Tapho-what??? Sounds clinical, like some nasty condition…

It’s not, though! The term is created with two Ancient Greek words – taphos (‘funeral, burial, grave’) and philia (‘love, fondness’). So, taphophilia literally translates to ‘loving graves’ – a passion for cemeteries and funerals. Recently, it’s expanded to include a fascination with death-related art and history.

I get it, most people think it’s creepy, but honestly, it’s no different from cosplaying, building train models, or collecting stamps! Also, not every word ending in ‘-philia’ or ‘-phile’ means a pathological obsession. A bibliophile loves books, an antophile – flowers, and a hylophile’s all about forests.

And hey, just to clear things up: it’s a whole other thing than necrophilia, which involves a sick, sexual attraction to dead bodies!

You still think it’s an odd hobby? Well, check out Instagram hashtags like #cemeterylove, #cemeterywandering or #gravehunter – you’ll be surprised how many people are into it! I bet you even know one…

Not sure? Well, here’s a little checklist on how to spot a taphophile!

We love visiting burial grounds and we do it regularly. Whether it’s a quick walk through or a two-hour stroll – we’re into it. We know the oldest graves at our local cemetery and can travel for hours to check out an interesting one in another city. Any trip requires a quick Google search just in case there’s a burial ground worth a visit nearby. A dream holiday? Worldwide tour of historical cemeteries and catacombs, of course!

Whether it’s a moss-covered angel statue or an ornate headstone with a worn-out epitaph, each one feels super special and just perfectly nostalgic, so we take pictures… A lot of pictures! We’ve got thousands of them – and I’m not exaggerating! – some organized neatly in folders, and others… well, not so much.

You know, visiting graves of our favourite writers, actors and artists… But also criminals, murderers and their victims. Or someone who died in some unusual way. It doesn’t have to be a historically significant person – we’re all about uncovering forgotten gems. There are so many extraordinary tales buried out there!

Our fascination with all things morbid makes decaying buildings seem like eerily beautiful reminders of life’s fragility. Each one is unique and endlessly intriguing, sparking our imagination like nothing else. Who lived here? How this place looked like back then? It’s just another excuse for a little research! We’re especially drawn to spots with dark history – prisons, asylums, murder sites… We want to visit them all – and snap some pics, of course!

We read books, articles and blogs. We binge-watch documentaries and listen to podcasts like it’s our job. Unsolved mysteries, paranormal investigations uncovering dark secrets from the past, serial killers – bring it on! When we’re not out exploring cemeteries, you’ll find us researching nose-deep in archives and libraries. Give us an old map and watch us light up like kids on Christmas, hunting down lost buildings and burial sites. Each discovery is like a part of historical jigsaw puzzle – and piecing them together is our idea of a good time!

We know the ways different eras have dealt with death and mortality, and we’ve got a stash of morbid tales from art, social and fashion history. Our brains are bursting with knowledge, and we feel the urge to share it – usually when nobody expects it. Wanna chat about the symbolism of funerary monuments or Victorian mourning customs? Both? Ok! We can go on for HOURS! And guess what? We will – whether you want us to, or not!

The vibe of overgrown cemeteries and ruins is a goldmine of inspiration for creatives among us! We can be drawing, painting, taking pictures, composing music or writing poetry. Just imagine – being an artist in residence at your favourite historical burial ground, working in a studio inside a charming old chapel on its ground, with the possibility to spend the night there… Hey, one can dream, right?!

Ghost stories? Yes, please! We love sharing our own spooky encounters, as well as watching films and documentaries about haunted places. Our bookshelves are full of books on past lives, near-death experiences and alternate dimensions. And ghost-hunting? Oh, we’re pros, hitting up supernatural activity hotspots armed with a camera and EVP recorder, hoping to catch some evidence. Of course, you can’t be interested in afterlife without trying to communicate with the other side! Some of us have the gift and do it naturally, while others visit psychic mediums for a little chit-chat session.

We like horror films, especially when there’s an eerie, slow-burning mystery involved. The more it makes our imagination run wild, the better! Psychological thrillers, gore-filled slashers with barely any plot, or classic horror-comedies – there’s a subgenre for everyone! And let’s not forget video games! Again, some are into atmospheric spook fests with interwoven jump scares, while others prefer blood-soaked nightmares. Whatever floats your haunted boat!

We secretly (or not) enjoy the atmosphere of funerals, with the unique scent of an old chapel, candles and flowers… With mourning people gathered around a coffin, and creepy yet beautiful songs in the background… We all have that one, favourite ceremony, that we just can’t forget about! Some people plan their wedding day years ahead – we have a detailed vision of our funeral, with a perfect coffin, outfit, music, flowers and gravestone design… Oh, and a guest list, of course!

We like filling our space with all things morbid. Halloween over Christmas? Absolutely! Spooky decorations all year long? You bet! Think Ouija board cushions, skull-shaped candle holders, and bedding set with poisonous plants pattern. Our walls are covered with unsettling art and calendars with cemetery pictures. Antique oddities and ephemera? You’ll find everything from memorial hairwork to porcelain dolls and stuffed animals. Creeping the hell out of our guests? Oops…!

We’re into all sorts of keepsakes. They can be antiques like mourning jewellery, Victorian funeral cards and post-mortem photography – or we can go for contemporary treasures, like original props and merch from favourite films and video games. If we can afford it, we’re building the collection. If not – books about them will do just fine. Budgeting? Let’s just say that money management isn’t exactly our strong suit when it comes to passion…

Our social media feeds are often like a graveyard of a dark humour memes, misunderstood by most people. We find sinister subjects like death, distress and misfortune particularly amusing. We tend to casually comment on things in a morbid way, only to realise by the frosty silence and uncomfortable stares of the others, that we were socially awkward AGAIN – joking about the great unmentionable! Oh well… Scientists have recently confirmed that a dark and twisted sense of humour is actually a mark of superior intelligence – so who’s laughing now, eh?

Acknowledging the lives of those who came before us and feeling a sense of connection with the past, often sparks an interest in genealogy. We’re tracing ancestors using tombstone info, as well as birth, marriage and death records from archives. Plus, we’re grilling the oldest family members for stories and old pictures. Creating a family tree is such a great way to bond with those who are no longer with us, even when you never had a chance to meet them!

Contrary to a popular belief, we’re not all goths, rocking black velvet and laces from head to toe. We can wear clothes or jewellery with a spooky vibe, but there’s no one-size-fits-all style. Most of us fly under the radar, blending in with the regular crowd – as long as we can keep our mouths shut to prevent info dumping… The one thing I’ve noticed we all share? Comfy shoes – a must have for cemetery and urbex adventures!

Some people may like it all, others only few of these things. Some have been into it since they were kids, others pick it up later in life. It can be a casual interest or a full-blown obsession.

As for me? Born on the big day of ancient Slavic goddess of death, it feels like I was destined for taphophilia from day one – and rolling with it ever since! Started out as a little weirdo casually chatting with ghosts, then evolved into a teenager hanging out in abandoned houses and designing own tombstone for a school project.

Fascinated with the past? You bet! I spent nearly a decade in dusty archives, obsessively researching a random guy buried under a mossy gravestone in a tiny Mazovian village two centuries ago. And, of course, I’m a member of a local history society, duh! 

The most taphophilic thing I’ve ever done? Oh, that would be moving from Lodz (Poland) to London at the age of 30 – purely for its epic cemeteries and dark history quirks! Then, living above a funeral home, with a hearse permanently parked outside my window. The third one would be creating series of Victorian Ghosts illustrations, inspired by antique photography – they’re all haunting homes around the world now.

Family? Hubby’s a bit concerned about my collection of mourning jewellery, and my sister won’t sleep in the same room with my porcelain dolls – but they both fully accept me. Friends? I guess they got used to my dark sense of humour and info-dumping with morbid facts they never asked for. Co-workers find my fascination with serial killers a bit disturbing, but we get along fine. Others? Well, if I had a penny for every time someone called me a creep, I’d be swimming in cash by now!

Do I care? Not at all!

How about you? Into any of these things? Taphophile level pro or a newbie?

Let me know your story in the comments!