Buried Quote by Jean Stein
““In the center is Judge Theodore Sedgwick, the first of the Stockbridge Sedgwicks and a great-great-great-grandfather of Edie's and of mine, is buried under his tombstone, a high rising obelisk, and his wife Pamela is beside him. They are like the king and queen on a chessboard, and all around them like a pie are more modest stones, put in layers, back and round in a circle. The descendants of Judge Sedgwick, from generation unto generation, are all buried with their heads facing out and their feet pointing in toward their ancestor. The legend is that on Judgement Day when they arise and face the Judge, they will have to see no one but Sedgwicks.””
About This Quote
Source Book: Edie: The Life of Edie Sedgwick by Jean Stein, 2005
A family legend describes how the Sedgwick ancestors are buried facing each other, symbolizing enduring lineage and the belief that they will confront their judge together on Judgment Day.
In simple terms: Family burial tradition reflects lineage and destiny.
Key Takeaway
Honor ancestry and reflect on legacy.
Themes
family
tradition
legacy
myth
death
Mood
contemplative
mysterious
Type
cultural
historical
When to use this quote
- family reunions
- heritage tours
- historical research
- memorial design
Key Concepts
genealogy
symbolism
ritual
Questions to Reflect On
- How do burial customs shape family identity?
- What does facing the judge symbolize?
A Different Perspective
Legends may be embellished, obscuring factual history.
![“Perhaps [the critics are right and] the drama is played out now and Jesus is safely dead and buried. Perhaps. It is ironical and entertaining to consider that at least once in the world's history those words might have been said with complete conviction, and that was on the eve of the Resurrection.” quote by Dorothy L. Sayers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/467/dorothy-l-sayers-738_buried_perhaps-the-critics-are-right-and-the-dr_43252.jpg)
