Cemeteries of Southwest Virginia

The cemeteries of Southwest Virginia have a fascinating combination of culture, heritage, and history. The memorials present a mix of carved art and beautifully written epithets. There are memorials to occupation, passions, beliefs, or lifelong missions placed through elaborate rituals. The customs of the Appalachian region run deep, reaching back through centuries and cultures. This is no less true in the funerary rights and cemeteries where they are laid to rest. The mountains were settled by a complex combination of ethnic groups and displaced populations that brought with them a variety of beliefs and burial rites that melted into a culture stretching the entire length of the oldest ranges.
Southwest Virginia is a unique pocket of mixed ideals. From simple to elaborate memorials, they all harbor unique beauty, with some stones so weatherworn that time has forgotten their occupants. Others feature entire life stories carved from unfathomable grief. Take a stroll through some of the best current and historic examples of a place where cultures and faiths come together.

Honey Hutson was born and raised in Southwest Virginia. She's the author of six books and a blog. A photographer most of her life, Honey finally went pro in 2023 as a wildlife and landscape photographer, does business and portraiture work, and creates photo art.
Living in a culture that has a different point of view on death and a strong grip on tradition and superstition alike built a legacy that feeds her creativity. Honey attended Hollins University in Roanoke, Virginia, for both writing and photography, skills she was passionate about but never used in tandem until now A deep respect and curiosity for her native mountain country has created works of art unique to the region, to include the old cemeteries.