Transforming a frightening place like a cemetery into a playful setting is the mission of Talk Death, an initiative striving to normalize conversations around death and dying.
Amid the Halloween season, Talk Death, established by two individuals from Hamilton, has been hosting scavenger hunts in cemeteries throughout Canada and the U.S. to demystify these spaces.
This year, approximately 1,000 participants from both countries engaged in the scavenger hunt, exploring local cemeteries for clues and competing for prizes.
Jeremy Cohen, co-founder of Talk Death and a religion anthropologist at McMaster University, expressed that cemeteries were originally public places where families would visit for leisure activities like picnics.
What started as a small, impromptu Halloween activity in 2020 has now become an annual event for the Hamilton-based organization, partnering with various cemeteries in Canada and the U.S. while welcoming participants globally.
Mandy Benoualid, co-founder of Talk Death alongside Cohen, mentioned that individuals from Europe have also joined the scavenger hunts, emphasizing the importance of historical cemeteries with ample space for clues.
Preserving Untold Tales
Volunteer historical interpreter Pat Gallagher highlighted the significance of visiting places like the Hamilton Cemetery to uphold the narratives buried within.
Gallagher emphasized that “If nobody talks about it, it disappears,” underscoring the importance of sustaining and sharing the stories unveiled within the cemetery.
During the scavenger hunt, participants delved into the history of notable figures like John Charles Fields, the founder of the Fields Medal, buried at the Hamilton Cemetery.
Exploring the lives of those interred in the Hamilton Cemetery forms a crucial aspect of Gallagher’s work at Cemetery Chronicles, offering free historical tours of such graveyards.
Embracing Life’s Inevitabilities
Embracing a sunny fall afternoon, newcomers Adrienne Turner and Jen Power voiced the importance of events like the scavenger hunt in normalizing discussions around death.
Turner conveyed that such initiatives help in destigmatizing death, emphasizing that “Death is just a part of life and happens to everybody,” a sentiment echoed by Power.
Among the 23 clues scattered around the cemetery were unique challenges like locating a headstone with a quote, identifying a foreign flag, and spotting real moss or ivy on a gravestone.
In addition to the gameplay, prizes were awarded for various categories, including the first person to submit 13 clues, runner-up, and most creative submissions.
Furthermore, Talk Death merchandise was available at the event, with proceeds directed towards the Black Cemetery Network, dedicated to safeguarding African-American burial sites.
Cohen drew inspiration from cultural practices like Dia de los Muertos, a Mexican holiday honoring the deceased, to foster events like the scavenger hunt, aiming to shift perspectives on death and cemeteries.