Is it Beneficial to Investigate Cemeteries?

Cemeteries are a great way to gain experience.

I was asked a question on tour the other night: “Did I think it’s worthwhile to investigate cemeteries?”  And the question reminded me of a conversation I had with my good friend, the late Dr. Michael Henery.  Dr. Henry opposed investigating cemeteries because he believed there was no reason a spirit would haunt one.  I disagreed because there was no way of ever possibly explaining the motivations for why spirits choose to reside in any location after death.

I also think investigating cemeteries is extremely beneficial for new investigators.  Until you get established, investigations are hard to come by, and if you rent out haunted locations, it can be rather expensive.  Cemeteries are free, open year-round, and a great opportunity for investigators to gain experience.  The latter reason is the most important: gaining experience.  It’s impossible to walk into someone's home and conduct an investigation if you have never conducted an investigation.  

If you’re a newly formed team, investigating cemeteries is a good time to see if you can work together as a group.  It also gives you the opportunity to evaluate your fellow team members' strengths and weaknesses.   If you have a new piece of equipment, cemetery investigations are a good place to learn how to use it.   Cemetery investigations are especially helpful for learning how to interpret Frank’s Box responses and learning how to use pendulums and dowsing rods.  Plus, learning how to conduct an outdoor investigation and reviewing  evidence collected from an outdoor investigation is also helpful.  You will gain valuable experience debunking orbs, water droplets, and mists.  Another important skill you will gain by conducting cemetery investigations is learning how to keep track of your equipment!

You never know when one of your investigations will require you to visit a cemetery.  There is a wealth of information that can be gained from researching cemeteries.  Knowing how to find a grave, reading symbolism, performing grave rubbings, shadowing a headstone, and using water to bring out worn lettering are very useful skills.  

So to answer my guest’s question, yes, I do think investigating cemeteries is beneficial.  Especially when you’re just starting out in your paranormal career.  It’s an easy, inexpensive way to gain experience and learn skills that most investigators lack.  If you're trying to join an established paranormal team, it never hurts to have the experience and skills that will make you stand out from all the other candidates.