Is Walking in a Cemetery Rude

I don't think it's disrespectful at all. A few weeks ago I was watching my grand children and we visited my dad (their papa). We parked outside the cemetery and the kids rode their scooters on the paved walkways to the grave. Death is a part of life and I know my dad would have loved seeing the kids riding their scooters being kids.

It isn't rude if you stay on the roads but I wouldn't bring kids. Can you just imagine you are there to visit a loved one and there are these kids running around exploring?

Like everything it is a matter of respect for the people that are there.
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Just an FYI since my ex and by proxy my son's family owns cemeteries and funeral homes, that is private property. We have had complaints from families before, first we speak to the people explaining that there have been complaints and that they are not welcome to use out cemetery as a park. That usually works, we have never had to call the police but since it is private property a cemetery can call the police.

My point from above is as long as you are not treating it as a park, people tend not to complain. If people complain the cemetery will side with the owners of the plots.

The fact is cemeteries are not parks. That is privately owned land.

Yes if you're talking about going near or between the gravesites. A cemetary isn't there for recreational activities.

Interesting question, P.; I wonder what's behind it? Did you do this and someone called you out on it?

We visit cemeteries more than most folks of our generation, I think (both historic ones and current ones, since we go "visit the relatives," and my brother does a lot to maintain some precious family graves in one small cemetery).

I would not have an issue with anyone walking through a cemetery for exercise or otherwise. Jogging might depend -- some of the jogging gear I see on folks here is not what I'd consider appropriate to wear in a place where someone might be visiting a grave, so I likely would have a negative gut reaction to seeing that; jogging in something appropriate, and not within sight of a funeral talking place or someone clearly visiting a grave site, would probably not bug me. I think the key would be the walker or runner being very respectful and cooling it immediately when in sight of someone who is at a gravesite, and never doing it within sight of a funeral.

I know a lot of folks of the older generation would have a huge issue with this, though, and I think their sensibilities should trump any exercise.

We exercise a lot of courtesy at cemeteries and don't go there for exercise, but we do walk among (not directly over) the graves at times (which is essential to reach certain graves in some cemeteries). Still I would not be too worried by judiciously done exercise on the perimeter, on paths, but not immediately in the area of graves.

A lot depends on the particular cemetery, too. Some actually have rules against anyone jogging, doing recreation, playing ball etc. in them -- you might want to check that out and see if the cemetery in question has such rules. Others have paths around the perimeter that practically invite exercise.

If you are talking about going around a cemetery with the kids for a brisk walk that's dandy and it is a chance to teach your kids not to think of cemeteries as scary or strange places. It also gives you an opportunity to slow down a bit and show your kids the tombstones and discuss history and the lives of others, and the reality of life and death. Our daughter actually enjoys cemeteries and finds them peaceful and fascinating. Last weekend we went to a cemetery just to see the grave of the founder of her school, and to pay our respects there.

I've always enjoyed walking in a cemetery. When I was little, my grandma taught me how to rub etchings from the more worn out stones so I could see what they said.

I don't think there's anything wrong with walking or jogging in a cemetery. And I don't think there's anything wrong with bringing the kids to explore and look around. Just ensure that everyone is respectful of the property and the other visitors. It's not a park. No climbing or rough-housing.

I used to live near some fascinating, historical cemeteries and we would explore them from time to time. I found it interesting to read what people put on their markers/headstones, or in some cases what someone wrote for themselves (one that we found interesting was more of a pyramid than a stone, and told his WHOLE life story). You could find trends like tons of people passing away around the same age or close to the same time and then could look up what was going on at that time to learn some history: a plague, a huge fire that took out half the port, etc. I don't have a problem with people walking through the cemetery, as a matter of fact as long as they are respectful and stay away from me if I'm there to visit a grave, it's good because our loved ones will be "seen" and not forgotten for people to read about them.

Walking would be fine, and if it's a large enough one to have a path then jogging would be fine if they stay to the path (jogging is a little more "visible" if that makes sense....like walking through a nursing home or jogging through a nursing home....one is considered normal and one would draw attention). We have no problem with death, and cemeteries, we have used it as a way to discuss things with some young teenagers before (what would you want to be remembered for, what kind of person do you want to be, what do you want to accomplish in this life kind of talks).

But you must take into account that while sometimes death is just a thing.....not everyone has passed away gently in their sleep at a very old age. Sometimes there are people who are grieving, hurting, having a very hard time saying goodbye, because sometimes death is sudden and tragic. My husband had 2 blood clots that we did not know about, gotten from a back surgery 11 months before, and had a sudden VERY serious stroke with no warning at all. The doctors told me he wouldn't make it through the night. I am young, my children are only 6 and 3, and he is my best friend as well as my husband, I love him completely, he is the father of my very small children, he is the main bread winner, etc, etc, etc. Thankfully, God intervened and there was a miracle that happened that night and he is ok. Getting better everyday. But now that the crisis is over, I've had time to think about what would have happened, the huge void in our lives if he just disappeared suddenly. So keep in mind there may be people there who may be hurting even if they look fine on the outside. Don't draw attention to yourself, be respectful of people who are there trying to work things out for themselves, stay far away from funerals services. Basically, use common sense and be respectful of others.

Not rude at all.
Just treat it with respect - don't walk your dog there.
Cemeteries are fascinating!
It's a great way to learn about the past.
In a cemetery near where my Mom lives, they have head stones which go back several hundred years and there are ethnic sections - Italian, Polish, Irish, etc.
In the old Italian section the fashion used to be where a picture of the deceased was preserved on the tombstone - you can see how people looked, what they wore, etc.

Are there no other parks where you can walk or jog?
No, I wouldn't do it.
While I don't think it's blatantly disrespectful, I would be a bit PO'd if I went to the cemetery to visit my loved one and some woman came by huffing and puffing with her little kids whining about it.
I am SURE there are other places you could go.
L.

I think taking a thoughtful, contemplative walk through a cemetery is wonderful. But to use a cemetery solely as a running trail, as a personal gym? I personally think that's pushing it a bit.

P.:

In Fitchburg, MA?! HECK NO!!! I'm sure you've got grave markers going back to the 1700's if not before!!!

No, I don't think it's rude or disrespectful to walk in a cemetery. If you are running OVER the graves instead of in between them? I might find it rude..but really - they are dead...they aren't going to feel it.

It's a fact of life...you can't get out of it alive...

Would I walk through a cemetery with my children? Yes. I have and I will. We go to Arlington National Cemetery to pay respects to those we have lost....

You might find something interesting there!

If you live in an area with other options, I'd certainly choose another place. After all, that is indeed hallowed ground.

If you do walk through a cemetery as a form of exercise, or even as a shortcut, I'd use that time to pray for the souls of the deceased (if that is part of your belief structure), or for their families

Since none of the "residents" will even know you're there, I don't see the problem.
Just don't use a headstone to do hamstring stretches if someone is there placing flowers in front of it.

No. I used to walk and ride my bike there as a kid. It was peaceful. I just stayed clear of any paths that had a funeral going on.

I've never seen anyone do it, but I don't think it's disrespectful, as long as you are being mindful of the people there visiting gravesites. I think because I live in the Chicago area, there are usually so many other places to run that it's not really necessary. The city I live in has three cemeteries that are run/owned by the township, so technically they are public property and I don't think anyone could make you leave.

No. GoTo to a gym or a park!

Not in my mind. Death is a part of life. We honor our loved ones by placing them in a place where we can visit. Being respectful means not littering, vandalizing, etc. I did teach my children not to walk where the bodies are buried or to climb on headstones.

If a cemeterian is a good business owner, it's welcomed and encouraged.

http://beautyofeverydaylife.blogspot.com/2012/01/spring-g...

http://www.oakwoodcemetery.org/cal_events.html

Cemeteries are full of history and smart business owners promote that.
Just be respectful, stay on the marked through ways and don't leave ANY mess behind. Of course, defer to any visitors, ceremonies, etc.
kind of like you wouldn't walk your Basset Hound through the center of a gazebo where a wedding is being performed at a public park!

No, not at all. We walk through cemeteries all the time as there is a beautiful one right down the street from us. There is always people walking the paths, etc.... And my kids come with all the time.

I do not think it is rude. A cemetery means different things to different people. As long as you are not stomping or running on the graves, sitting on the headstones.. Or in the way of the visitors, I think cemetery's are very beautiful parks. What a waste not to use them during happy times in our lives too.

We did not have sidewalks when our daughter was young.The cemetery is very close to our home. So we would go to the undeveloped areas and have her practice riding her bike. We saw people there and they would wave and smile.

We see people running, power walking in that cemetery all of the time..

The kids and I like to visit cemeteries, walk around and read the graves. We enjoy doing this and the kids understand that it is a solemn place and we aren't there to play. So while I would say it is fine to walk in the cemetery, and bring kids, I don't think exercising or playing is appropriate.

Walking, fine. No jogging though.

In your title I saw walking and was prepared to say it was fine, then I saw "jogging," "exercise," and "kids." Sorry, parks are for what you describe, cemeteries are hallowed ground, a place for people to come and pay their respects.

I believe death is a part of life, have taught my kids and grandkids this. But, if any of them decided to start "exercising" in a cemetery we were in, they'd hear me say "Stop." I also did a search on jogging in cemeteries and there's those who think it's fine and those who don't. I did find that Arlington National Cemetery does not allow jogging as exercise in the cemetery, question 11 -
http://www.arlingtoncemetery.mil/ContactUs/FAQ.aspx?Topic=2

I feel it's disrespectful, maybe because I'm of the "older generation", 60, I wouldn't do it, with kids or without. Just my opinion, but then again, ANC agrees with me.

We used to live near a public cemetery in the center of our city and I took the kids for walks there a lot. No running was allowed anywhere except the pathways and it was easily 10-15 degrees cooler due to the large trees in the summer. It's not uncommon for people to just walk/jog around cemeteries here.

Walking no problem. Just be respectful of the graves. Running? Pathways I think would be ok.

No, I don't think it's disrespectful at all. We walk with our kids in cemeteries from time to time to look at the markers and wonder about the people and families. Sometimes, if a marker is particularly pretty or interesting, we'll do rubbings. And there is a large cemetery near our house that has letterboxing sites in it. We make sure we're not running crazy, bothering others, or playing frisbee or anything, but I don't see anything wrong with it.

My home backs to a small cemetery. Lots of people walk in it. School kids go there every year to do rubbings of the older stones with crayons and paper. Twice a year the historical society has informative walks there where citizens portray historical figures who are buried there and they talk about the history of our town. People ride bikes through it, jog in it and walk there. When my kids were younger we would walk in it and look at the various headstones.

Personally I've also jogged in it, but only if there is nobody visiting a grave. If there were, I would just walk out. I see lots of people walking in it for exercise -- many of them have loved ones buried there. I don't see anything wrong with it as long as you're being respectful and quiet.

I used to eat lunch at the cemetery when I was younger. I loved getting to know the "people" there. Frankly, I wondered if they enjoyed some company as well as many don't get a lot of visitors. I didn't do it often and I was respectful to visitors and to the "residents."

I think a cemetery is a place of beauty - the beginnings of a better place. Granted I don't plan to take my LOs there anytime soon. It was just something I did as a teenager when I felt the need for company and quiet contemplation. Not sure if I would have walked/jogged but again, maybe the "residence" there would enjoy some company =)

I don't think that it's disrespectful unless you do something to the markers. I was always taught to not walk on the area in front of the markers (graves), so I still don't as an adult. We take our children up to Virginia City (Nevada) (a revised ghost town that was settled in the early 1800's). The graveyards are fascinating and the kids like to read the markers. It never ceases to amaze them how young people died back then. So, no. I don't think it's bad at all.

Happy jogging!

I think walking through is fine (even if it's kind of a brisk power walk), as is some contemplative time or even reading under a tree, as long as you are not sitting or walking on graves. I also think historical activities (gravestone rubbing or researching dates and historical figures, for example) are fine. I live near Boston, and you see tons of people at the historic burying grounds and these places are on the marked historical tourist routes. There are a few isolated graves in some major public parks, which are used for exercise, roller blading, picnicking and more. But there are no active funerals and, in fact, none of the immediate survivors are alive anymore either.

I think an "active" cemetery with more recent burials might be a different thing. If you are walking through with a stroller or a wagon of kids, fine. There's a historic cemetery in my town with a sidewalk that is purely a cut-through between two streets. I suppose it was originally there to give cemetery access from the 2 different sides, but it's fine for people to cut through. I've never seen active jogging though and the school cross country teams never go through this or the other 2 cemeteries in town.

But I agree it is not a public park, it's not "open space" and it is hallowed ground, and should be regarded as such.

Moreover, if you go early (or late) when there are no other people, be aware that cemeteries are prime locations for predators looking to attack someone. A friend was severely beaten in a cemetery - it's a good place for someone who observes your routine to lurk undisturbed and for any calls for help to not be heard. Same thing goes for isolated sections of large public parks.

I hope not! I've walked with my little ones when I visit my in-laws. They have a huge rolling hills area that is just beautiful. Minimal vehical traffic, shaded, lots of birds and critters, and amazing time to answer some of those deep questions. We stay out of the way if there is any active burial or mass greiving, but otherwise...

I don't think it is rude at all.

The only thing I would do is be conscientious of people visiting loved ones... Maybe alter your course a bit to go around them.