New Years Eve at Cemeteries in Chile

New Year traditions vary around the world. In the South American country of Chile New Years Eve is now spent by many families visiting the graves of their loved ones.

The practice is believed to have started in 1995 in the city of Talca, 158 miles south of the capital Santiago. One family climbed into the cemetery on New Years Eve to be beside the grave of their father, who had recently passed away. Rather than enforce the law, local authorities have taken the pragmatic view that it is a practice that should be encouraged rather than stopped.

Chile New Years Eve

The entrance to Talca’s General Cemetery

Cemetery gates now remain open, with families commemorating their deceased members in various ways. For some it is a case of being by the graveside in quiet reflection, while others like to have bring something to eat and drink. To add some warmth and light, small fires are sometimes lit. Its not a case of going home when finished either, as many will then sleep by the graveside until daylight in temperatures that are not uncomfortable due to it being summer in the Southern Hemisphere.

Those that undertake this Chile New Years Eve tradition believe it is a key part of the bereavement process. They feel it can bring luck in the new year and also helps the souls of the deceased, making them at peace knowing they have been visited at this special time. It brings a sense of reunification with their loved ones and helps rekindle the notion that life is valuable and needs to be enjoyed.

It is estimated nowadays that 5,000 families undertake this tradition, in a city of around 200,000 inhabitants. Talca is famous for being where Bernardo O’Higgins signed the Declaration of Independence in 2018, freeing Chile from Spanish rule. Traditionally tourists have visited due to it being a wine producing region and its role in the Catholic church in Chile. However it is also slowly developing a reputation for this unique New Years Eve tradition.

 

 

 

Customer Feedback

As Christmas approaches, its a time to reflect on the year gone by. We are Liverpool’s oldest family run monumental mason business and we have continued to get great satisfaction from the customer feedback we get when jobs are completed. The memorials and services we supply bring happiness to so many customers, as we are providing a lasting tribute to their loved one.

customer feedback

We take pride in our personal service, engaging with customers at their homes, or wherever else they may feel comfortable, so we can get to know and understand their requirements. In providing two memorials for a lady’s husband and father, we engaged and allowed her to take her time in making the right choices. The result was two kerbed memorials and on completion we received a lovely message form the customer which said ” Absolutely beautiful memorials for my husband and dad, excellent service to our family so kind, caring from the very start to the finish more than a five star service and a very professional service from all the team who fitted them with utter respect. We are so pleased with everything and fully recommend Sarsfields memorials, worth every single penny as the quality of the finished kerb memorials are exceptional and everything we asked for and more! Thank you to Ursula you are a very special lady with a heart of Gold, you would make your grandfather and father so proud.”

We also take pride in receiving feedback from people who have had memorials cleaned and restored, making them look brand new. One such example this year is from the family of a lady who was buried in her parents’ grave, 38 years after the last interment. The white headstone was blackened and lettering beginning to come off. However were able to clean it and do some re-lettering and received the following response – “We can’t believe its the same headstone, the standard of the work you have carried out is exceptional and we are all so pleased. It is now a fitting memorial to a lovely aunt and sister and her parents.”

These are just two examples of the customer feedback we have received over the last year. We have been operating for 71 years. The current owner Ursula Sarsfield is the third generation to run the company and looks forward to doing so for many years to come.

Floral Grave Images

Floral grave images can add to a memorial, bringing a sense of sorrow, love and warmth to your loved one’s final resting place. They can also add brightness and colour, helping celebrate their life rather than mourn it.

floral grave images

There is no end to the number of designs for floral grave images, with some flowers having specific meanings. A rose, for example, signifies everlasting love and beauty. Two roses indicate the memorial is for a couple. Other indications of undying love are myrtles and tulips.

Peoples humility may be commemorated by violets and ferns. Ferns are also the national flower of New Zealand and may be used to show nationality too, as do New Zealand commonwealth war graves. Other flowers that are linked to nationality are thistles for Scots and shamrocks for Irish.

Buds, daisies and lilies however, are more commonly associated with children. They are more likely to represent the innocence of a child and purity. Everlasting life and rebirth is symbolised by ivy, corn, lotus and marigold. Brighter flowers, sunflowers being an example, are signs of celebrating life.

You may however not wish to have such bright or celebratory floral grave images. If you prefer a more traditional sorrowful image, then willows and wreaths are more appropriate.

floral grave images

Depending on the material of your headstone, floral grave images may be hand carved, laser etched or sandblasted. They can be the same colour as the lettering, or if you prefer to add some brightness then original colours work just as well.

Modern techniques mean that we can bespoke the image to your requirements. At Sarsfield Memorials we are able to guide you on what techniques and colours work best with different materials. If you would like to discuss floral grave images as part of a new memorial or adding to an existing one, please contact us and we will be happy to discuss your requirements.