Why do people put rocks on grave stones? Some time ago, I learned that the rocks signified a visitor. That is true enough, but I decided to learn a little more about the custom and share my findings with you. Putting rocks on tombstones is most often described as a Jewish custom. There are many "Ask a Rabbi" columns out there, but I did not find one that knew for sure where the custom originated. They all agreed, however, that a rock symbolized a visitor and when put on a tombstone said, "I remember you." I also read that some people pick up a rock wherever they are when they think of a person that has passed. Then, the next time they visit the grave, they place the rock to say, "I wish you were here." Rabbi Shraga Simmons offers a deeper meaning: "We are taught that it is an act of ultimate kindness and respect to bury someone and place a marker at the site. After a person is buried, of course, we can no longer participate in burying them. H...
I recently made another visit to Elko Cemetery in Houston County, Georgia and took some more photos. It was really too bright out for me to get great photos, but I didn't want to waste the opportunity. I revamped the whole Elko Cemetery page for the Houston County, GA American History & Genealogy Project and moved it to Southern Graves. I added more photos and transcriptions, a bit more history about the town of Elko, and a link to more photos and transcriptions from this cemetery.
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