Elmwood Cemetery

824 S. Dudley St.
Memphis, TN 38104
901-774-3212

OFFICE HOURS
Monday - Friday 8 am - 4:30 pm | Saturday 8 am - noon

Elmwood Cemetery's grounds are open every day from 8 am till 4:30 pm. There is no admission charge.

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160 Years of Memphis

Elmwood's Rich History

Elmwood is the most historic ground in this part of the world.  The dramatic Entry Bridge, the Carpenter-Gothic Office Cottage– the entire 80-acre cemetery – are all on the National Register of Historic Places, and Elmwood is also an official Bird Sanctuary and Arboretum.  Reserve a place in Memphis history.  Beneath our ancient elms, oaks and magnolias.  In the company of our most honored and revered.  Most famous and infamous.  Most loved and feared.  Among the veterans of every American war, even the Revolutionary War.  Side-by-side with generals, senators, governors, mayors and madams.  Take a tour, and visit the last 160 years in a shady hour or two in Elmwood. Volunteer, and preserve history.  Donate, and make a timeless gift.

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Make Arrangements

Make Arrangements

For 162 years, Elmwood Cemetery has provided dignified burials in beautiful surroundings at reasonable prices.

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Tours & Events

Tours & Events

The history of Memphis is told through the stories of Elmwood residents. If these graves could talk...

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Donate

Donate

Step back into history and experience eighty acres of stately trees and statuary in the beautiful blend of nature and art that is Elmwood Cemetery.

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Get Involved
At Elmwood

For eight generations, the generosity of our friends has allowed us to meet every winter challenge and greet every spring with new growth and renewed faith.

You keep Elmwood the tranquil, beautiful, therapeutic place that it is. Your generous support makes a huge difference to the operation and maintenance of historic Elmwood Cemetery.

Show your support for Elmwood Cemetery.  The history of the place, and the stories of those who rest here, tell the story of Memphis—our story.

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Upcoming Events

  • Cemetery Walk

    1 Feb

    12 PM - 12:30 PM

    It might be winter, but that's not stopping us! Shake off the dust mid-day and join one of Elmwood's volunteer tour guides for a one-mile, 30-minute Cemetery Walk.

    Cemetery Walks will begin outside of the office at 12:00 pm sharp. We encourage questions, so please ask your tour guide about the monuments, trees, or history of Elmwood as you walk.

    Cemetery Walks will take place on the following Wednesdays: January 18th, January 25th, February 1st, February 8th, February 15th, and February 22nd. This activity is FREE, but we ask that you reserve a spot so that we know how many people to look for.

    Rain and freezing temps will cancel a walk.

     

    Register Now

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  • African American History & Elmwood Cemetery: An Online Presentation

    7 Feb

    6 PM - 7 PM

    At rest in Elmwood are the men and women of the Civil Rights Movement, business leaders, a nun being considered for sainthood, musicians, novelists, politicians, civic leaders, and more. We invite you to join us for an hour-long, seated, indoor presentation, where you can learn about the African American history at rest in Elmwood Cemetery.

    This presentation is given by volunteer Criston Kopka and begins at 6:00 pm online. The cost is $20 per person, and all proceeds benefit historic Elmwood Cemetery. A Zoom link will be sent to registrants prior to the start of the meeting.

     

    Register Now

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  • Cemetery Walk

    8 Feb

    12 PM - 12:30 PM

    It might be winter, but that's not stopping us! Shake off the dust mid-day and join one of Elmwood's volunteer tour guides for a one-mile, 30-minute Cemetery Walk.

    Cemetery Walks will begin outside of the office at 12:00 pm sharp. We encourage questions, so please ask your tour guide about the monuments, trees, or history of Elmwood as you walk.

    Cemetery Walks will take place on the following Wednesdays: January 18th, January 25th, February 1st, February 8th, February 15th, and February 22nd. This activity is FREE, but we ask that you reserve a spot so that we know how many people to look for.

    Rain and freezing temps will cancel a walk.

     

    Register Now

    Learn More

  • African American History & Elmwood Cemetery: An Indoor Presentation

    11 Feb

    10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

    At rest in Elmwood are the men and women of the Civil Rights Movement, business leaders, a nun being considered for sainthood, musicians, novelists, politicians, civic leaders, and more. We invite you to join us for an hour-long, seated, indoor presentation, where you can learn about the African American history at rest in Elmwood Cemetery.

    This presentation is given by volunteer Criston Kopka and begins at 10:30 am in the Chapel. The cost is $20 per person, and all proceeds benefit historic Elmwood Cemetery. Refreshments will be served.

     

    Register Now

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  • Love on the Rocks: Victorian Monument Symbolism

    12 Feb

    2 PM - 3 PM

    Love is carved into every stone in Elmwood Cemetery, represented by intriguing, sometimes otherworldly symbols. During this indoor, seated presentation at Elmwood Cemetery, we will explore the meaning of the symbols in the stonework, from flowers to ferns, lambs, doves, trees, scrolls, obelisks, statues, arches, and more.

    Join us on Sunday, February 12th, at 2 pm, for "Love on the Rocks," hosted by Elmwood's Executive Director Kim Bearden. We'll serve a sweet treat for you to enjoy while you learn how to decode the meaning in some of the storied stones in the cemetery. The cost is $20.

     

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  • Cradle Gardening Sign Up & Orientation

    25 Mar

    9 AM - 10 AM

    If you love Elmwood Cemetery and are passionate about gardening, then this program is for you. Help bring flowers back to the oldest active garden-style cemetery in Memphis!

    What are cradles? These oblong, marble monuments were installed as memorial markers many years ago. They've remained devoid of flowers for up to a century or more, but you can help change that.

    Want to garden at Elmwood? Then the volunteer Cradle Gardening team is waiting for you. Join us for this 30 minute presentation and learn all about it. We'll get started at 9 am on Saturday, March 25th. At this meeting, Elmwood staff and volunteers will capture your information, go over the specifics of the program, and assign specifically-selected cradles.

    There is no fee to participate in this volunteer-based program. Volunteers will be asked to donate plants and use personal supplies. Registration is limited and required. Elmwood highly recommends partnering with one of your trusted gardening friends.

    Thank you for your interest in beautifying Elmwood Cemetery. We look forward to meeting you.

     

     

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  • The Marvelous Women of Elmwood Cemetery

    25 Mar

    10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

    The very first person to be buried at Elmwood was a woman. Civil Rights activists, a beauty queen, suffragists, an explorer, and so many more: the women buried at Elmwood Cemetery lived incredibly diverse lives. They contributed to our world, shaping it and improving it for all.

    We invite you to join us on Saturday, March 25th at 10:30 am for an indoor, seated presentation by Elmwood's Executive Director Kim Bearden, The Marvelous Women of Elmwood Cemetery. This presentation will last about 45 minutes; snacks are included. The cost is $20 per person. We will meet in the Chapel.

    Please feel free to call 901-774-3212 for more information. 

     

    Register Now

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824 S. Dudley St. • Memphis, TN 38104

tel: 901-774-3212 • fax: 901-774-0085

Office Hours

Monday - Friday
8 am - 4:30 pm

Saturday
8 am - noon

Grounds Hours

Monday - Sunday
8 am - 4:30 pm

Donate Volunteer
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