Eastside 101: Xmas at Resurrection Cemetery
December 24, 2007 at 11:05 pm in East Side, Holidays, Seasonal, Which Side?

(click on the images for a larger version)
Resurrection has got to be one of the liveliest most active cemeteries around; it’s always packed with people during the holidays and they never seem to be mourning. I’m sure a few are but mostly it seems like visitors come to be closer to their departed, do a bit of grave site cleaning, and maybe even have a one way conversation with the loved ones. On this recent trip I saw a guy hold a cell phone to the patch of grass so some other relative or friend on the other end could say a few words to whomever was buried on that spot. I don’t dare imagine the roaming charges for dialing up the dead. But one of the most striking features of Resurrection is the way many families decorate the graves, no matter what the holiday may be. This time around, there are lots of tiny christmas trees all over the place, and more than a few large ones as well, like the one in the picture above. I only took a few pics this time which you can view by clicking ahead. I hope to come back soon and do some extensive nosing about, like taking a pic of the sign that sez ‘no drinking, no lawn chairs, no party atmosphere.’ The need for that sign makes me proud to be Chicano!

I recommend clicking on the pictures to see the larger version, as my camera and lack of photo skills collude to lose lots of the details. The pic above is a quick drive by but it still captures a bit of the holiday theme at the panteón.
Poinsettias and people, all mixed into the background. Not all of us leave LA to see our families.
A couple of santas bring xmas cheer to the six feet under crowd. I should mention that even though Resurrection Cemetery is in Montebello, beyond the East LA boundaries, it’s still part of the Eastside landscape. Most Eastsiders know of someone buried here, or are possibly making arrangements to make it the final destination. Which just goes to show that if any boundaries are “fluid”, it’s most likely in defining the Easternmost edge of the Eastside, in cities like Montebello, Alhambra, and Monterey Park that I doubt want to have any association with that label. But Eastside culture is accustomed to crossing arbitrary borders, even where it’s not wanted, just so you know!
Resurrection Cemetery
966 North Potrero Grande Drive
Montebello, CA 90640
323.887.2024
Google map of all Eastside 101 locations.
Related posts:




