Necrologist

A common black top hat which suits all solemn occasions which require formal attire. It's not valuable in terms of price, yet it always brings some comfort to the bereaved families.

A tri-cornered hat with feathers that tremble slightly, as if harboring a mysterious will of its own.

It appeared on an ordinary morning, bringing the interviewee a distant call, an unexpected voyage, and an extended duty.

Flower-shaped brooches are common, but only a few people will choose to wear a real white chrysanthemum. It doesn't take any sophisticated arcane skill to keep it bloom. More important, I think, is a heart which is always open to embrace what is lost in life.

A piece of dead coral, heavy on the shoulder, like the fingers and bones of the departed. The interviewee explains that at its core, it is a flower, its life is marked by transformation and sedimentation until it reaches its final form—a bloom that will never wither.

And so, she continues to cherish it, holding it delicately.

It may come from some muddy trail in the forest, some weed-covered mound, or some cliff weathered by rain.

Most tombstones in the museum come from these places. They have been long forgotten, but they were eventually given a new home.

A fossilized turbo, with distant wind sounds and untold whispers filling its shell.

"It was salvaged from a deep sea trench, murmuring love, regret, and wishes. Until these whispers cease, I shall keep sailing."

Happiness is a luxury, and especially at the national level. At this time, wars break out like incurable, stubborn diseases across the land. They spread to different countries along the rivers and in the wind.

Behind them follows death.

Even though large-scale outbreaks of infectious disease are rare in recorded history, those who suffered from them can hardly have a happy ending in most cases.

At the time, most countries on Earth were suffering from a disease called World War II. Complications included 70 million deaths and even more injuries.

Necrologist is not an outstanding doctor. She has a clear knowledge of her lack of talent in medicine since she is afraid of blood. Well, if her affinity with the dead is any advantage, she could have probably become an outstanding psychic.

But she didn't take that path, at least not yet.

About Tombstone Museum

* Built in Vaduz in 1941.

* A special museum in the smallest scale, displaying the least complete collection and providing the noisiest environment for visits.

* The tombstones are neither of the same age nor from one specific era. You can look for their similarities closely, but do pay attention to your manners.

* You may enter the museum through the front door and explore it via the atrium. Most tombstones are in a long sleep, so please keep your voice down. Of course you can also come in from the side door to reach the warehouse through the corridor, but please confirm you have no history of heart disease and wear noise-cancelling equipment before entering.

* We always welcome every tombstone-related entrustment and are always ready to receive tombstones through social donation, personal donation or private wills.

* Open 24/7 to the public.

Pandora Wilson: I seldom have interviews in a normal place like this.

Necrologist: Is this an important part of social interaction? Sorry, I'm not very sharp in this aspect ...

Necrologist: We can go out to where I work if you like! It's just ... I don't have a fixed location of work, and it takes a long time to find the next location, as tombstones could be anywhere ... And there may be dangers hidden in the dark, for they are mostly in haunted places. Besides ...

Pandora Wilson: Ahem! It's okay. This place is fine.

Necrologist: Oh, was I being long-winded? I'm sorry!

Pandora Wilson: No offense, but I'm really curious—is this a habit you developed after communicating with so many tombstone friends simultaneously for so long?

Necrologist: ... When it involves the wishes of the deceased, I always hope to do better.

Necrologist: Many of them have been ... stranded in this world alone for too long, unable to go anywhere else or leave any traces in the living world. Like Mrs. Hill, she has always hoped to make one more black pine cone pie for her children. She said she has devised a better recipe. And old Robert ...

Necrologist: Wait, shh—