From the City of Souls to a Cemetery Party
Meeting Loren Rhoads, Shell Symbolism, Memento Mori Deals, Square Dancing and Bite-sized Myths!
🗞️ Tui's Cemetery News & Adventures – June Edition
Hello, friends! I've got all sorts of fun updates for you this month, from new writing and book excerpts to a North Texas cemetery party and bite-sized myths.
Let’s dive in:
✨ Double Feature in American Cemetery & Cremation Magazine!
Yee haw! I’m excited to share that I have not one, but TWO articles featured in the June issue of American Cemetery & Cremation magazine. 🤠🪦
📚 Book excerpt: Visiting the City of Souls with Loren Rhoads
The first article is actually a chapter excerpt from my upcoming travel memoir, Around the World in 80 Graves: Travel, Tombstones & Transformation.
It’s called:
👉 Visiting the City of Souls with Loren Rhoads
This piece recounts my adventures in Colma, California (aka “the City of Souls”) with fellow cemetery author and kindred spirit, Loren Rhoads. It was great meeting her in person!
🐚 Symbolism of Shells on Graves
My second piece dives into the symbolism of shells in cemetery iconography. From ancient myths to Christian pilgrimages, the humble shell carries deep meaning in memorial art.
Let me know which one you liked best—or if you learned something new!
📚 Highgate Cemetery Chapter Excerpt – Substack Edition
I recently shared another excerpt from Around the World in 80 Graves on Substack. In this chapter, I recount my pilgrimage to London’s Highgate Cemetery, where I visited Douglas Adams’ grave, left a pen in tribute, and encountered punk icons, Egyptian symbolism, and... penguins?!
Curious? Read the Highgate Chapter excerpt from Around the World in 80 Graves.
💜 Support Teal L. Gray: Victorian Mourning Goods for a Great Cause
My dear friend and fellow taphophile, Teal L. Gray, is facing cancer and raising funds through some incredible offerings. She’s selling beautiful Victorian mourning items, hair jewelry, curios, and other unique finds.
🛍️ Shop her store: The Lavender Crow on eBay
💖 Or donate directly: Teal’s GoFundMe
Every little bit helps. Thank you for considering it!
📖 Flash Fiction Fun: A Quick Myth by Patricia J.L.
If you love flash fiction, you’ll want to check out A Quick Myth, a brand-new collection from my pal Patricia J.L.
Her “drabbles” (200-word stories) are perfect for bedtime reading, quick brain breaks, or anyone craving bite-sized mythic twists.
🔮 Book Blurb:
Fantastic Creatures. Otherworldly Beings. Witches and Warlocks.
Each 200-word tale will bewitch your imagination.
🛒 Buy the Book
📚 Read her blog: Twisting the Myths
🪦 North Texas Cemetery Party! Want to Join Me?
On June 14th, I’m giving a talk on cemetery symbolism at the 40th Anniversary Celebration of the Abandoned Cemetery Association of Parker County, TX!
🗓️ Date: June 14, 2025
🕘 Time: 10am–3pm (my talk’s at 1pm)
📍 Location: 501 Dixon Road in Aledo Texas 76008
It’s gonna be so FUN! There will be:
Headstone cleaning & repair demos
Geocaching
Singing & square dancing
Free lunch and refreshments!
My talk at 1pm
The party is open to the public and great for all ages. I’ll have a book table, too—come say hi!
✉️ Let me know if you can make it. I’d love to see you there.
🏛️ Online Talk: Association for Gravestone Studies
Have you heard of the Association for Gravestone Studies? If you’re passionate about cemetery history, gravestone art, or preservation, it’s a wonderful group to be part of.
This month, I’ll be presenting at the online conference for AGS on June 19th, and I’d love for you to tune in! My talk is called, “Two Angels Seen Around the World: The Mona Lisa of Cemeteries & Rock of Ages.”
👉 More on AGS here
🇮🇹 Cemetery-Hopping in Italy? Come With Me!
Yes, it’s happening! This fall, I’m thrilled to be the symbolism guide on a one-of-a-kind cemetery-themed tour of Italy, based in Rome and led by Lisa Statkus.
We’ll explore:
🪦 Ancient Etruscan tombs
🕯️ Roman catacombs
🎨 Monumental cemeteries brimming with art and symbolism
Tour starts Halloween—October 31st! Space is limited, so don’t delay.
👉 Click here for tour details & how to join us
Thank you for sticking with me through this jam-packed update! I love sharing these cemetery connections and curiosities with you.
Until next time,
~Tui