Long ago, when New Orleans was still under French control, and the Creoles had made their peace with the knowledge that the dead must be buried aboveground, they built luxurious tombs for their loved ones.  They even painted and decorated these tombs in traditional Caribbean style, with bright colors and motifs.
 
Why must the dead exist in a perpetual state of gloom and darkness?  
 
Of course, the Americans came in and changed all that.  Gone were the bright colors and all was white and pristine, just as Grecian art....no wait...the Greeks painted their statues and temples too...