“Death is not the opposite of life but a part of it.”
The Japanese author Haruki Murakami writes in his novel, Norwegian Wood. As human beings, most of us are scared of death; the idea of leaving loved ones behind, the notion of losing the people we most cherish, and the uncertainty of what’s next – yes, death is frightening.
Imagine for a moment though, that you can fully embrace death – without fear, anticipation, or regret. Instead, purely as what it is – a part of life, a natural stage, a process. You may think this is morbid, but try taking a few contemplative promenades in a cemetery, and you’ll be surprised by how much stability and peace meditation on death can bring.
Paris may be less known for death contemplation, but the city of light shines on the dead with as much beauty and artistic splendor as it does on the love birds. Le cimetière du Père-Lachaise stands as evidence.
Located in 20th arrondissement, the Père-Lachaise cemetery is the most visited and prestigious necropolis in the French capital and one of the most famous in the world. Both an English Park with all its ornate characteristics and a place for deep contemplation, the cemetery covers more than a total of one hundred and eight acres and serves as the last home for more than seventy-thousand concessions – celebrities and anonymous alike. Strolling through its green alleys, you can find the resting place of many prominent figures who made significant impact on the history of France and the world – Oscar Wilde, Honoré de Balzac, Frédéric Chopin, Édith Piaf, Jim Morrison, and the list goes on. No other cemetery in the world can boast so many burials of famous figures. Since the cemetery also houses numerous architectural and sculptural works, you can also observe and contemplate different styles of funeral art, from Haussmannian vaults and Gothic tombs to ancient mausoleums and neoclassical masterpieces.
Often buzzling with tourists, bibliophiles, music fans, and other visitors, the cemetery sometimes becomes a place for fun, humor, and celebrations – a way of embracing death; ardent music fans may sometimes pay homage to Jim Morrison with their packs of beer and rock music, while some may recite Balzac’s words. As you walk along the graves, taking some deep breath occasionally, imagine the life stories of the people who lie beneath them, the histories they wrote. And perhaps, you may find the peace you need in your heart.
References
Bizet, Carine and Agathe Aligand. “A Paris, les éternels dormeurs du Père-Lachaise.” Le Monde. (22 July 2019). https://www.lemonde.fr/m-styles/article/2019/07/22/a-paris-les-eternels-dormeurs-du-pere-lachaise_5492229_4497319.html.
“Cimetière du Père-Lachaise.” Paris: Site official de l’Office du Tourisme et des Congrès. (Accessed March 1, 2020). https://www.parisinfo.com/musee-monument-paris/71470/Cimetiere-du-Pere-Lachaise.
“Visite guidée au Père-Lachaise.” Cimetière du Père-Lachaise. (Accessed March 1, 2020). https://pere-lachaise.com/visite-guidee-pere-lachaise/.
“Image 1 and 2: Pere Lachaise Cemetery.” French Moments. (Accessed March 12, 2020). https://frenchmoments.eu/pere-lachaise-cemetery/.
A thought provoking read for a Sunday morning. Thank you.