The Roofed Graves of Delmarva

Between the 1930s and 1970s, a handful of writers mentioned old, mysterious, roof-like grave covers in cemeteries in Sussex and Wicomico counties on the Delmarva Peninsula. Their origins were unknown, but they were believed to be one to two hundred years old. Most marked graves without headstones. Since then, the roofed graves of Delmarva have been all but forgotten.

Chris Slavens presents all of the available information about roofed graves, including newspaper articles, book excerpts, and old photographs, and investigates connections to Southern grave shelters and American Indian burial customs.