People make a lot of generalizations about those of us who work in the funeral profession… we hang around in graveyards all day, we are fascinated by death, and we all wish we were members of the Adams Family.

But apart from that last one that’s just a misconception (for the most part, anyway), death, graveyards and all of the “spooky” things that are associated with them just come with the job when you are a funeral professional.

We hang around in graveyards because we work in them, and we are fascinated by death because we’re constantly trying to come up with better ways to celebrate those who have passed.

But that’s not to say that we don’t also like to embrace the “spooky” every once in awhile. (This coffin business card holder and necklace are still at the top of our birthday wish list!)

That’s why we were so excited to see that the stars had aligned, and this upcoming National Funeral Directors Association (NFDA) Convention was taking place in Boston over Halloween. After all, what could be better than a bunch of funeral professionals running around America’s oldest and most haunted cities on the spookiest night of the year?

This Halloween at NFDA 2017, embrace the weird and unnatural by checking out these spooky sights in and around Boston…

1. Walk through King’s Chapel Burying Ground

Founded in 1630, King’s Chapel is Boston’s oldest cemetery… and it’s been dubbed as one of the worst places out there to rest in peace. Rumors have it that a man was once buried alive in this historic cemetery, and a woman was beheaded by grave diggers in order to “help” her fit in her small burial space. The headstones in the graveyard themselves have also been uprooted twice, which pretty much guarantees a graveyard full of restless spirits… including notable burials such as Mary Chilton, a Plymouth Pilgrim who was the first European woman to step ashore in New England. It has also been reported by visitors that many often feel like they are “being watched” when they step foot in this cemetery… so watch your back when you walk through.

2. Take an evening trip to Salem

There is no place in the country more famous for celebrating Halloween than Salem, Massachusetts. This coastal town, just a 30 minute train ride outside of Boston, is famous for its historic hosting of the Salem Witch Trials of 1692. The entire city is a mix of different spooky sites, including the Salem Witch Museum and the The Witch House—the home of Judge Jonathan Corwin, who infamously sent nineteen people to the gallows for witchcraft during the Salem Witch Trials. (It’s the only structure still standing in Salem with direct ties to the trials.)

Another site worth checking out in Salem? The supposedly haunted Bunghole Liquors, which was formerly a funeral home during the day, but a speakeasy at night during the Prohibition era. (The name of the liquor store was derived from the slang term that locals would call their secret meeting spot.) Locals would gather alongside embalming equipment in the basement of this funeral home, and indulge in some illegal booze and gambling. According to locals, two ghosts—a female spirit and ghostly cat—can be seen browsing the wine racks in lurking in the corners of the basement from time to time.

3. Go on the Dark Side of Boston tour

Why see the pleasant, relaxing and beautiful side of Boston, when there is a much more interesting (and spooky) side, full of fright, fear and misfortune? This year, NFDA is sponsoring an original guided walk through Boston’s darker side, full of crime, disease, death and disaster… and it’s all based on true historical events that occurred throughout the city’s history. According the the tour itinerary, guests can experience the dangers of Richmond Street, body snatchers, and the infamous Brink’s Robbery, “all against the background of Boston’s oldest neighborhood!” If you want to sign up for this pleasant tour of Boston’s dark side, register for the tour through NFDA here.

4. Visit Granary Park burying grounds

While Granary Park may only be the third oldest burying grounds in Boston, founded in 1660, it is host to some of the most famous historical spirits you could imagine. This history cemetery is the final resting place for three signers of the Declaration of Independence—Samuel Adams, John Hancock and Robert Treat Paine. It is also reported that the spirit of Paul Revere, who is also buried here, will take midnight rides on his famous horse around the burial grounds. Many other shadowy figures, glowing orbs and ghostly faces have also been reported from visitors throughout the years, for those who are looking for a side of paranormal activity with their graveyard visit.

5. Take a trolley tour of ghosts and gravestones

If you are fascinated in the sordid history behind some of Boston’s most historic gravestones, the Ghosts and Gravestones tour is the activity for you. This 90-minute ghoulish trolley tour will take you on a ride through 400 year-old burial grounds, where you will hear stories of grave-robbing, punishments, executions and even tales of people being buried alive. You will also get to ride by Boston’s most haunted hotel, and explore some of the city’s most frightening murder sights and haunted locations. This “frightseeing” tour is not for the faint of heart.

6. Get dressed up in the funeralOne photobooth

It just wouldn’t be Halloween if you didn’t get to dress up, put on a mask and snap silly photos with your friends. So that is just what we will be doing at our funeralOne photobooth all throughout NFDA 2017! Come stop by Booth #2761 and dress up like your true self, whether that’s a superhero or a clown. We will have tons of fun props and costumes for you to dress up in, and you’ll get to take home a fun photo memento from your time at NFDA!

Are you heading to Boston for NFDA 2017? If so, what are YOU most excited about checking out when you are in the city? Be sure to let us know in the comments below.

Rilee Chastain

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