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Is It Bad Luck to Take Pictures of Graves? (Plus Cemetery Photography Etiquette)
Tell you what:
People have been photographing cemeteries for decades. The practice has become more popular in recent years, fuelled by the rise of social media, and there are now numerous photographers who work at graveyards realizing their artistic vision.
(I found this to be quite surprising, but maybe that’s because I’m one of the superstitious ones haha.)
Still, some people believe that taking pictures of graves is bad luck; if you want to avoid this kind of superstition, it can be helpful to understand why people developed those beliefs in the first place!
Today, we will be talking about those beliefs and see whether they have a reasonable basis or not, what you can do and cannot do when you are in a churchyard, and the relationship between culture and graveyard photography.
If that’s the genre you’d like to explore, at the end of the post I’ll share some cemetery photography etiquette/tips that you’d want to know.
Let’s begin, shall we?
What is Cemetery Photography?
First things first…
What is cemetery photography?
Cemetery photography is a specialized genre that involves taking images of graveyards, tombstones, headstones, or even events that happen in a burial ground such as funerals.
It takes a certain set of skills to get good pictures without being affected by the subject matter.
The churchyard can be an eerie place, with grey skies and overgrown weeds. But if you have the right equipment, the skills, and approach it in the right way, you can make some amazing shots.
(Even if it might creep some folks out.)
Let’s talk about the reasons behind the superstitions surrounding this topic. So… is it ok to take pictures at a cemetery?
Culture and Cemetery Photography: The Correlation
Honestly, whether you can take photos inside a churchyard or graveyard depends on the culture of the place you are visiting.
While most places impose no restrictions on having photoshoots inside these venues, there are quite a few (especially those coming of conservative descent) that have strict rules when it comes to activities like this.
To better understand why some places don’t allow you to take pictures of headstones, or of anything inside the area, let’s talk about the different cultures and their beliefs about graveyard photography.
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Bringing the dead back to life
Some cultures believe that taking pictures of a grave will bring them back to life.
Though I personally don’t think this is possible, there are some people who believe that taking photos of the final resting place of the dead will bring them back to life. They strongly believe that doing this will only wake the dead up, causing them to “want” to return to being alive.
If you ask people in the scientific field about this, I’m pretty sure they are going to dismiss the idea in the blink of an eye.
However, we are still bound to respect this belief especially if you are only visiting the place as a tourist. This way, you will not upset the local community with your actions and there’s a good chance you won’t get banned from entering the place again.
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It’s disrespectful
Other cultures believe that it’s disrespectful to take pictures of graves and cemeteries.
This one, I believe is very reasonable. Being laid to eternal rest is something serious and deserves respect. This matter is never one that should be taken lightly. The family left behind by the dead could still be mourning and grieving over the loss.
However, I believe it is not the act of taking pictures itself that makes it disrespectful. What will make it rude to take pictures at a cemetery is the motive in which you are doing such. Another factor that could possibly make it rude to shoot here is the manner in which you are carrying the event.
For instance, if you only want to take pictures to make fun of other people’s grief, then that would be utterly rude. Another example would be an unfitting theme for the location such as portraying a playful and cheerful character in the midst of the churchyard, which just totally seems off.
We all know graveyards symbolize loss, sadness, and grief. So seeing models smile brightly in the middle of the headstones will totally be insulting both to the dead, and the living families.
So you see, I totally understand why some cultures would frown upon these acts. If you do it for the above-mentioned reasons, then it would seem like you are not giving due respect to people who just lost their loved ones, much more the ones who had an untimely death.
I know that’s frowned upon in Christianity. I’m not Muslim but it seems that Islam doesn’t appreciate it too, and my guess nor do other religions.
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Disturbs the souls of the dead
Few other cultures believe that it disturbs the souls of the dead buried in the cemetery.
Up until today, many people all over the world still believe that doing other activities inside the burial ground (aside from visiting or paying respect) disturbs the souls of the dead. A lot of us, myself included, believe that putting a dead body to its final resting place would also mean putting its soul to rest.
As much as you try to be discreet while taking on the shoot, there might be times when you can’t help but step on graves, headstones, or markers. This is believed to disrupt the peaceful sleep of the people buried underneath.
It’s just like stepping over a sleeping person, they say.
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Taking pictures of graves is bad luck
Some cultures believe that taking photos of the dead/tombstones passes on bad energy to the living.
Just like the belief that taking photos of deities in temples take away a portion of their power or energy, it is believed that taking photos of graves passes on negative energy to the living.
While there aren’t proven scientific explanations for that belief, many people still choose to believe that. Spiritual gurus of different religious origins often tell us that photos have the ability to capture the energy of the subject.
As in this case, you never really know what kind of energy the dead possesses, right?
That could be one of the reasons why some places don’t allow you to take photos on the burial ground. They are afraid that the photos could spread bad energy and bad luck among the people who will see them once printed or reviewed.
But in reality, is it really bad luck to take photos of the grave?
Well, that depends on whether you believe the superstition or not. I personally believe we make our own life, but I also don’t like the symbolic aspect of it, so that’s why I am not a fan of this genre (and definitely don’t find it therapeutic).
Proper Cemetery Photography Etiquette
So if you still feel you’d like to experiment with this genre, then here is the cemetery photography etiquette you should follow.
What can you really do and not do in a graveyard? Some do’s and don’ts that will help you have a smooth and successful churchyard photoshoot.
✓ DO’S
- Always ask for permission before taking pictures
If you plan to take photos of specific headstones for whatever purpose you may have, you may want to ask the family first before taking pictures. Sometimes, there are families who want to keep their privacy, and there is nothing else you can do but abide by that.
If you do have someone’s permission, always make sure it is not an emotional event such as that in a funeral. This event is very personal among the people attending the event. It is not so nice to crash and randomly take pictures just because you happen to be at the same place in the moment.
But of course, if you were hired by the family to cover the burial, then by all means do what you need to do as a photographer. Just make sure you don’t get in the way of mourners.
- Be respectful and don’t make a mess when you’re there
Death is such a sensitive topic.
So as much as possible, give due respect to the dead. You can do this by not stepping on the markers intentionally, or just being as discreet as you can while doing the shoot. That way, you won’t disturb (the dead) the people who came to visit their departed loved ones.
Also, don’t leave any litter behind. Most graveyards are private and the families pay for the maintenance of the graves. As a way of respect, you should not take anything from the grave or leave anything behind that was not originally there.
- Know when to stop taking photos, especially during funerals
There are people who wish to hire photographers to take photos during funerals. Even if you were hired by the family, it is important to always know when to take photos and when not to.
Though most camera shutters these days have silent mode, it could still disturb some very solemn burial rituals. Also, just avoid using flash because it can distract mourners and even the funeral presider.
✕ DON’TS
- Don’t take pictures of a gravestone that has been vandalized
This is pretty self-explanatory. Headstones function like markers that the person lies there. Taking a photo of vandalized gravestones is highly discouraged for a variety of reasons.
Among the strongest reasons is that, once the photo is posted publicly, the families and friends of the dead person might recognize the marker. This might get you in trouble especially if you didn’t have permission to take the shot there.
Another reason could be that people might think it is okay to doodle and vandalize graves because they saw one posted on the Internet. As much as you can, just avoid doing this and continue to respect other people’s final resting place.
- Don’t take pictures of headstones close-up
Markers have the dead person’s name, birthday, and other personal information that could potentially lead to privacy issues when publicized. So as much as possible, blur the personal details if you must really shoot the headstone.
- Don’t take pictures of other visitors
People visit the cemetery to pay respect to the dead and remember the memories they left behind. Don’t intentionally take pictures of them especially if you don’t have permission. You never know whether they are done grieving or not. It is utterly rude to butt in at times like this.
Cemetery Photography: Final Thoughts
In case you were still wondering is it legal to take pictures in a graveyard, the answer is: it depends. It depends on the culture of that place and the rules of the burial ground you are visiting.
If you are unsure whether taking photos is prohibited, might as well head directly to their office and ask. There’s no harm in getting permission, you see.
Bottom line is, if you want to do a shoot in places like this, always pay due respect to the dead, the living visitors, and the place as well. Do what you have to do and leave immediately once you are done.
Now, I’d like to hear from YOU:
- Is it bad to take a picture of a grave?
- Do you agree that it is rude to take pictures at a cemetery?
- A question for my Muslim readers, is graveyard photography allowed in Islam?
Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!
About Author
Kate Janelle
Photography enthusiast and content creator at Digital World Beauty. My main objective here is to create a valuable resource for you with honest tech gear reviews, course recommendations, and how-to tutorials.
Hi there,
I don’t find it rude at all, if you respect all those little things you’ ve mentioned above. If you are respectful and good-intentioned person, the others can feel it.
When I was a teenager, many decades ago, I was enjoying very much visiting two places. First, cemeteries, because they were beautiful quiet places, where I could think of death and vanity of these fanfare we live, and by doing so, I could somehow find balance in the process of my thought! Don’t get me wrong, I do love life and I am a highly optimistic person, therefore I needed something towards the opposite direction, and I found that in cemeteries.
Second, I loved to visit parks (in Greece of the eighties), where elders and people who retired from active life were gathering there to talk. I had noticed that they were forming circles of five to ten elders, who turned toward the center of the circle, standing and talking about various matters of life with exceptional wisdom. You could see five six elders talking, back then, and one curious teenager (obviously me) standing behind them to hear what precious gems they had to say about life from their experience.
Now, visiting a cemetery just to take photos of the graves and leave, I confess, I never thought of it. To me there must be a philosophical reason to make pictures there, such as, to feel that all this vane fiesta one day ends. Otherwise it seems to me an oxymoron, since, if I go there, with my latest camera equipment, only to compose frames of just the marbles, this would mean that I do not feel or understand anything.
What I mean, is not to go there and take just photos of just another field of photography, cemeteries, but to go there and before pressing the button to trigger ten shots in a raw, first sit ten minutes quietly and feel and see and hear and think and respect what this very special place has to tell us. For, this is the heights school of all, and we tend to forget it.
What a great input on cemetery photography, Theo! Thank you very much for sharing your thoughts and experience on this topic, appreciate it.
When I enter cemeteries, it is like I have entered a very busy gym. People are power walking, jogging, exercising with each other on the spot. There is a communal feeling inside a cemetery, with joggers, motor vehicles, cyclists, boarders, etc.
Of course I would be remiss if I did not mention all the animal owners and animal walkers. I have often wondered how it would feel to have a large dog defecate or urinate on your plot or in or around your headstone.
Anytime I am in a cemetery (and I have relatives in several) I witness people walking over or through other people’s resting places without a thought or care. I notice the same with people who other people’s dogs or their own, allowing the dogs that accompany them to defecate/urinate on others final resting places or on the monuments at each gravesite.
It is important to remember that the individuals that I refer to, do not own a plot in that cemetery and do not have family members there (I ask them and they say they have no connection, other then the proximity of their residential address in relation to the cemetery) – the only connection they have with the cemetery, is that they live closer to the cemetery then they do to a park, and they are too lazy to travel to the park, and instead do their thing, or their dog’s thing, in the cemetery because it is closer.
Would this be considered disrespectful? Should they have to ask the family or those who run the cemetery, for permission to walk or run or stand on to exercise, someone’s grave before they do it?
Should they request and receive permission from the family of the loved one laid to rest, before they use that person’s grave as a toilet for their pet dog or before they allow their dog to urinate or defecate on someone’s gravestone/tombstone/monument? Or should those people have to receive permission and consent to use the entire cemetery as a public toilet for their pet dog(s)?
Would it be disrespectful to those buried there, if permission wasn’t granted before total strangers (whose other connection to the dead buried in the graveyard is that they live close by and are too lazy to travel to a park) used the cemetery as a gym and animal toilet for their pets?
Are you one of those people Kate or do you have friends or acquaintances that use other people’s cemeteries or graveyards to exercise in or through or who uses these properties as toilets for their pets?
If it is good manners and good etiquette to ask for permission or consent before taking photos of someone’s plot and headstone, would the same apply to someone who wants to exercise on, or run on, or cycle on or allow their pet to urinate and/or defecate on someone’s headstone or burial ground?
Personally, I think it is much less offensive for someone to take a photo of someone else’s headstone without permission or consent, versus leaving your condo close to the cemetery with your dog at your side and then unleashing your dog once you enter the cemetery and allow the dog to urinate or defecate on any headstone or burial ground that it sees fit (and you haven’t even sought permission or consent from the cemetery or from the relatives of those graves and headstones that your dog is going on).
Wondering what your thoughts are on the appropriateness of cemeteries thought of as outside gyms and toilets for pets?
Hey Nemo,
Thanks for sharing your experience and observations on cemeteries here.
Actually, I’m a bit shocked to hear that people treat cemeteries like some sort of a gym or whatever park they feel like it. Coming from a conservative Christian region, we don’t normally see that kind of scene here.
Our cemeteries are really quiet, most of the time. Also, we come from a race with lots of superstitions, so this probably plays a huge part in why people here don’t often go to cemeteries for those kinds of activities.
And, for me, cemeteries are kinda eerie (and I’m a scaredy-cat by nature! Haha).
I agree with you that taking photos of headstones without permission is still less offensive compared to using the cemetery as a place for exercise, or a toilet as you would call it, for your pets.
Considering that the family of the deceased person buried in the cemetery could be paying maintenance fees for their burial plot, I think it is quite rude to just litter around like it’s some sort of a free park. You know what I mean?
It would still be nice and prudent to at least ask for permission from the cemetery management if they wish to exercise there. And even if they do get the permission, it would really be nice if they don’t walk over someone else’s marker or burial plot. There are walkways where they can easily jog on or walkthrough. Just not on the markers themselves, I hope.
On the other hand, asking the family for permission might not be a practical move for a variety of reasons, and this is probably why no one bothers doing it.
One reason is that it would be hard to trace the family with only the name of the deceased person, much so that they don’t really have a connection whatsoever to the people buried there.
But of course, if the management isn’t bothered by these scenarios in the cemetery, I think there’s nothing we can really do except hope that the people exercising or doing whatever, still know how to pay respect to the dead by not littering and stepping over their graves.
Bottom line is, I don’t really advocate doing these totally unrelated things inside the cemetery. I still believe there’s a right place for everything. Cemeteries are made for the dead, not for the living.
Anyway, thanks again for the wonderful input, Nemo, and feel free to comment on any other articles!
I recently took pictures of my parents graves it makes me feel close to them I hope I didn’t do anything wrong but it gives me comfort.
Hi Linda, sorry about your parents passing away. As for taking pictures, a lot of people are just superstitious, or prefer not to meddle with the ‘otherly’ energies, but if it gives you comfort, I guess that’s ok. For some photographers, cemetery photography is their niched genre. We are all different and react to things differently. Thanks for your comment!
I take photos of my own family’s grave markers from time to time. I don’t find it to be rude, or bad luck! I photographed my step father’s military burial service, for family who couldn’t attend. If it’s your own family, it doesn’t matter what anyone else thinks. IT’S YOUR FAMILY.
Some people are very superstitious, some are fine with cemetery photography. With their own family, my guess people would feel more comfortable photographing than other people’s ‘property’. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this, Kim!