Istre Cemetery Grave Houses, Funerary structures in Morse, Louisiana, United States.
Istre Cemetery contains three protected grave houses in Morse, each built as a complete miniature dwelling with exterior siding, hinged doors, and windows positioned directly above burial sites. The structures demonstrate careful architectural planning that replicates every aspect of a real house in reduced scale.
The grave houses were constructed between 1900 and 1935, with the LeBlanc Grave House representing the oldest example from that period. They were built during an era when such burial structures were common across the region, reflecting how families invested in lasting memorial sites.
The grave houses represent a distinct burial tradition in Catholic communities across Louisiana, reflecting how families wanted to honor their dead through distinctive home-like structures. This approach shows regional customs visible in the building details and craftsmanship that shaped how people expressed respect at burial sites.
The grave houses are viewable from the cemetery grounds and accessible from outside without special restrictions. Visiting during dry weather makes walking around the grounds easier, and comfortable shoes are helpful for exploring the site and seeing the structures clearly.
Of an estimated forty original grave houses that once stood in the cemetery, only three authentic examples remain today. This rarity makes the surviving structures the last examples of this regional building tradition and shows how many historical structures have been lost over time.
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