Sometimes one of the greatest things about living in South Louisiana is finding a hidden treasure around every corner. An assignment for my day job sent me to my most recent one, the Little Grave Houses at Istre Cemetery.
Death can be an odd thing. The rituals and superstitions around death and burial can be so varied from culture to culture and I’m not even going to get started on what different religions do. And as I have been discovering that all the things I’ve “seen” all my life were actually the fact that I’m a medium and intuitive, well let’s just say, I am frequently intrigued by such things. So needless to say, when I researched “things to do” in Vermillion Parish, Louisiana for my job, the result “Little Grave Houses” hooked me from go.
There were so many questions. They weren’t like a mausoleum where the deceased is actually buried. So why are there? How many are there? What do they look like? Are there more? Are there more that are maybe somewhere that’s easier to find than what is basically a family cemetery located on what can only be described as a road straight out of Deliverance in the middle of a bunch of rice fields? Sadly, the answer was no.
These little grave houses are a bit of a mystery however. There is speculation about them and word is, there used to be houses such as these in cemeteries throughout South Louisiana and, in some fashion, across the South. But it looks as if now there are 3 remaining in Louisiana and those are in Istre Cemetery just outside of Morse, Louisiana. So, Deliverance road, here we come.
I was delighted to discover that the cemetery location showed up on GPS and that even though the location marker seemed to literally float in the middle nothing, I found it without incident. The cemetery itself seemed small and the houses were the first thing that caught my eye. I was alone and a little on edge, as I often am around a cemetery. My senses tend to buzz with so much energy around and I could definitely feel the presence of the occupants from the past and I won’t deny I was a little nervous. But even with all the energy, I can always feel the peace as well. It was a beautiful day and I was able to settle into the work of taking pictures.
The houses did not disappoint. They literally look like a small, miniature house with gabled roofs, actual glass windows, and working doors that looked like what you would see on a home. They were all made of wood but had slightly different designs and they were each built directly over a grave with the oldest being from around 1900. Maybe not the proper word, but all I could think was this is adorable and it felt so sweet. Had they built a little house for the person that passed? But why? The real dilemma is that either no one seems to really know for sure or all the reasons are true in some way.
Some believe they were built to protect the grave occupant from the rain and elements. In this case, even from local cattle or wildlife. The protection perhaps allowed a candle to burn without being extinguished. There may be treasured items of this lost loved one placed inside the little house as well. One local resident even suggested it perhaps gave them a place to have a glass of iced tea and play cards. This sounds very Southern indeed and a great reason, but this still didn’t answer the origin.
There are some that believe these are influenced by graves in the New Orleans area. Cajun country was populated by Acadians from Nova Scotia. The New Orleans area often had more people actually from France and they were a little more, shall we say, upscale or from high classes of families. As you may or may not know, in south Louisiana many graves are actually above ground. The water tables here don’t allow you to dig and bury as deeply as a grave would require. The graves you see in the New Orleans area are usually concrete and somewhat ornate. There has been speculation that the little houses in Cajun country may have been their version of these graves but due to costs, etc they were built from wood.
Some have wondered about a native American influence. Their spirit houses were built for just that purpose, to give the persons spirit a place to dwell. Most I’ve seen are decorated in a way that reflects the person who has passed. I also find them smaller than the ones in Louisiana.
There are also what are called grave shelters. These tend to be more open however with a roof but not enclosed walls. They were usually built of wood but would sometimes include stone.
At the end of the day, they all have similarities but are all different. Are all these things an influence? Are none of them? To be honest I’m still not sure. The 3 remaining houses in Istre Cemetery have been placed on the National Historic Register. Unfortunately, this distinction does not come with any monies to help preserve the structures. With them being made of wood, like the ones before, they will most likely gradually rot and fall into disrepair. The keepers of the cemetery do the best they can but in many cases the families have moved away or the ones that really knew of the houses have passed themselves. It’s sad to see such a lovely tradition die as it seems to happen all too often in our changing world.
I was indeed intrigued by what I found at Istre Cemetery. When I looked at these little houses, I felt love. What I choose to believe and what my intuition tells me is the families built these houses as a way of protecting their loved ones even in death. I understand that these structures are also meant to sort of welcome others. In other words, if you wish to open the door and have a look inside, in true Southern fashion, you are welcome in their little home.
I think I would quite like to have such a loving shelter over my grave one day. You would be welcome for tea and cards anytime! What about you?