Many teenagers go through a phase where they are interested in the strange and unusual (or at least my friends and I did). This often leads to experimenting with Ouija boards, chanting Bloody Mary into mirrors, trying to levitate friends with a “light as a feather” chant, and exploring cemeteries at night. For many, this is their first and last foray into the unknown. Some will eventually grow out of it, some get spooked, and others just become bored with the lack of phenomena and move on to other pursuits. Then there are those of us that get the bug and end up spending way too much time in the company of the strange. We eventually leave behind these initial explorations for different paranormal adventures but some still want to know if there are spirits in the cemetery. The question becomes is the cemetery the right place to search? 

Cemeteries and graveyards are important places in our culture. They are where we take our loved ones to rest after they pass on from this life. We tend to understand that this is a quiet place for mourning and reflection. While there was a period of time in America when people would spend sunny afternoons picnicking among the headstones, this has fallen out of fashion and it can be seen by some as disrespectful to conduct yourself any way but with quiet respect while walking the grounds. (I will note that there are still cultures that will spend a day happily amongst their dead but Americans are a bit more uptight about the whole death thing.) All of this is to say that showing up in a cemetery with a REMpod, dowsing rods, or spirit box likely isn’t going to go over very well with anyone else visiting or working at the cemetery. 

So is it ever OK to investigate these places? Cemeteries and graveyards are the one place you are guaranteed to find dead people so it seems like a logical place to try to communicate. Is it possible to do so in a way that isn’t disrespectful? I’m going to say yes in the most cautious way that I can. It is possible to do this BUT there are some things you need to take into consideration before you pursue this route of investigation. 

• Ask yourself why you want to investigate this particular cemetery or graveyard? Do you have a really good reason? (General curiosity is not a really good reason, there are plenty of places you can investigate and ruffle WAY less feathers.)
• Have you talked to the people who work at the location to get an understanding of how they feel about having investigators on the property?
  • Special note for burial grounds associated with other cultures (ex. Native American): These sites are regarded as sacred and should not be investigated without a thorough conversation with the people directly associated with the site. You are very unlikely to get permission to investigate these locations and should not trespass on these sites (or any site for that matter).  
• Ask yourself (and at least 3 other people) “is this disrespectful”? Don’t pick people who will immediately agree with you. Ask some people who will challenge your suggestion and be prepared to explain why you want to investigate this location. 
• Do you just want to chat because you think the dead are lonely? If so, that is fine. You do not need equipment for this and you do not need to record it to share with the world. Investigations should include several environmental devices to help pin down the cause of paranormal phenomena and without all of these devices, you are just chatting and not investigating. 

If after all of this you decide that this investigation is going to happen (and you have full permission to be on the property after dark) then you need to think about how best to go about conducting a respectful investigation. Here are my thoughts based on my own experience working with a cemetery. 

• With an employee present (one that would be very familiar to the property) introduce yourself, the people with you, and the purpose for your visit. 
• Be very clear on what you are asking for from anyone who may hear your voice and do not demand anything. 
• Offer the option to participate or not. This is a place of rest and anyone residing on that property has a right to that rest. 
• Explain any device you use and why you are using it. 
• Be compassionate and understand that this is not normal for the location. Cemeteries and graveyards are not investigated in the same way as places like Waverly Hills and they require a different approach. 
• Use language which is appropriate for the location. 
• Do not yell, scream, run, or anything else that will be seen as being overly dramatic. If you are allowed in one of these locations, you are expected to be a professional. 
• Carry everything on your person and do not leave anything behind. You are visiting and should make your presence as non-threatening as possible. 
• Choose your devices based on your ultimate goal and do not take more than you need. 
• Leave if you are asked to leave. There is no negotiation here. Just pack up your things, thank those who have communicated, and leave. 

I do not take investigations of cemeteries or graveyards lightly. These are one of the few remaining places that our society has agreed to keep sacred. Gaining access to one of these places means that you are trusted to cause no harm and be 100 percent professional at all times. Breaking this trust is why investigators are not allowed in many places so do not take this lightly. I want to reiterate what I say often, if we are dealing with dead people, they deserve to be respected as people. They are not circus monkeys for our amusement and may be very confused by what is occurring. Be empathetic and respectful at all times. If you have gotten to the point of calling yourself a paranormal investigator, you are not a silly teen trying to scare yourself in the cemetery but are a dedicated investigator of the unknown. Act as such. 

Until next time, be respectful and happy hunting!