At first glance, this grave in Natchez City Cemetery in Mississippi may look perfectly normal. But if you were to walk closer to it, you’d notice that behind the tombstone, there’s a mysterious door hiding a set of stairs leading down to the casket.

This peculiar grave belongs to a 10-year-old girl named Florence Irene Ford who passed away from yellow fever back in 1871. When the little girl died, her mother named Ellen had a small window installed at the head of her daughter’s casket, and a narrow stairway built six feet down to the level of the window.

At first glance, this grave in Natchez City Cemetery in Mississippi may appear perfectly normal

Image credits: Wikimedia Commons

Why did the mother have such an interesting request, you ask? Apparently, little Florence was terrified of storms and every single time one rolled in, she would run to her mother, who would lovingly comfort her.

But if you were to walk closer, you’d notice a few strange things about it

Image credits: Natalie Maynor

When the girl passed away, her mother couldn’t bear the thought of not being able to comfort her daughter anymore. Because of that, she wanted the grave to have these unique alterations that would allow her to feel closer to her daughter.

Behind the tombstone, there’s a mysterious door hiding a set of stairs

Image credits: Shanna Riley

The stairs lead to a small window fitted at the head of the girl’s casket

Image credits: Natalie Maynor

Throughout the years, the grave hasn’t changed that much. For instance, the epitaph on the tombstone is still easy to read: “As bright and affectionate a Daughter as ever God with His Image blest.” Basically, the only thing that changed is the glass window that was covered to prevent any potential acts of vandalism back in the 1950s.

The stairs and the window were installed so the mother could comfort her daughter during storms

Image credits: Shanna Riley

Throughout the years, the grave hasn’t changed much

Image credits: Shanna Riley

And here’s what people on the internet are saying about this mysterious grave

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