Easter and Cedar Grove Cemetery

Easter and Cedar Grove Cemetery
What does Cedar Grove Cemetery have to do with Easter? They both are involved with tombs. The difference is one, the Cemetery, has bodies, mainly decayed bodies in the tombs. However, Easter celebrates the empty tomb for Jesus Christ rose from the tomb and His tomb is still empty. Some Christians prefer to call Easter, Resurrection Day.
At a presentation on February 24, 2011, information regarding the symbols was shared with a packed library auditorium. The Cemetery has a symbol for resurrection according to the Earl of Craven Questers and it is a sunrise. Ivy carved on a stone meant everlasting life. An open book meant the departed soul was wise. A sleeping lamb signified children. Roses meant beauty. Anchors were for hope in the 18th and 19th century. The dove meant promise and the harp, harmony. Other symbols appear on stones and plagues.
The Questers are preserving the tombs, mausoleums and other graves. Out of about four thousand graves only approximately one thousand are identified. The others are in need of cleaning and even the tombstones are decaying. To get money for the preservation the Questers are giving tours every Saturday from April to November weather permitting. Volunteers are needed to help clean tombstones and some students from Brinson Elementary worked on cleaning a couple of dozen stones. Tickets for tours may be bought at the cemetery or at the New Bern Historical Society office on Pollock Street. Names and family searches will help those looking for ancestors in New Bern with cleaner stones.