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Taphophilia (dot) Com...
A repository of morbid curiosities:
Thanatology and Taphophile Issues, Cemetery,
Funeral Industry and Death Related News.
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Macabre collection goes on show |
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Written by DeadGirl
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Sunday, 31 October 2004 |
PETER WILLIAMSON
29 October 2004
Some people collect porcelain, paintings and works of art. Others add interest to their homes with anything from displays of model cars and military medals to needlepoint and embroidery. But Kay Groom's interest is more surprising - and macabre - than that.
In a ground-floor room at home she keeps her own coffin, made to measure and lined in red satin - plus about 300 ornamental skulls collected over eight years, and a skeleton.
Her unusual collection derives from an interest in death, which first began about 15 years ago.
Miss Groom explained: "I suppose it's because the whole thing is a mystery and I'd like to know, as soon as you die, what happens to your body.
"That's what the fascination is - what happens, the procedure your body goes through, the stages of deterioration and so on.
"Death is something that so many people seem to be frightened of but I don't think you should be frightened. It has got to happen to everybody and the one true certainty in life is that one day we shall all die."
She added: "I find the whole process so fascinating because death is the one last mystery in life and I enjoy preparing my mind for it.
"I've decided that I want to be buried because in a way it is all part of nature's recycling process, a way of putting ourselves back into nature after we have gone."
She added: "I have been thinking of buying a plot of land somewhere for my burial and I shall probably do that one day. I don't where it will be yet or what kind of area it will be but it will be somewhere I want to go."
On Sunday evening, she will be celebrating Halloween by throwing open her collection at 7 St John's Court, off London Street, Swaffham - where a wooden house sign depicts a coffin and the word Dunliving.
Miss Groom - who at 42 hopes it will be many years before she has to take up residence in the coffin made by a craftsman in King's Lynn - said: "I don't usually celebrate Halloween.
"But I thought I'd open the room up so that when kids and adults come round for trick or treat they can view everything."
She and her partner, Geoff Baldock, plan to enter into the spirit by dressing up in suitable costumes.
"We're going to put some food on, be a bit scary and make a special evening of it for a couple of hours."
Her collection of ornamental skulls began when she bought one for her daughter, who is now 24.
"It's a candle skull, white with black eyes and teeth. She didn't like it so I kept it instead and my collection stems from there. I became addicted to skulls because I can see the beauty in them where nobody else can.
"They're all models - if you can get me a real one, I'll pay you good money - and range from the tiniest one about half and inch tall to the biggest one which is massive and cost me about £300.
"I've got a full-size skeleton which I bought from a chiropractor for £150 and I had my own coffin made to measure. I even had to go for a fitting.
"I had it made because I want to be ready when the time comes. At least I've been in it and experienced it. It's very comfy. I had my sister line it with red satin with a black fringe and gold studs. I picked my own brass handles."
Miss Groom, a factory worker in Lynn, added: "Everything is in the same room. It's very macabre. Geoff thinks I'm mad - so does everybody else. They just call me macabre, a witch, and morbid."
The display will be open at her home from 5-7pm on Sunday.
http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=edponline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED28%20Oct%202004%2016%3A55%3A12%3A710 |
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Taphophilia?
taphophilia (taf′ō-fil′ē-ă)
ORIGIN:
From the Greek words taphos, meaning "tomb" or "sepulcher" and philia, meaning "attraction or affinity to something, in particular the love or obsession with something"
DEFINITION: 1. An excessive interest in graves and cemeteries. 2. A love or fondness for funerals, graves, and cemeteries. 3. In psychiatry, a morbid attraction to graves and cemeteries
Quote Repository
“T'is true, and is certain; man though dead retains, Part of himself: the immortal mind remains.” Alexander Pope
Shirtless and Sculpted
The Men of Mortuaries 2008 Calendar is now available! All sale proceeds benefit KAMMCARES, a breast cancer foundation.
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