Graveyards don't exist merely to shelter the dead. They also nurture the living. As strange as it sounds, America s garden cemeteries were our nation s first public parks! People used to visit graveyards not just to mourn the dead, but to have a fun day in nature.Yes, FUN!More and more of America's cemeteries are applying for arboretum status and being placed on the historical register. Many now offer tours, annual festivals and events which run the gamut from jazz picnics, birding, costumed reenactments, performances of Shakespeare, and more.Along with this renewed appreciation for historic cemeteries, comes the realization that we have forgotten the meaning behind many of the symbols and acronyms our ancestors left on their headstones.Tui Snider s book, Understanding Cemetery Symbols, describes the meaning behind the symbols and architecture found in the historic graveyards of America.History buffs, genealogists, ghost hunters and other curiosity seekers will gain a deeper appreciation for these "messages from the dead" with a copy of Tui Snider's book on their shelf, or better yet, in their hands, as they explore America's open-air museums for themselves!