Cities of the dead: a new book covers the most beautiful cemeteries in the world, from Glasgow to Georgia

Cities of the dead: A new book that opens eyes to "the world's most beautiful cemeteries", from Glasgow to Georgia and the Australian coastThe new book Cities of the Dead: The World's Most Beautiful Cemeteries is written by Yolanda Zappaterra The Editor says of the tome: "The stories behind these remarkable burial sites bring these shrines to life" READ MORE: First photos of Richard Branson's Majorca hotel unveiled when property opens to guests

By Ailbhe Macmahon For Mailonline

Updated: 1:23 PM BST, 1 Jul 2023

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Cemeteries are inherently dark places, but this new coffee table book strives to show the unexpected beauty they can hold.

Cities of the Dead: The World's Most Beautiful Cemeteries by Yolanda Zappaterra and published by Frances Lincoln Publishing features unique cemeteries that include an Australian Memorial Site overlooking the Tasman Sea, a "vibrant" cemetery filled with plants in the US state of Georgia and a remarkable Victorian cemetery in Bristol.

In the introduction, author Zappaterra writes: "Some were chosen for their physical attractiveness , but others for the globally significant historical and cultural periods they mark, or the famous people who gathered there, or their location, or whether one might want to be buried there.'

She continues: 'As with our cities of the living, the cities of the dead are windows to all aspects of humanity and its nature. Here, laid bare, are clearly visible humanity's potential for greatness - intelligence, personal achievement, philanthropy, generosity, creativity, imagination - but also our potential for weakness and failure - bloodlust, war, famine, greed and brutality.'

The editor weighs...