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Cemetery Tour: Death & Dying
Join your Colonial costumed guide as they take you on a fascinating journey through the intriguing beliefs of the early Moravians regarding mortality and spirituality.
The tour reveals the distinctive Moravian methods employed to announce the passing of a church/family member. Discover the compelling purpose behind the Death Tray and how it was used.
Wander through God’s Acre, Bethlehem’s oldest cemetery, as you explore the incredible tales of the individuals laid to rest there. Learn about the Moravians’ exceptional perspective on equality and how it transcended even in life’s final moments.
Suggested Itineraries Which Include the Cemetery Tour: Death & Dying Walking Tour
For the Story Collector – Offered Fridays
God’s Acre hold more than headstones – it hold stories. This pairing follows the Old Bethlehem Walking Tour’s account of the town’s history into the individual tales uncovered among the graves at Bethlehem’s oldest cemetery.
Suggested itinerary:
- 1:00 PM: Old Bethlehem Walking Tour – 90 minutes
- 2:30-3:00 PM: Free time on Main Street
- 3:00 PM: Cemetery Tour: Death & Dying Walking Tour – 90 minutes
For the Legacy & Meaning Seeker – offered Fridays
A slower-paced afternoon for guests who’d rather wander than rush – from the Single Sisters’ House and the 1752 Apothecary to the quiet rows of God’s Acre, Bethlehem’s oldest cemetery, where a costumed guide shares how a colonial community organized daily life – medicine, residences, neighbors – and how it marked loss, down to specific customs like the Death Tray once used to announce a death.
Suggested itinerary:
- 12:00 PM: Branching Out: Moravian Museum Admission & Tour of Nearby Historic Sites – 45 minutes
- 12:45-3:00 PM: Lunch & Free time on Main Street
- 3:00 PM: Cemetery Tour: Death & Dying Walking Tour – 90 minutes
Walking Tour Accessibility
Historic Bethlehem’s guided walking tours take you through the heart of Bethlehem’s National Historic Landmark District – the same grounds where history actually happened. Tours typically runs about 90 minutes at a comfortable walking pace, moving along brick and paved sidewalks, a few gentle hills, and some sloped or possibly grassy stretches between stops. It’s part of what makes the experience feel real rather than staged.
If you have questions about a specific tour, or want help planning your visit, call the Historic Bethlehem Heritage Concierge Service at 1-800-360-TOUR (8687). We’re happy to walk through the details with you and find the right fit.
What is the typical pace of the tours?
Tours are typically around 90 minutes. This is around 90 minutes of walking and standing, with stops along the way to take in the sights and stories. Seating is available at only a few points along the route.
What is the terrain?
The terrain is a mix of brick and paved sidewalks, with some uneven, sloped, or grassy sections. Comfortable, closed-toe shoes are highly recommended.
Are there inclines or slopes on these tours?
Most routes are gently sloped. The Bethlehem and the Revolution, Birthplace of Industry, and Mystery & History Tours include a steeper paved incline between the Historic District and the Colonial Industrial Quarter. It’s a great chance to see the landscape that shaped the city’s industry.
Are there stairs on the tours?
The Grist Miller’s House, 1741 Gemeinhaus, and the Single Sisters’ House are original 18th-century buildings without elevators, so there is a flight or two of steeper historic stairs. Guests on the Branching Out Tour, which includes the Gemeinhaus and the Single Sisters’ House, and the Birthplace of Industry Tour, which includes the Grist Miller’s House, are welcome to remain on the main floor. Our guides are happy to describe what is on the other floors, and Branching Out Tour attendees can watch a video at the Gemeinhaus showing what they would see on the second floor of the building.
Are the tours wheelchair and mobility device friendly?
Many outdoor sections of our tour routes are navigable with a manual or power wheelchair. Some brick and sloped areas may be more challenging for certain devices, and we’re glad to help you find the route that works best.
