Black Veils, Talking Tombstones & Italy Beckons
Talking Tombstones, a surprise review, and exciting book news
Howdy!
Last newsletter, I mentioned meeting reader Jonelle Bartoli in Weatherford. Well, at Weatherford’s Talking Tombstone Tour, she completely fooled me by appearing in full Victorian mourning attire beneath a black lace veil and parasol! (That’s us in the photo above.)
I kept thinking, “Wait… don’t I know you?”
Turns out, I did. 😄
In two days, Larry and I fly to Italy where I’ll once again serve as a cemetery symbolism guide for Lisa’s Gryphon Art Holidays. I’m so dang excited!
Before I disappear into a whirlwind of funerary art and monumental cemeteries, here’s what I’ve got for this edition of Travel & Tombstones:
📌 In This Newsletter
• Talking Tombstone Tour
• My Cemetery Photo Book Has Landed
• Richard Waterhouse Recommends ATW80
• 2026 Talks, Tours & Events
• ICYMI: I’m a Cover Girl!
• Where in the World is Tui Snider?
🪦 Talking Tombstone Tour
Last newsletter, I mentioned a historic cemetery event that I discovered at the last minute.
Well… I went, and it was fabulous!
Weatherford’s Talking Tombstone Tour blends local history, storytelling, costumed interpreters, and historic graves into a delightfully memorable afternoon.
I still can’t believe it’s been going on for twenty years and I’m only now learning about it!
👉 Check out the full story (and see more photos) here: Talking Tombstone Tour
My Cemetery Photo Book Has Landed
My author copies of Buried America: Dallas–Fort Worth — A Photographic Journey Through North Texas Cemeteries (BADFW for short!) finally arrived.
After years of cemetery wandering, photography, research, and writing, it feels wonderful to finally hold this full-color book in my hands.
I created it to celebrate the rich variety of symbolism, history, art, architecture, and human stories hidden throughout North Texas cemeteries.
I truly believe these places deserve far more attention than they usually receive.
And here’s a bit of exciting news: at the moment, BADFW is currently the #1 Bestseller in Dallas–Fort Worth Travel on Amazon.
This only happened because of readers like you sharing the book, preordering it, and spreading the word.
Thank you!
Richard Waterhouse Recommends Around the World in 80 Graves
I was deeply touched to discover that symbolism researcher Richard Waterhouse recently recommended my cemetery travel memoir, Around the World in 80 Graves, in his wonderful symbolism newsletter as you can see in the screen grab above.
Must confess that his kind words about my book made my day!
Richard’s newsletter is consistently fascinating and beautifully researched. If you enjoy symbolism, historic art, cemeteries, hidden meanings, or cultural connections, I know you’ll love his work.
👉 You can read Richard’s entire newsletter here: Waterhouse Symbolism #238 (And to subscribe, simply email him at: rwsymbolism@gmail.com)
2026 Talks, Tours & Events
Meanwhile, my fall calendar is filling up with cemetery talks, symbolism programs, book signings, tours, and spooky-season adventures. I’d absolutely love to meet more of you in person—maybe even at a library, club, or event near you?
Here’s the full list of events, so far: Tui’s 2026 Events
If you enjoy my work, one of the biggest ways you can help is simply by spreading the word. Personal recommendations make a huge difference.
Please consider mentioning me to:
• your local library
• genealogy societies
• historical groups
• preservation organizations
• book clubs or community groups
Those invitations often begin with a single reader saying, “Hey, you should check out this cemetery lady with the weird first name.” 😄
ICYMI: I’m a Cover Girl!
Did you happen to see my article about the iconic Angel of Grief in this month’s American Cemetery & Cremation magazine? It’s one of the most widely replicated sculptures in the world, with a fascinating back story.
My photo of the original Angel of Grief in Rome ended up on the magazine cover—which is always a thrill! (And yes, telling Larry that he married a “cover girl” is a joke that never gets old. 😆)
👉 Read the article here: William Wetmore Story’s Angel of Grief
📸 Where in the world is Tui Snider?
If you’d like to wander along with me between newsletters, I share random photos, tombstone details, travel notes, and behind-the-scenes glimpses from the road in all sorts of places online.
Follow wherever you like… or meet me back here next time:
• Facebook: Tui Snider (Still the easiest place to share stuff when I’m on the road!)
• Instagram: Tui Snider
• Substack Notes: Tui Snider
Ciao for now!
By the time I write you again, I’ll be in Italy surrounded by monumental cemeteries, marble sculpture, symbolism notes, pasta, and more angel photos than you can shake a stick at—or maybe a spaghetti noodle, in this case.
Until next time: keep wandering, keep wondering, and keep an eye out for mysterious black-veiled friends in historic cemeteries. (I’m looking at you, Jonelle!)
~Tui 💜🪦🇮🇹
p.s. Quick reminder: when you sign up for my newsletter, I give you my illustrated booklet, The Many Meanings of Hands in Historic Cemeteries. Some folks miss the download link the first time around, so here’s another chance. 😄
👉 Grab the f.ree booklet here: The Many Meanings of Hands in Historic Cemeteries.
I’m not surprised at all to hear your book is doing so well. With all the hard work that you have done t, it’s very well deserved. Love your cover girl picture, too!!