Recently I read a newspaper (WSJ) article about a practice in some European countries as of yet not exported to our shores. It had to do with essentially the limited leasing of a grave site and when the lease “expired” the family may re-lease (rent) the site or if not, the grave site, minus the inhabitant, is available for the resting place of yet another, temporarily. This is possible since this cemetery is owned by the State and laws have been enacted to make this possible. And what happens to the earlier inhabitant? The State takes care of that in another location less grand. And what if the grave is already marked with an elaborate grave monument? It goes with the grave site and with the addition of your name; it could be yours… for a limited time depending of course on the payment of the rent if the initial occupant’s lease is not renewed. So if you do not object to spending part of eternity in a used grave, this might be for you.
But actually this column is more about a recent visit to the local grave site of a long time friend. I had seen the family tombstone earlier, impressive as I recall. I assumed that because of the prominence of the deceased that there might be an equally appropriate marker erected at his grave after all he had been a well known community leader, a respected professional and ranking military officer, a recognized elected political leader and one active in many religious and civic roles. When I visited the resting place, my expectation was to see recognition of these achievements carved in marble as a reminder to the observer of his worldly successes. What did I see?
Stick with me here. I once read of a contest that asked contestants to judge the most impressive packaging found in a large store. Many felt the one recognized object would surely be something colorful, clever and widely recognized by even the most casual observer. But the winner was: an egg! Its most important winning, packaging attribute was among others its simplicity.
What I witnessed at the grave site of my friend was not anything monumentally pretentious, elaborate or spectacular as one might have reasonably expected to see, perhaps an obituary listing of his many notable accomplishments and in a way, justifiably acceptable. What I saw was something very simple yet impressive.
Despite a life filled with many crowning successes, what was on this standard issue, small, marble grave marker?
MARION H. KINON
BG US ARMY
1929 2014
A life well lived needs no further explanation.
Bill Lee, PO Box 128, Hamer, SC 29547
