Pokemon Go: Church and Cemetery Etiquette
With all the news about people doing stupid things in Pokemon Go I wanted to get a list out there on this subject before anything bad actually happensâŠIâve already seen posts about people running around cemeteries at night and suggestions to look for certain types of pokemon in them, so even if your local church/graveyard isnât a Pokestop or Gym, players will still probably be drawn to them for one reason or another.
General Rules - Churches:
This first oneâs obvious - donât break in to a locked building / gated piece of land. Â Donât do it anywhere else, donât do it to a church or cemetary either.
Depending on the size of the parish, the location, and other factors, some churches leave their doors unlocked during the day (if not also during the night). Â Anyone is allowed to go inside and you most likely wonât be met with any questions as long as you act with respect.
Donât be loud, keep conversation to a minimum if youâre with your friends or speak in hushed voices, especially if there are people in there cleaning, preparing for mass, or praying
Donât swear.  Yeah throwing pokeball after pokeball and missing can be frustrating especially when the pokemon pops back out again when you actually hit it, but just⊠donât swear.  If you REALLY canât help yourself, see the previous bullet - donât let anyone hear you.
You probably shouldnât show up in in the middle of a service, especially something special like a wedding or a funeral. Â Come back later.
DO NOT WALK ON/BEHIND THE ALTAR, that space is a sacred space which, in many variations of Christianity, only priests and other people directly involved with the mass (like altar boys) are allowed to enter.
General Rules - Cemeteries:
This should fall under the do-not-break-into-places rule but Iâm just going to reiterate it in a more specific context. Â Do not enter crypts or mausoleums. Â Unless it is crystal-goddamn-clear that itâs a public space, even unlocked or open structures are usually only meant for family and friends to go inside.
This is another obvious one but donât vandalize the graves.  Definitely donât do it on purpose, but be careful not to do it by accident either. If you see a stone that is leaning, a brick that is loose, donât try to fix it - you may mean well but this is work for a groundskeeper to do, you wouldnât want to make it worse by mistake.  Even solid-looking stones could be old and fragile, sitting or leaning on them may cause damage as well. Â
The no-touch guideline also extends to flowers, candles, and other offerings that have been left. Â Do not take them, do not touch or adjust them, just leave them be. Â They were left with purpose.
DO NOT WALK IN FRONT OF THE HEADSTONES. Â Walking directly in front of a headstone is symbolic of stepping on the body buried under the plot. Â Itâs VERY inconsiderate, so donât do it. Â Walk as far away (at least six feet) from the front of the headstone as you can, or along the back (the side without the writing) of the next row over. Â If you must cross a row, cross between stones. Â Take note that some stones can be quite short or even set directly into the ground. Â More than being hard to notice when trying not to walk over a grave, these can be tripping hazards which could cause you to hurt yourself or the marker.
THERE WILL BE MOURNERS. Â I have visited my local cemetery Gym twice and both times there were people there not playing Pokemon Go. Â Visiting a grave is obviously an intensely personal and potentially upsetting experience. Â Be considerate. Â Be quiet. Â Keep your distance. Â Donât do a celebratory dance when you catch something.
If you see a burial occurring (line of cars, gathering of people, a coffin, etc.), just come back later.
Probably best to stay out of cemeteries you are not already intimately familiar with after sundown. Â Some of them have guards, most of them have neighbors who are happy to call police if they see/hear suspicious activity.
Disclaimer: my knowledge on this subject is from a Christian (specifically Catholic, but many of the same beliefs/traditions extend) perspective. Â If you are from a different faith with different practices, please feel free to add any information you have on how people should handle those situations.
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