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.

  The sighting of the Headless Horseman is a Halloween tradition at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery.

 Legendary actress Anne Bancroft is buried  in a shaded corner grave, across the way from her parents. Bancroft, who appeared on stage and screen,  portrayed  Anne Sullivan in  the Broadway production of The Miracle Worker for which she won a Tony Award for Best Actress. She reprised her role in  the 1962 film adaptation, this time winning an Oscar for Best Actress for her performance. One of her most famous roles was as Mrs. Robinson in The Graduate.  Bancroft was married to director, actor, and writer Mel Brooks. The grave of Bancroft's parents, Michael and Mildred Italiano.

  This summer I made a couple of trips to Ferncliff Cemetery in Hartsdale, New York. My first visit was solely to do research and take photos for an article I was working on for August's  American Cemetery & Cremation  magazine.  Ferncliff is known for their magnificent community mausoleums, as well as an extensive roster of notables. Within their mausoleums are a number of private rooms which contain stunning personalized stained-glass windows. With their intricate designs and vibrant colors, they add beauty and elegance to the sacred space. Exploring the community mausoleums and admiring the artistry brought back fond memories for me, because Ferncliff was the subject of my very first cemetery profile back in 1999. Here are some of the highlights of my exploration.  

  In the early 2oth century, D.W. Rohde was the secretary of the Fairlawn Cemetery (the cemetery was later incorporated into Valhalla's Gate of Heaven) Society in Westchester County. His tree-stump tombstone in Kensico Cemetery is creatively adorned.

As many of you already know, Green-Wood Cemetery is a truly special place. With its 478 acres of beauty and serenity, it is filled with untold stories. But G-W is not only a cemetery; it also supports social impact programs, including bee colonies.    To further such efforts, and help " maintain healthy honey bee colonies, which help pollinate Green-Wood's 478 acres and keep Brooklyn's natural environment healthy and diverse."  I'm looking to sponsor a beehive on the cemetery grounds. The cost of this sponsorship is $500, and we are raising money and awareness for the plight of honey bees. If 750 new G-W book orders are received by the end of September, book royalties will be contributed towards this cause. I would love for you to join me in helping the honey bees. and supporting this initiative, by purchasing a copy of Green-Wood Cemetery. The book itself is a photographic history of the cemetery, filled with rare archival photos and informational snippets about ...

On July 17, 1996, Trans World Airlines (TWA) Flight 800 took off from JFK International Airport for Rome. Within minutes, there was an explosion on board and the Boeing crashed into the Atlantic Ocean near East Moriches, Long Island. All 230 passengers were killed, making it the third-deadliest aviation accident in U.S. history. initial speculation was that the crash may have been the result of a terrorist attack. Investigations by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the FBI, and the Police Department's Joint Terrorism Task Force ensued. After 16 months, the investigation was concluded with no evidence of criminality.

  In the 19th century, Aaron Arnold partnered with James Constable, his son-in-law, to open Arnold Constable & Co. The department store soon became a mecca for America’s elite, counting Mary Todd Lincoln and Eleanor Roosevelt among its clientele. Their promise to offer shoppers “everything from cradle to grave,” was especially true during the Civil War when the store did a brisker than usual business in mourning clothes. Aaron Arnold and James Constable, are buried among other family members in underground vaults beneath a unique gazebo-like monument at the intersection of Atlantic and Elm avenues. One of the earliest lots sold after the cemetery opened, the property is mentioned in cemetery historian, Nehemiah Cleaveland's 1849's booklet Green-Wood: A Directory for Visitors. . Arnold, Constable & Co. closed in 1975. James M. Constable Dead

  My article 'Westchester in Repose' is the cover story for July's American Cemetery & Cremation' magazine. Stories and photos from Gate of Heaven, Ferncliff, Kensico, Sleepy Hollow, and more, are featured.  The memorial that graces the cover commemorates the life of 27-year-old Marc Antony Zambetti, who tragically lost his life while on a business trip for Stella D'Oro, his family's company.