Visiting a cemetery in a small, rural area requires some advance preparation. Below are some tips in preparing for the outing.

Determine of there is a caretaker for the cemetery. Asking a few simple questions abut the condition and exact location of the cemetery will go a long way in preparing for the visit. If at all possible, arrange a time and date to have the caretaker to meet you there. Chances are, this person knows more about who is buried there than you realize. If the cemetery has no caretaker, take a moment to visually survey the environment before you begin your journey through the past. How big is it? Is it overgrown or in a wooded area? How do you enter and exit ? If you are visiting during warm weather, are there trees for shade?

If you have to travel out of town to investigate a cemetery, please consider the weather conditions for each region before you plan your trip. For example, Florida is a very humid state during the summer going into early fall. Arizona can reach temperatures well into the hundreds during the summer and that's in the shade! You should also consider the natural predators that tend to make their presence known during the summer: red ants, mosquitoes, ticks, wasps, spiders, field mice and snakes. The best time to visit a cemetery is in the spring or fall. Alas, if you must go in the summer, then go to the cemetery very early in the morning before the sun begins to warm things up.

Based upon the location and the season, dress appropriately. Remember, many African American cemeteries are located in the thick of woods where you might find more predators than the few mentioned above. make it difficult for mosquitoes and ticks by wearing long sleeves, jeans and closed-toe shoes. Gardener gloves and wide brimmed will also be a plus.

Finally, on the day before you plan to walk the cemetery, drive by it first to see if you have a cell phone signal. If you don't, you should try and have another person to go with you for the official walk through. Safety should be of paramount interest but accidents do happen and it is important the emergency personnel can be called upon if needed.