My name is Richard Enriquez and I’m a native of Southern California. I enjoy taking pictures for Find A Grave because it allows me to volunteer when I have time and when it fits into my schedule.

I’ve always found it interesting how in death we’re all reduced to whatever fits on our headstone. There is so much of our lives left untold, and so many who are forgotten forever because there is no way to track where they are. I believe that Find A Grave does a lot to help address this and that’s why I’m a part of it.

When I was younger I used to fear cemeteries because of all the negative thoughts attributed to death and dying. As much as it scared me, I was always curious about the dying process. I got to see death first hand in the passing of my father, who, after years of fighting disease, accepted death with courage. The experience really opened my eyes about death and dying and I’ve come to accept it as an important part of life. I no longer fear the cemeteries and find them peaceful, as well as a constant reminder that we should all be grateful for the life we’re still living.

I’ve been working most recently on taking pictures at the Wilmington Cemetery in Wilmington, CA. I also visit the Queen of Heaven cemetery in Rowland Heights on a regular basis also. I would be happy to take request for photos for these cemeteries and other cemeteries near Long Beach, CA, which is where I live.

If you’re requesting pictures at a Catholic cemetery that is part of the Los Angeles Diocese, please be aware that the cemeteries are discouraged from giving plot information to non-family members. Most of these cemeteries are large, so I would request that you contact the cemetery directly to get the plot location ahead of time, because otherwise it’s difficult to locate your loved ones without having plot information in advance. If you have a rough idea of where your loved one is located, please share as much detailed information as you have and I’ll do my best to locate them.

If I happen to have ownership of a memorial that belongs to a family member of yours, I will gladly transfer ownership to you as long as they’re not already part of my family also.

It’s always sad for me to wander upon a grave of someone who died much too young. The infant section of the cemetery is always touching to me, as well as graves of young men and women in their teens or early 20’s. Their lives should just be starting and yet they’ve ended much too soon, often due to violent crimes. Let’s all do our best to steer clear of trouble and be around for those who need us.

:-)

Update February 2016 - I apologize in advance if some of my pictures aren't up to standards. The heavy rains in California have turned many of our cemeteries into mud patches and many headstones have been covered in mud. The cemeteries are doing their best to fix this but many of the lawns are still too wet to drive upon. If I happen to take a picture that does not meet to your liking, please let me know and I will attempt again in a month or so when I hope the conditions are better.

My name is Richard Enriquez and I’m a native of Southern California. I enjoy taking pictures for Find A Grave because it allows me to volunteer when I have time and when it fits into my schedule.

I’ve always found it interesting how in death we’re all reduced to whatever fits on our headstone. There is so much of our lives left untold, and so many who are forgotten forever because there is no way to track where they are. I believe that Find A Grave does a lot to help address this and that’s why I’m a part of it.

When I was younger I used to fear cemeteries because of all the negative thoughts attributed to death and dying. As much as it scared me, I was always curious about the dying process. I got to see death first hand in the passing of my father, who, after years of fighting disease, accepted death with courage. The experience really opened my eyes about death and dying and I’ve come to accept it as an important part of life. I no longer fear the cemeteries and find them peaceful, as well as a constant reminder that we should all be grateful for the life we’re still living.

I’ve been working most recently on taking pictures at the Wilmington Cemetery in Wilmington, CA. I also visit the Queen of Heaven cemetery in Rowland Heights on a regular basis also. I would be happy to take request for photos for these cemeteries and other cemeteries near Long Beach, CA, which is where I live.

If you’re requesting pictures at a Catholic cemetery that is part of the Los Angeles Diocese, please be aware that the cemeteries are discouraged from giving plot information to non-family members. Most of these cemeteries are large, so I would request that you contact the cemetery directly to get the plot location ahead of time, because otherwise it’s difficult to locate your loved ones without having plot information in advance. If you have a rough idea of where your loved one is located, please share as much detailed information as you have and I’ll do my best to locate them.

If I happen to have ownership of a memorial that belongs to a family member of yours, I will gladly transfer ownership to you as long as they’re not already part of my family also.

It’s always sad for me to wander upon a grave of someone who died much too young. The infant section of the cemetery is always touching to me, as well as graves of young men and women in their teens or early 20’s. Their lives should just be starting and yet they’ve ended much too soon, often due to violent crimes. Let’s all do our best to steer clear of trouble and be around for those who need us.

:-)

Update February 2016 - I apologize in advance if some of my pictures aren't up to standards. The heavy rains in California have turned many of our cemeteries into mud patches and many headstones have been covered in mud. The cemeteries are doing their best to fix this but many of the lawns are still too wet to drive upon. If I happen to take a picture that does not meet to your liking, please let me know and I will attempt again in a month or so when I hope the conditions are better.