Laurel Hill Cemetery
Grace & Beauty in Life & Death
As two of America's most historic garden cemeteries and a premier funeral home, we help people grieve and honor the departed, while offering a serene, welcoming space for all to enjoy natural and sculpted beauty, learn shared civic history, celebrate milestones, engage in dialogue, and create connections.
By 1836, cities along the eastern seaboard were expanding rapidly. As the nation’s living populace grew, so too did its dead. Burial grounds were often paved over or removed to clear land for roads and buildings. Laurel Hill East Cemetery, founded in 1836, offered families an alternative for burial, reflecting changing attitudes towards death. America’s rural cemetery movement was born, with Laurel Hill at its forefront.
Laurel Hill also represented an important phase in the evolution of public space. Scottish born architect John Notman, Laurel Hill East’s chief designer, carved out the cemetery’s landscape to take advantage of its riverside location. Early managers promoted personal expression in monument design; families responded with gravestones both grand and elaborate. The wealthy even employed renowned sculptors to adorn their sites.
Note: The above descriptive information came from the organization's About page and its History page.
In The News
- A Fine And Public Space: Preservationists Revive Philadelphia's Historic Cemeteries As Vibrant Spaces For The Living, Hidden City Philadelphia, May 21, 2019.
Info
- Arboretum: Arboretum
- Email Newsletter: Friends of Laurel Hill (at List-Manage)
- Event Calendar: Events
- Facebook: @laurelhillphl
- Facility Rentals: Facilities & Rentals
- Online Store: Friends of Laurel Hill (at MyBigCommerce)
- Volunteer: Volunteer
- X/Twitter: @folaurelhill
