves
From a South Pacific Island to the land Down Under, here are some unique graves I've seen recently.
Cemetery Research
This has been a wonderful research trip! Since January, I’ve explored a variety of historic cemeteries from the South Pacific to the Land Down Under.
From unique epitaphs to unexpected symbols, here are four monuments that have sparked my curiosity along the way:
Kingdom of Tonga: Crocheted blankets
The Kingdom of Tonga is unique in the South Pacific as the only island nation never colonized by Europeans. Its rich cultural heritage is reflected in its art, woven mats, and textiles.
I'll share more about Tonga’s unique funeral rituals later, but first, here's a photo of a mounded grave draped in a crocheted blanket.
When the blanket wears out, it will be replaced with a new one. Same goes for the billboard like sign displaying an image of the deceased. Once it wears out it, too, will be replaced.
Manly Beach, Australia: Cycle of Life
Meanwhile, in Australia I encountered a truly unique monument in Manly Cemetery—a name that has nothing to do with gender, but simply reflects its location in the seaside town of Manly Beach.
Instead of the typical square headstone, the memorial for Sheila Wickert (1948–1994) is a striking sandstone column known as the “Cycle of Life.” This artwork is topped by a birdbath and features intricate figures of the sun, the moon, native Australian animals, and a woman, all woven together to tell the story of nature’s eternal rhythm.
I hope to learn more about Sheila Wickert. Her monument certainly gives the impression that she was a creative soul who would have been fun to know.
Darwin, Australia: Aborigine Woman
I came across another intriguing figure at The Gardens, a historic burial ground in Darwin, Australia.
A bronze plaque commemorates Annie Logalamara Erlandson (née Clark), identifying her as a “Garrawa woman.” The indigenous people of Australia’s Northern Territories refer to themselves as the Garrawan, a term they prefer over the more commonly used—but outsider-imposed—"aboriginal."
Despite its frequent appearance on shops and galleries, "aboriginal" is simply a familiar descriptor, not their chosen name. I don’t know much about the Garrawan funeral rites of burial customs, so this is yet another area for further research!
Darwin, Australia: Hard Drinking, Hard Working Bushman
At The Gardens, I also came across an intriguing marker for a man named Joe Cowan. His headstone not only features his portrait but also includes a miniature shovel and pickaxe affixed to a fieldstone—an homage to his work as a gold miner.
According to the inscription, Joe Cowan was a “Gold prospector and knockabout man. Travelled all round Australia. A typical bushman, a hard drinking, hard working prospector, and a family man.”
His unique memorial perfectly captures the rugged, adventurous spirit of Australia's gold rush era.
I’ve certainly come across some interesting cemeteries and intriguing characters this time around the world.
Make sure you’re subscribed because I’ll share more as I go!