A 2 Hour Tour

Saturday morning Brie and I meet up with my Aunt Judy and Uncle Dale for a walking cemetery tour. As we made our way to St. Louis Cemetery #1 we stopped to admire various architecture in the French Quarter and hear stories from days passed. 

In the old, yet still active cemetery, we saw three possible tombs containing Marie Laveau's remains. Due to less than stellar records and the fact that the famous Voodoo priestess had multiple daughters with the same name, there is uncertainty as to which tomb truly holds the 19th century legend. 

Is she in this one?

Or maybe this one?

Could be this one:

All three tombs, which are scattered throughout the cemetery have offerings to the spirit of Ms. Laveau as well as "XXX" marked on them. We were told that people do this and request that a wish be granted from her. Since she was a hairdresser as well as a Voodoo priestess, there are a fair amount of cosmetics left as offerings. 

Judy & Dale along with other tour members listening to our guide. 

It was a really gorgeous day to be out walking and exploring.

A lot of the tombs are run down. This one was unique...and tall.

The guide explained that when a person passes away their body is placed in a coffin inside of a tomb where it is left for a year and one day. During this time due to the excessive heat in this area of the country the body is turned to ash. The ash is then transferred into an urn that is placed in the back of the tomb making room for the next family member's coffin when the time comes. This way multiple people can fit in one tomb. The above ground system of burial is used because the city is below or barely above sea level and bodies float, therefore putting them under ground would prove ineffective .

Scattered throughout the older vaults are newly constructed ones. Included among the newer styles is a rather large white pyramid shaped crypt that will one day be the resting place for Nicholas Cage.