A Cemetery Special

A Cemetery Special is a unique documentary produced by Rick Sebak for PBS in 2005. This creative and unusual television special is not necessarily about death or final resting places, but instead, it takes a look at a unique American institution - the cemetery - and how it can provide insights into our culture, history, and collective psyche.

The show is a break from the usual programming and often heavily loaded drama that is commonly associated with cemeteries. Instead of focusing on morbidity or dreading the inevitable, A Cemetery Special examines the cemetery's fascinating aspect that is often overlooked - it’s inherent beauty, historical relevance, and connection with the community. In this program, Sebak tours some of the most interesting and distinct graveyards in America, revealing the diverse ways people approach their mortality and commemorate the departed.

The documentary presents each cemetery, not as a place of gloom, but as spaces rich in history, nature, and craftsmanship. It celebrates these spaces as outdoor galleries featuring art and architecture that reflect the time they were made and the sentiments of the people who commissioned them. It visualizes the cemetery as a quiet place where anyone can escape the hustle and bustle of modern urban life, and be alone with their thoughts in a serene and picturesque landscape.

A Cemetery Special takes viewers on a journey to several stunning cemeteries across the United States, each with its own unique characteristics and allure. Among the cemeteries featured are the famous Laurel Hill cemetery in Philadelphia, known for its beautiful sculptures, and the Sleepy Hollow cemetery in New York, known for its connection with Washington Irving’s legendary Headless Horseman tale.

Moreover, the documentary ventures into the renowned Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, which is celebrated for its remarkable collection of mausoleums. The Showman's Rest section in Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Chicago, dedicated to circus performers, gives an intriguing gaze into an unusual piece of Americana. The touching Normandy American Cemetery in France is also part of the special, highlighting cemeteries' international appeal.

With an amiable approach, Sebak engages with a variety of people who work and visit these cemeteries. The encounters reveal the heartwarming stories that humanize these formal places. The individuals' narratives, coupled with a host's passionate storytelling, effectively draw the curtain back on some of the most striking architectural styles and landscaping arts that define American cemeteries.

Through the show, Rick Sebak deciphers cemetery symbolism and design and emphasizes the cultural significance of remembering and honoring the dead. He spotlights the varied ways that different cultures treat death, from grand mausoleums and ornate tombstones to simpler burial grounds, which all serve as reminders of the transient nature of life.

Not just a tour, the narrative is interspersed with interesting trivia, making it an enriching educational experience. The documentary goes beyond exploring the habits of famous and ordinary deceased citizens, as it focuses on the artistry, culture, history, and varying attitudes toward death that different communities demonstrate.

The indisputable allure of A Cemetery Special comes from its approach to a subject that most tend to avoid. It draws the viewer into a profound yet lighthearted discussion about mortality while articulating the development of these cities of the dead, offering a historical perspective of how people continue to memorialize and pay respect to their loved ones.

A Cemetery Special doesn’t depict cemeteries as dreary or eerie places, nor does it attempt to provoke existential dread in its viewers. Instead, it redefines the cemetery as a place not just of sorrow and loss, but also of remembrance, peace, history, and even beauty. By providing thoughtful insights and poignant perspectives, it successfully turns a somewhat macabre subject into an enlightening exploration of heritage and identity.

Whether you're a history buff, cultural enthusiast, or simply like to embrace different perspectives, A Cemetery Special offers an engaging and informative view on an aspect of human existence that's often shrouded in mystery and misconceptions.