Episode 226 - Death with a Dash of Humor: The Unique Tradition of the Merry Cemetery
Imagine visiting a cemetery where instead of sadness, you’re greeted with joy, wit, and art. In the heart of Romania, that’s exactly what you’ll find; “The graveyard that laughs at death” otherwise known as The Merry Cemetery—where the dead are remembered with a smile. On this episode of The Ordinary Extraordinary Cemetery, Jennie and Dianne pay tribute to this delightful burial ground that has attracted thousands of tourists from across the globe. You won’t find traditional gravestones here—what you’ll encounter instead are colorful wooden crosses that tell the stories of the deceased with humor, wit, and a playful spirit.
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Resources used to research this episode include:
Moore, John. "The Last Laugh; In the Merry Cemetery, grave markers celebrate life with beautiful images and gentle wit." https://www.romaniatourism.com/. www.romaniatourism.com/press-the-merry-cemetery.html. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Golopentia, Sanda. "The Merry Cemetery of Sapanta ." https://peterkayafas.com/. peterkayafas.com/the-merry-cemetery-of-sapanta/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
, Rolandia. "The Merry Cemetery ." https://rolandia.eu/. rolandia.eu/en/blog/unique-places/the-merry-cemetery/?srsltid=AfmBOopyD1j6Popz6vDQJxc4TQMDUN1A5PW4VSqTkWobpBVvF0tyK_il. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
, Go Eat Give. "Have a Laugh At The Merry Cemetery in Romania ." https://goeatgive.com/. goeatgive.com/have-a-laugh-at-the-merry-cemetery-in-romania/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
"MERRY CEMETERY: A DIFFERENT WAY TO LOOK AT DEATH ." https://cimitirulveselsapanta.ro/. cimitirulveselsapanta.ro/who-we-are/. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Wallace, Lorna. "The 10 Most Unique Cemeteries Around the World ." https://www.fodors.com/. 7 Apr. 2023. www.fodors.com/news/photos/weird-and-unique-cemeteries-around-the-world. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Cap-Bun, Marina . "Attitudes towards Death in Romanian Culture and Civilization ." https://www.proquest.com/. 2 Jan. 2012. www.proquest.com/docview/1446905222?sourcetype=Scholarly%20Journals. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Thuras, Dylan. "The Merry Cemetery ." https://www.atlasobscura.com/. 21 May 2013. www.atlasobscura.com/places/merry-cemetery. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.