Burials in Vermont: A Story Written in Stone

Vermont’s cemeteries are more than quiet resting places - they’re outdoor history books. Every headstone, from the earliest slate markers to polished granite monuments, tells a story about the people who lived here and the times they lived in.

In the 1700s, the first settlers often buried their loved ones in small plots near meetinghouses or crossroads. Stones were usually made of slate or local fieldstone, carved with stern images like winged skulls that reminded visitors of life’s shortness. Over time, those grim faces softened into angels and willows, showing a shift from strict Puritan views to more sentimental expressions of grief and remembrance.

One of the most fascinating figures from this era was Zerubabel Collins, a skilled stone carver who lived in Shaftsbury in the late 1700s. Collins had a distinctive style — faces with bold features, sweeping wings, and detailed floral borders. His work can still be found in Shaftsbury and Bennington cemeteries. When he began carving in Vermont’s marble, his stones stood out even more, glowing white in the sunlight. Collins passed away in Shaftsbury in 1797, but his craftsmanship remains a highlight of Vermont’s burial history.

By the 1800s, the “rural cemetery” movement brought larger, landscaped grounds designed for both remembrance and quiet walks. Vermont's natural resources played a big role in how cemeteries looked. White marble from the valleys became popular, followed later by the famous gray granite from Barre. Granite was strong, long-lasting, and could be polished into intricate shapes. Cemeteries like Hope in Barre became known as “open-air museums” of stone carving, filled with everything from classical angels to modern, personal designs.

Cemeteries also serve as records of community life. Family plots show the impact of epidemics, the sacrifices of soldiers, and the daily risks of farming life. The wording on headstones changed too - from long sermons to simple names and dates. Learn more about the long "s" used on headstones in the 17th and 18th century. It is quite interesting. Even today, volunteers and local towns work to preserve these markers, carefully cleaning and resetting stones so future generations can keep reading Vermont's story.

Walk through Grandview or Center Shaftsbury Cemetery at sunset and you can see centuries of history lined up in stone. Early slate carvings stand next to marble tablets, and granite obelisks tower above them. Among them, the work of Collins and other carvers still speaks across time. These cemeteries are not only final resting places, but also lasting reminders of Vermont’s people, their beliefs, and the artistry of those who shaped their memorials.