How to (Properly) Investigate a Cemetery
If you’re like me, you love to escape on a bright, sunny day to the peace of a cemetery. You’re drawn to the calm, the history, or just the beauty of the artwork on the tombstones. OR, if you’re even MORE like me, you want to walk through the cemetery at night, voice recorder and night cameras rolling, hoping to catch that elusive apparition or disembodied voice.
Before you grab your equipment and rush out under the light of the moon, there are some things you need to take care of first. Get permission. Most cemeteries have a “dawn to dusk” policy for visitors. If you plan on walking through in the dark, get permission first, or you may find yourself visited by the local police.
The next step in a successful cemetery investigation is a safety check. I know, dull, dull, dull, but necessary...and always in the daylight. Look for any potential hazards. Is the ground uneven? Are there any sunken areas? Broken asphalt? Team safety comes ahead of anything else. Also, as you look around, note any metal fences, irrigation pipes or reinforced concrete walls, as
3 SPS members investigating Fantinekill Cemetery in Ellenville, NY. Our team deemed this cemetery “very active” during our daylight investigations!
Gnome Lugosi the ghost hunting dog of SPS & Kat investigating Chester A. Stanton cemetery in Wurtsboro, NY! Our team deemed this cemetery inactive.
well as overhead power lines. These could all influence EMF readings. Get a baseline reading before considering any “spikes” as indications of paranormal activity.
Be aware of any passing traffic and the “natural” sounds of the area. If you are on a night investigation, make note of any passing cars as the lights can be confused as light anomalies. Take note of any street lights in the area.
A few things to think about as you do your walkthrough--Is there any ghost lore associated with this cemetery? Are there any unmarked graves? Are any graves abandoned, neglected or overgrown? Is there any opening in the wall or fence surrounding the cemetery? Any large monuments? Famous/infamous people buried there? EMF or EVP anomalies? Do cell phones not work in certain areas? Anything out of place? Are birds/animals especially loud or silent? Any unusual tombstones/markings? Are any warmer or colder to the touch than they should be? Make note of anything unusual and then see if other groups come up with the same conclusions.
Above all, be respectful in all that you say and do in every investigation. Treat the living as well as the dead the way you would like to be treated. You’ll be surprised at your results.
