In The Event That...

You Don't Have a Pulse

by Erin Brodbeck

The Victorian Celebration of Death

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The Victorian era, spanning the mid- to late-19th century, was known for its elaborate, artistic gravestones, many of which are on display at Laurel Hill Cemetery. This Sunday, history buffs and Cure-lovin' goth kids can revel in the morbidity during the "Victorian Celebration of Death" lecture and tour.

The event will kick off with info about the customs of Victorian funerals, such as traditional dress, ceremonial practices and headstone symbolism. The era's artisans relied heavily on imagery when designing grave markers, using broken columns to indicate a sudden death or damaged urns to represent a violent death.

"These are more than simple grave markers," says Gwen Kaminski, manager of education and outreach at Laurel Hill. "Each symbol has a specific meaning."

After the lecture, guides Ed and Mary Quinn will lead groups through the cemetery, where they'll see examples of work from the period. Other stops on the tour include a visit to the graves of notable people buried at Laurel Hill, including painter Thomas Sully and Louis Antoine Godey, who founded the weekly magazine that later became the Saturday Evening Post.

Sun., Feb. 11, 2 p.m., $8-$15, The Underground Museum at Laurel Hill Cemetery, 3822 Ridge Ave., 215-228-8200