Caring for Your Family Tomb
Local experts help families preserve the unique above-ground tombs found across the New Orleans region.
Presented by the Historic New Orleans Collection in partnership with Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries, this 2022 workshop, led by local experts, discussed the legal responsibilities of managing family tombs, how to research their history, and best practices for restoration and upkeep.
Following the program, attendees toured historic Metairie Cemetery and learned about its rich and fascinating history and architectural gems. Panelists included:
- Heather Veneziano, director of public engagement and develop, New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries
- Sherri Peppo, executive director, New Orleans Catholic Cemeteries
- Emily Ford, cemetery superintendent, City of New Orleans
- Gerard “Jerry” Schoen, community outreach director, Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries
- Gilbert Bonnaffons, director of memorial construction, Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries
Workshop: Caring For Your Family Tomb
Learn about tips for how to preserve your family tomb, featuring Jason Church, Materials Conservator with the National Park Service's Center for Preservation Technology and Training.
Virtual Tour: Lake Lawn Metairie Cemetery
Take a virtual tour of Lake Lawn Metairie Funeral Home & Cemeteries, led by cemetery staff members Gerard “Jerry” Schoen, community outreach director, and Gilbert Bonnaffons, director of memorial construction.
Caring For Your Collections Resource Guide
Download HNOC's Resource Guide for caring for your collections, which includes a list of vetted vendors who can help with your preservation or research efforts.
Explore Caring for Your Collection
Since 1992, HNOC has developed programs about caring for the personal collections of our community. Explore our series of workshops designed to help you learn to properly inventory, handle, care for, and augment your objects and papers with HNOC staff and outside experts.
Related Resource
New Orleans Cemetery Database
Created in collaboration with Tulane University and Save Our Cemeteries, the New Orleans Cemetery Database provides digital access to data contained in the Survey of Historic New Orleans Cemeteries, which covers St. Louis No. 1 and St. Louis No. 2. Entries include names engraved on tombs, historical and contemporary condition reports, and photographs.
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