What I Learned on my Italy Cemetery Tour! 🇮🇹✨

It was an amazing experience!

UPDATE: I accidentally wrote a post instead of a newsletter. Oh, well. Here ya go:

Howdy!

Welcome to Tui’s Tombstone Travels- a place to learn about cemetery symbolism, discover the stories behind unique graves, and see beautiful monuments from all over the world.

Here's what I've got for you in this newsletter:

1) What I learned as a cemetery. symbolism guide in Italy

2) Live show: Thank you for coming!

3) In Person Presentation: Richardson, TX

4) Video: Oswald's Burial & Gravesite (A messy situation!)

5) ICYMI: In Case You Missed It

1) What happened in Italy? Unlike Vegas, I don't want "what happened in Italy, to stay in Italy." Not at all. I want to share what happened in Italy with YOU! 

Since returning from my recent gig as a cemetery symbols guide in Italy, many of you have asked for more details. While I did share this overview of the trip, questions keep coming — especially, "What did you learn there?" and "What exactly is a monumental cemetery?" 

So with that in mind, I shared a few specific things I learned on my very favorite show: The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery hosted by the amazing taphophile duo, Dianne Hartshorn and Jennie Johnson. 

Watch the show to learn:

*What is a monumental cemetery?

*How graveyard poetry influenced burial practices

*Trees, Paganism and the Catholic Church

*How widows became Italy's first career women

... and more!

Watch the show: You can see the show on YouTube: The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery - Tui Snider's Italy Trip 

Be sure to hit the like button and subscribe to their channel while you are there! 

Halloween Cemetery Symbols Tour in Italy 2025: There’s still much more to share from that tour. In the meantime, I’m super excited to announce that I’ll be back for another 10-day cemetery tour in Italy. This tour will start on Halloween 2025 so that we can experience All Saints Day and All Souls Day in Rome!

Stay tuned for more details!

2) Replay link: Paranormal Gateway Paratalk with Scott Wise

I had a great time chatting with Scott Wise! Thanks to everyone who joined the live show and asked questions—it really kept things lively. 

 Topics covered? We covered a wide range of topics, including Lee Harvey Oswald, my visit to Dracula's castle, Romania’s Merry Cemetery, and more!

Shout outs: A big thank you to all who attended the live show, especially Susan, Robert, Ken, Lora, Laura, Antone, Michael, Teena, Granny, and AncestorTracer. Seeing you in the live chat made it extra special! 

For those who missed the show, here's a replay link: Paranormal Gateway Paratalk with Scott Wise. Be sure to hit the like button and subscribe to Scott's channel while you are there! 

3) Presentation: Richardson, TX  I'm giving an in-person talk based on my book "6 Feet Under Texas," at the Richardson Public Library (2360 Campbell Creek Blvd, Richardson, TX 75082.)

I'd love to see you there: 

Saturday, November 23 from 2:00 – 3:00 pm City Council Chamber

From the library website: In her photo-filled presentation, Tui shares forgotten North Texas burial history, including: Who was the Jesus in cowboy boots? What happened to $10,000 worth of gold buried beneath a cemetery tree? and more. 

Also, in honor of Veterans Day, Tui will talk about US military headstones: how to ID different kinds, and which symbols to look for.

Do me a favor? If you're on Facebook, would you please share the link for this event with history buffs and cemetery-loving pals? Here it is: FB Event - 6 Feet Under Texas 

4) Video: Oswald’s Grave in Texas
This video focuses on all the crazy events, controversy, and weird history surrounding the gravesite and burial of alleged presidential assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald, including: 

• Why he was buried in Ft Worth, not Dallas.

• The strange path of his stolen headstone.

• Why Oswald was exhumed and what they found 

• Why a stone for Nick Beef is next to his

• Who is actually buried in the unmarked grave by him.

...and much more! I hope you enjoy this video! 
 
Here's the video link. Please share on FB or with any history buffs you know:  Oswald’s Grave in Texas

5)  ICYMI: In Case You Missed It 

In case you missed it, my article for this month’s issue of American Cemetery and Cremation explains the history of US military markers as well as symbols you may encounter when looking for veterans graves.

Also: David Dewberry answered questions sent by newsletter readers about headstone preservation here: 

Part 1: Preservation Q&A with David Dewberry

Part 2: Before & After Preservation (And Cemetery Symbolism, too)

That's all for now. Until next time, if you have any questions or comments, please leave a comment, or email me directly at Tui@TuiSnider.com It's the best way to reach me. 

Ciao for now! ~Tui

p.s. I answer every email I get from newsletter readers! If you think yours has slipped through the cracks, please touch base with me. Sometimes emails get lost, or I miss them.