Blog

Burial Day Books is a boutique publisher of supernatural horror. Once a week we research a particular element dealing with superstition, folklore or myth and write a short piece about that element from the Gravedigger’s perspective. These elements were sometimes used somewhere in a previous horror story in history. Or, these elements could have been pulled from particular ideals, or from items that illicit fear. We may also discuss curious traditions that we feel admirers of horror, and beyond, would enjoy learning. Our blogs, while written from a fictional character ‘s perspective, are non-fictional. Overall, our blogs discuss true beliefs, phenomena, practices or customs.

Dystopian Fiction

I’m not particularly a raving fan of post-apocalyptic or dystopian fiction. I feel as though those genres, while falling

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

I have been very fascinated lately with this idea of perception. Is what we perceive ourselves to be what is

Lucky Rabbit’s Foot

DISCLAIMER: The following blog outlines some folklore practices. Burial Day Books does not condone the harming of any animals. In

Happy Saint Valentine's Day!

The rose is red, the violet's blue, The honey's sweet, and so are you. Thou art my love and I

The Woman in Black

Work at the grounds has reached an uncomfortable level of stress. I insist that I love our cemetery and all

Happy Birthday Edgar Allan Poe!

We are in Baltimore to celebrate the life of one of the greatest American literary figures in history, our

The Devil Inside

The holiday season is over, and I am pleased because the shops are no longer full of manic individuals.

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah! Happy Winter Solstice! Happy Yule! Merry Christmas! This is a great time of year! It is a time

Seven years of bad luck

Broken Mirror The Undertaker and I have not yet put up our Christmas tree as we have been busy. We

Salt away the bad luck

Millions of us enjoyed a lovely dinner with family on Thanksgiving Day. Even I enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with

« Previous 1 … 11 12 13 14 15 … 17 Next »

Dystopian Fiction

I’m not particularly a raving fan of post-apocalyptic or dystopian fiction. I feel as though those genres, while falling into what some may call speculative fiction is ultimately the realm of Science Fiction and my preference is truly all things horror. However, I must recognize a good work of fiction when I read it and so I admit, there are indeed thrilling examples of dystopian fiction, many of which are being produced in our time.

Fiction, especially horror and speculative fiction, tends to reflect modern day’s anxieties. I suppose that could be said for all works of art but horror and science fiction do an interesting thing in that they elevate fears and put us in the scenario of “What if…”

You can look around and see that many of our modern day fears are indeed heightened in works of fiction. Our fear of chemical warfare and widespread illness is evident in the explosion of fiction regarding zombies. Our worries of socio-political declines, warfare, population controls and dwindling of natural resources is present in ever-evolving story lines about the end of days. Then there is the dystopian society, and this seems to be showing up everywhere, from novels to film. (more…)

Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde

I have been very fascinated lately with this idea of perception. Is what we perceive ourselves to be what is indeed presented to others? There is often a lot of talk regarding appropriateness; what is or what is not acceptable social behavior. Whether about in a social gathering or at work we fall into societally prescribed patterns of behavior. For example, I have found myself in social situations, here at the funeral home, typically during a service, where people prattle on and on about their jobs with such gusto that I begin to wonder ‘Do they really believe that they are happy in their profession? Or do they just feel as though they need to put on this persona of satisfaction?’ Perhaps I am a pessimist, but I am a Gravedigger, therefore I am a realist.

The other day I reread Robert Louis Stevenson’s Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde. This novella was originally published in 1886 and was sold for one shilling, and to this day there are still references of “Jekyll and Hyde” when noting a person who exhibits contradictory moral behavior from one situation to the next.

Some analysis has said that the novella speaks to modern conditions of dual personalities or split personality disorder. Yet, I prefer the civilized versus animalistic interpretations of the story. If you do not know the story, then be warned as the major plot point will be grazed over next. (more…)

Lucky Rabbit’s Foot

DISCLAIMER: The following blog outlines some folklore practices. Burial Day Books does not condone the harming of any animals. In fact, the Gravedigger is a vegan and loves animals very, very, very much.

I received some terrible news today. The news was so terrible that I could not even attend to my chores. The day was perfect for cleaning and polishing headstones but I just could not bring myself to do anything. I communicated my depressed news to the Undertaker. He had just received a new resident. I asked if he would mind leaving the client in the freezer for just a bit longer before embalming. The Undertaker is not one to lightly step away from his work, but he obliged with a nod.

It was a bright, warm day and the remnants of the last snow fall melted before us as we drove through the streets. I did not have a particular destination in mind, but the Undertaker drove and listened patiently as I communicated my sad news. As always, he told me not to worry. When we got back to the cemetery from our drive, and after he parked the hearse the Undertaker dug into his pocket and handed me a rabbit’s foot. “You’ll be fine Gravedigger,” he said. “You just need a little extra luck.” (more…)

Happy Saint Valentine’s Day!

The rose is red, the violet’s blue,
The honey’s sweet, and so are you.
Thou art my love and I am thine;
I drew thee to my Valentine:
The lot was cast and then I drew,
And Fortune said it shou’d be you.

We have had had plenty of hearts pass through our doors here. These poor hearts enter our funeral home still, having not beaten for days. The Undertaker takes great care to care for each and every heart that has ever entered Burial Day. Today is particularly a tough day for The Undertaker. Perhaps it’s all of the heart-shaped imagery, or perhaps it’s just that today is meant to be a day of visual affection and The Undertaker is not a particularly affectionate individual. (more…)

The Woman in Black

Work at the grounds has reached an uncomfortable level of stress. I insist that I love our cemetery and all of the visitors that we have visit us during the day and night. However, after an increase in services the Undertaker thought it would be nice to take me yet again to the cinema. With the amount of work I have wasting time away at the theater was not something I thought I could afford, but when he mentioned to me that The Woman in Black would be there I grew thrilled!

Now, most cemeteries have a woman in white. Many haunted roads and haunted houses have a woman as white as well, but a woman in black, well that is a rarity. However, when we arrived at the movie show the marquee read “The Woman in Black.” When I asked the Undertaker to explain he said simply that I would be very pleased with this film because “It will feel like home.”

Firstly, The Woman in Black was a novel written by Susan Hill. Read it. You must. Secondly, this film does what so many horror movies wished they could do – capture the true essence of horror. Set in the Victorian period, the movie’s heavy macabre atmosphere, lavish vintage details – actual Victorian era black and white photographs, porcelain dolls, family portraits, and an actual lived in estate that took nearly a week to be prepped for filming are all examples of the level of detail that went into this film. The preparation for the estate for example included overgrown vegetation, grimy windows, clutter, cobwebs and layers upon layers of dust fit for long dark corridors, creaking doors, and disembodied voices.

The Woman in Black is easily one of the best horror films I have seen in quite some time. Its terror rests in the simplicity of vengeance and a tortured spirit that seeks ruin. Isn’t all horror simply that? The fight between light and dark?

Soon we will talk more about Victorian funerary and death customs. Now my friends do see this film.

-Gravedigger

(more…)

Happy Birthday Edgar Allan Poe!

We are in Baltimore to celebrate the life of one of the greatest American literary figures in history, our dear and beloved Edgar Allan Poe!

After a fourteen hour drive we have once again returned to this great city and will once again hold vigil at the Westminster Hall and Burying Ground. As many of you know, for over 60 years a mysterious figure has visited the gravesite of our dear Mr. Poe in the early morning hours of Poe’s birthday leaving a tribute of three red roses and a bottle of cognac. To date, no one knows who this person is or why they have continued to pay this tribute. For the past two years, the mysterious Poe Toaster has failed to show only adding more questions to the legacy of Poe. (more…)

The Devil Inside

The holiday season is over, and I am pleased because the shops are no longer full of manic individuals. Things around the graveyard have been quiet and so the Undertaker and I will be going to the cinema this evening to watch a film titled The Devil Inside. Demonic horror films are their own sub-genre of the horror movie. You have the gold standard The Exorcist that was released in 1973, whose memory continues to haunt individuals today. There is also 1979’s The Amityville Horror, 2005’s The Exorcism of Emily Rose, 2010’s The Last Exorcism and 2011’s The Rite. Interestingly, since The Exorcism traumatized audiences with spewing split pea soup and a spinning head audience reactions to films where demonic possession was central to the plot has been meh at most. Why is that? Well, the zeitgeist in the 70’s was clearly different than what we have today. Religious attendance was likely higher than what we have today for most Christians. Today, distractions abound, especially for youth who are bombarded with technological entertainment (distraction) options. Additionally, in the West agnosticism and atheism have become one of the fastest growing religious beliefs – the belief of no belief. So, how can one be frightened of devils, demons or ghosts if they just do not believe in the above? (more…)

Happy Holidays! Merry Christmas!

Happy Hanukkah! Happy Winter Solstice! Happy Yule! Merry Christmas!

This is a great time of year! It is a time of celebration and also a time of traditions.

We hope that your holiday season is full of friends, family, peace and love, and maybe a superstition, tradition or two! Below is a list of a few Christmas superstitions that the Undertaker and I have put together for you to enjoy. There are certainly many, many, many more!

First of all, we like to say that there was indeed a Santa Claus, or at least a few Santas. (more…)

Seven years of bad luck

Broken Mirror

The Undertaker and I have not yet put up our Christmas tree as we have been busy. We at least made the effort of bringing down the boxes full of our Christmasy things. While sifting through the boxes, looking at ornaments I accidentally dropped one and it broke into bits. The Undertaker burst into the room in a panic. Although, once he saw me standing there, surrounded by broken glass he laughed.

“Seven years of bad luck for you now,” he said wagging his finger at me before turning and leaving the room.

I didn’t think seven years of bad luck applied to breaking a Christmas ornament, but this particular ornament was mirrored.

I am fascinated with mirrors. Not because I am vain or anything, but because of the power many people believe them to hold. The looking-glass, as some once called mirrors, are used for grooming, decoration, and in scientific instruments such as telescopes and cameras. (more…)

Salt away the bad luck

Millions of us enjoyed a lovely dinner with family on Thanksgiving Day. Even I enjoyed a beautiful Thanksgiving dinner with the Undertaker, who is a lovely cook. Before feasting we gave thanks to all that we have and offered words of hope for what we hope to come.

Now, I mentioned the Undertaker is a wonderful cook. What I failed to mention is that the Undertaker does not particularly like to use salt in his recipes. I am wildly fond of salt, so I have to have the salt shaker nearby for all of our meals, which is…I know…not good for my health. However, salt in and around your home is always a good thing. (more…)