I spent a couple of hours today in the lovely Quaker Cemetery in the middle of Prospect Park, helping rake leaves and fix the gravestones. Lots of kids from the Brooklyn Friends School were there, which was really sweet. What kid doesn't like jumping onto a pile of fall leaves?
It was a drizzly, chilly day. But that didn't deter the 20 or so adults and kids who came to do some Fall cleaning of the plots and land around the graves. I was late so only got about an hour of work in, which was kind of disappointing. Still it was great meeting other local Quakers and families of children in our school.
The cemetery sextant (caretaker) Bob gave us a detailed tour of the graves and local flora, including the largest black oak in Long Island and a giant tulip tree. What I didn't know was that most of the graves include full coffins of the deceased, rather than just the cremated remains. I had thought cremation has always been the preferred Quaker method of burial. But apparently that is a more modern practice.
More Quaker cemetery pics here.
It’s so weird — I’ve been through acres and acres of that park – from one end to another to another. I even did the food foraging tour. Yet I’ve never been to the Quaker cemetery. I have no idea how that happened. Must get over there some time.
Yeah it’s really a wonderful little spot. Only accessible during cleanup days and other special occasions though.