Jennie Roosevelt Pool, by the way, was a cousin of President “Teddy” Roosevelt. Her sister, Katherine Babcock, chose this 7-ton Carrera marble statue, a 1911 reproduction by Antonio Bernieri of the “Angel of Grief Over the Dismantled Altar of Life” in Rome by William Wetmore Story to mark her sister’s grave. This tomb is in Cypress Lawn Cemetery in Colma, California but, there are several other reproductions on other tombs in the U.S.
An angel, hair pulled back, is draped over a simple curved four-sided pedestal, set atop four tiered slabs. A carved wreath features prominently on the front of the pedestal. The angel’s feet trail down the slabs, and the wings are forward around the pedestal. The slab touching the ground is concrete and the rest of the tomb is white marble. Engraved on the front of the second slab is “ETERNAL REST.” The third tier bears the name “JENNIE ROOSEVELT POOL.”
Angels in various states of distress (from despondent to exultant) are a common funerary theme in much of Europe and the USA. This one is positively disconsolate.
An angel, hair pulled back, is draped over a simple curved four-sided pedestal, set atop four tiered slabs. A carved wreath features prominently on the front of the pedestal. The angel’s feet trail down the slabs, and the wings are forward around the pedestal. The slab touching the ground is concrete and the rest of the tomb is white marble. Engraved on the front of the second slab is “ETERNAL REST.” The third tier bears the name “JENNIE ROOSEVELT POOL.”
This was the first cemetery photo I ever took - Stanley Cemetery, Tasmania. Three weathered crosses, standing watch over the sea, quietly invited me into a world of memory, history, and stillness. That moment became the beginning of Gardens of the Silent.
Here, I share images from cemeteries across Australia - spaces where time softens, stories linger, and beauty often hides in plain sight. Each photo is a gesture of respect, a glimpse into lives once lived, and a reminder that silence can speak volumes.
Whether you're drawn to heritage, reflection, or the quiet poetry of stone and shadow, I hope this page offers you a place to pause, feel, and connect.