Massachusetts is home to a number of large and historic cemeteries, many of which have been in operation for over a century. These cemeteries not only serve as the final resting place for thousands of individuals, but they also provide visitors with a glimpse into the state’s rich history and cultural heritage. Here are the top 10 largest cemeteries in Massachusetts:
- Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge: Founded in 1831, Mount Auburn Cemetery is considered to be the first rural cemetery in the United States. It covers 175 acres and is home to over 220,000 burials.
- Forest Hills Cemetery, Boston: Founded in 1848, Forest Hills Cemetery is a non-sectarian cemetery that covers over 280 acres. It is the final resting place for many notable figures, including poet e.e. cummings, and politician Eugene O’Neill
- Oak Grove Cemetery, Medford: Founded in 1852, Oak Grove Cemetery covers 120 acres and is the final resting place for many Civil War veterans.
- West Roxbury Cemetery, West Roxbury: Founded in 1858, West Roxbury Cemetery covers 85 acres and is the final resting place for many veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I.
- Mount Feake Cemetery, Waltham: Founded in 1866, Mount Feake Cemetery covers 60 acres and is the final resting place for many veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I.
- Cambridge Cemetery, Cambridge: Founded in 1859, Cambridge Cemetery covers 40 acres and is the final resting place for many veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I.
- St. Joseph’s Cemetery, West Roxbury: Founded in 1873, St. Joseph’s Cemetery covers 35 acres and is the final resting place for many veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I.
- Mount Wollaston Cemetery, Quincy: Founded in 1803, Mount Wollaston Cemetery covers 30 acres and is the final resting place for many veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I.
- Forestdale Cemetery, Malden: Founded in 1848, Forestdale Cemetery covers 25 acres and is the final resting place for many veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I.
- Saint Patrick Cemetery, Watertown: Founded in 1858, Saint Patrick Cemetery covers 25 acres and is the final resting place for many veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, and World War I.
These cemeteries are not only the final resting place for thousands of individuals, but also serve as a reminder of the state’s rich history and cultural heritage. Many of these cemeteries also provide visitors with a glimpse into the state’s history, with notable figures and veterans buried among the thousands of other individuals.