Remembering Kathleen "Katie" Karrick - Cleveland's Cemetery Lady

 Sharing my Find A Grave memorial dedicated to Kathleen "Katie" Karrick, a well known cemetery historian and grave marker symbolism expert to many in Cleveland and Cuyahoga County.  

Katie's work was also recognized well beyond those borders.  She was popularly known as "Cleveland's Cemetery Lady."  

Katie worked at Cleveland's historic Lake View Cemetery from April, 1992 - September, 2013 - 21+ years.  She was a researcher who provided informative presentations of the symbolic meaning of the Wade Memorial Chapel, which has an interior designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany.

Katie developed and presented slide lectures for Lake View Cemetery Speaker’s Bureau.

She also contributed to the association's newsletter, “The Heritage.” 

In 1998, Katie started the "Stones & Bones" Tours at some of Cleveland's oldest cemeteries.  She extended her program with guided tours in cemeteries throughout Ohio.  

In 2000, Katie started the Ohio Cemetery Preservation Society. 

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On September 10, 2010 I attended a presentation hosted by the Bedford Historical Society where Katie was featured as a main speaker.  I took notes that evening.  I would like to share a few of them I took as she spoke.  

• • Katie began by explaining that the early settlers buried their dead near where they worshipped.  She stated how overcrowded graveyards had become a source for diseases and because of that over time people began to establish them outside of populated areas. 

    This type of location change was part of what became known as the rural cemetery movement.  She said by 1845 dozens of rural cemeteries were in various stages of development. 

     Photo examples were shown of round-topped upright tablet style markers that appeared to be abutting each other in groupings of two and three, however, they were actually single monuments.  The markers appeared to be of white marble.  Katie said these markers were for siblings. 

    Katie made us aware that the Victorians felt nature had a vital connection with cemeteries.  
  • Thus, many garden cemeteries and landscaped cemeteries coming on the scene incorporated such aspects as curving paths and roadways.  She said they wanted to have a ‘view of their own city’ so many cemeteries were built on hillsides or on land where the city could be seen from the burial ground areas.

    She cited how roses carved in a stone denoted it was for a female while acorns and leaves were carved on stones for males.  

  • Often the anchor was created on a stone to convey the message of hope.  

  • A broken column on the front of a monument told the story of a life that was cut short.  

  • Weeping willow tree carvings on stones became quite popular.  

  • Examples of these can be seen today at several older cemeteries in Ohio.  

  • Reclining lambs carved atop small stone and marble markers for young children and babies symbolize their innocence.

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  • Other monument photos included in Katie’s presentation were examples of zinc markers and monuments also known as "white bronze".  Katie said these were sold as an inexpensive alternative to stone.  In reality, however, the zinc material held up better.  Many such monuments remain in excellent condition today and can be seen in several cemeteries throughout Ohio.  The monuments were constructed in panels that are removable. I must add that her photographs of these uniquely ornate and statuesque monuments became my favorites!  

  • From the audience’s interest and participation, it was evident that most left the cemetery workshop with an enriched knowledge of the meanings of several examples of funerary symbolism that will serve them in good stead on each cemetery visit. 

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    • Thank you Katie for being an inspiration to those of us who have followed you and your work!