For many El Paso families who have lost loved ones, cemeteries aren’t just a final resting place for the ones they’ve lost, they’re sacred spaces where families go to keep their loved ones’ memory alive. Whether it’s dropping off fresh flowers, planting a tree, or simply sitting and catching up with someone who’s no longer physically here, those little acts help many people cope with loss.
For my family, Mount Carmel Cemetery holds deep meaning. It’s where both of my grandparents were laid to rest. My parents go often to clean the area, replace flowers, and feel close to them. But this past week, their visit turned heartbreaking when they realized that some of the items they had placed on the gravesites were not there anymore.
Some new statues they had placed on my grandpa’s headstone were removed and not gently removed, but thrown in the back like trash. And sadly, it wasn’t just us…