Gardens of Stone --- A Cemetery Blog by Alexandra Kathryn Mosca

I came upon the grave of Dr. Auguste Renouard quite by accident when I was working on my Green-Wood Cemetery book. And, of course, I included a photo of it in the book.   Considered "the father of arterial embalming."  Renouard's monument is a tribute to him and notes: E rected by the Funeral Directors and Embalmers of the United States in Recognition of the Valuable Services of August Renouard in Advancing the Science of the Preservation of the Dead. Trained as a medical doctor, he developed a keen interest in embalming, writing often on the subject for funeral industry trade journals. In 1878, Renouard published what is said to be the first embalming textbook, 'The Undertaker's Manual.' Several years later, he opened The Renouard Training School for Embalmers in New York City. The mortuary school had a stellar reputation for turning out some of the most skilled embalmers of the time. Dr, Renouard died on March 13, 1912. Three years after Renouard's death...

  Mary Higgins Clark, known as the 'Queen of Suspense,' was a beloved and prolific writer in the mystery and suspense genre for over four decades. With more than 50 books to her name, many of which were adapted into movies, Clark had a profound impact on the literary world.  After discovering that she was laid to rest in Westchester's Gate of Heaven Cemetery, I set out one summer afternoon to find her grave. Though initially mistaken by a similar Clark monument, I eventually located her final resting place in a bucolic and shady grove. Higgins died at the age of 92 and was buried with her first husband, Warren.