I have been looking for places to find autumn colours and one idea I had last week was to visit Pinehills cemetery in Scarborough. I didn’t find many colourful leaves but I did find a few things. The most noticeable was the mix of names on the stones – Chinese, Italian, Spanish, Greek, and more, all mixed in together. In Toronto we often live side by side and it seems that we are also buried side by side – as in the three people below: Baffa, Rajamohan, and Gutierrez.
below: Black stones with crosses on the top seem to be the prefered headstone for those in the Greek community who are buried here. Sometimes the name is in English, and sometimes in Greek.
below: Cemeteries are fascinating in that they give us a glimpses into cultures and traditions. The decorating of grave sites with flowers and figurines adds a bit of joy to an otherwise somber setting. You know that these people are remembered and their lives celebrated.
below: A large shamrock. Beneath it, a Miss Kitty doll in purple and a pair of boxing gloves with the Irish flag. Doesn’t it make you wonder why? Was Frank Murphy a boxer? What will my descendants leave by my grave?
below: I assume that the red tape covers an inscription that is already on the headstone for the spouse of the departed? Perhaps a name and birthdate? Written vertically in Mandarin…. and I wish that I could read some of them. Is there something written about the deceased? Is there an epitaph? I’ll have to be content to look at the lotus flower, bamboo, and dragons that decorate the stones.
below: As I was leaving, this coyote came sauntering across the grass. It wasn’t the least bit afraid of me (in my car).
as I walk Toronto 
Hello.
Great post! I visit cemeteries every now and then.
Have a wonderful dy!
Most Chinese stones do not have epitaphs. For the last image it simply indicates the name of the deceased, that she is the mother, the birth country and village, along with these dates of birth and death. The red duct tape is likely for engraving the spouse. Since there is only one birth village engraved, the husband and wife came from the same one.
I’m at a cemetery in Oakville now & also noticed the red tape over some Chinese headstones. I looked it up & found your site. Still dont know why l, but will do more research.
No coyotes here, for now!🙂
See comment above yours for the reason for the red tape.
The coyotes must be hiding behind the stones!
Hi,
The purpose of the red tape is to cover the name of the surviving spouse for not to bring bad luck to the alive spouse.
Both of the couple’s names were usually engraved on the tombstone when one of them passed away. Since the surviving spouse is still alive and not to bring bad luck to him/her, his/her name usually is covered by red tape until he/her passed away. Red symbolizes good luck and longevity.