The entrance to Green-Wood Cemetery. New York City

This recent article from the Smithsonian Magazine mentions that “Brooklyn’s Green-Wood Cemetery—a sprawling, hilly burial ground filled with tombstones from the 19th and 20th centuries—has long been a destination for more than the dead. Established in 1838, the cemetery quickly gained a reputation for its beauty, drawing tourists like other New York attractions such as Niagara Falls.”

The article also mentions that the cemetery, even though it is found in New York City, was established in 1838 as one of America’s first “rural-cemeteries”.  According to one 19th Century writer Green-Wood Cemetery became “a pleasure garden instead of a place for graves”.

The cemetery now is a gathering place for many and in just the past month or so it opened the “The Green-House at Green-Wood“.  The Green-House, that you can read about and see photos of here, is a remodeled 1895 greenhouse that is fast becoming the “front-door” for the cemetery.

The new center “features exhibitions, dedicated facilities for research and education, and space for public and private events”.   One of my contacts in New York City says that it will be offered for memorial services (with no bodies present) and also for after burial receptions.

When you look at the schedule of events at Green-Wood you can see how it is now expanding that original idea of being more than a place for the dead and be a community that brings forth the living.  Here’s just a sampling of what I saw on the cemetery website, that you can access here:

• May 12 — Toddler “Take-over” at the Green-House
• May 15 — TGIF!  After school story and craft hour
• May 17 — Grave Beginnings:  Green-Wood by Trolley
• May 20 — Green-Wood on Wheels:  Stroller-friendly tour

In addition to those events, Green-Wood’s annual Memorial Day Concert will return for its 26th year on May 25.  This year’s event is, as the cemetery website explains is “just in time to kick off the 250th anniversary of the United States“.

Here’s what Green-Wood’s website says about that concert event:

 

“Green-Wood’s cherished Memorial Day concert returns for its 26th year, just in time to kick off the 250th anniversary of the United States. Grab a blanket, pack a picnic, and bring your friends to enjoy this unforgettable afternoon. We’re thrilled to welcome back the talented musicians of the ISO Symphonic Band at Third Street, led by Music Director Paul Corn and guest conductor Brian P. Worsdale.  

The concert will feature works that honor members of the armed forces, while also spotlighting music by some of Green-Wood’s own permanent residents. Plus, enjoy a selection of contemporary pieces by a diverse range of composers. It’s the perfect way to commemorate the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to America 250 through the beauty of music in one of the nation’s most historic landscapes!”

 

A Place for the Living —  In the Smithsonian Magazine article, the author pointed out that in 2023 Green-Wood’s Senior Vice-President and Director of Programming, Lisa West, made this comment to the New York Times that is still appropriate for the cemetery today, “It’s inherent to the cemetery business that at some point you will run out of room to bury people, and you really have to think about what will this green space become and how can you make it an asset to the community.”

According to the Smithsonian Magazine article, “Green-Wood’s 580,000 “permanent residents” include Civil War generals, baseball greats, artist Jean-Michel Basquiat and composer Leonard Bernstein. People can still be buried there, but space is scarce, and pricey. A single grave costs more than $20,000.”

Tom Anderson
Funeral Director Daily

Funeral Director Daily take:  I’m one who sees a renaissance for cemeteries as they become, not only places for the dead, but places for the living.  As more and more people are exposed to venues such as this “Green-House”, those people may choose that venue for a memorial service.  And, having a memorial service at this venue may give rise to purchasing a cremation niche, or inclusion in a scattering garden, or other appropriate memorialization options that a cemetery has available.

Having a proper venue and then producing events can keep cemeteries in the public’s eye. . . . . and that can bring about more business over the long haul.

More news from the world of Death Care:

• Decision on Wiltshire town running out of space for burials.  The Gazette and Herald (Great Britain)
• I brought my husband back for his funeral as a hologram.  Yahoo Tech from BBC (Great Britain)
• Bethlehem funeral director featured in Times Square for national campaign honoring funeral directors.  The Valley Ledger (PA)

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