The United States is home to several expansive cemeteries, each with its own unique history and notable interments. Below is a list of some of the largest cemeteries in the U.S., categorized by acreage and number of interments, along with interesting facts and famous burials for each.
Rose Hills Memorial Park
- Location: Whittier, California
- Size: Approximately 1,400 acres
- Established: 1914
- Notable Facts: Rose Hills Memorial Park is recognized as one of the largest cemeteries in the United States by acreage. It features meticulously landscaped grounds and serves as a sanctuary of remembrance for individuals from various walks of life.
Calverton National Cemetery
- Location: Calverton, New York
- Size: 1,045 acres
- Established: 1978
- Notable Facts: Calverton National Cemetery is the largest national cemetery in the U.S. in terms of acreage. It has the highest number of interments of any national cemetery in the country, with more than 275,000 burials. The cemetery conducts over 7,000 burials annually.
Riverside National Cemetery
- Location: Riverside, California
- Size: 921 acres
- Established: 1976
- Notable Facts: Since 2000, Riverside National Cemetery has been the most active cemetery in the National Cemetery system, based on the number of interments. It is home to the Medal of Honor Memorial, which features the names of all Medal recipients. The cemetery is the final resting place of five Medal of Honor recipients and several members of the Tuskegee Airmen.
Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery
- Location: Elwood, Illinois
- Size: 982 acres
- Established: 1999
- Notable Facts: Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery is one of the largest in the U.S. by acreage. It is home to the first government-endorsed monument honoring the sacrifices of LGBT+ veterans, established in 2015.
Arlington National Cemetery
- Location: Arlington, Virginia
- Size: 639 acres
- Established: 1864
- Notable Facts: Arlington National Cemetery is the largest military cemetery in the U.S. It is the final resting place for over 400,000 individuals, including President John F. Kennedy and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The cemetery conducts approximately 27 to 30 funerals each weekday.
Crown Hill Cemetery
- Location: Indianapolis, Indiana
- Size: 555 acres
- Established: 1864
- Notable Facts: Crown Hill Cemetery is one of the largest private cemeteries in the U.S. It is the final resting place of President Benjamin Harrison, poet James Whitcomb Riley, and notorious gangster John Dillinger.
Calvary Cemetery
- Location: Queens, New York
- Size: 365 acres
- Established: 1848
- Notable Facts: Calvary Cemetery is the largest in the U.S. by number of interments, with over 3 million burials. It was established to accommodate the growing Catholic population in New York City.
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
- Location: Glendale, California
- Size: Approximately 300 acres
- Established: 1906
- Notable Facts: Forest Lawn Memorial Park is known for its serene beauty and historical significance. It is the final resting place for many notable individuals, including celebrities, political figures, and pioneers in various fields.
Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Size: 733 acres
- Established: 1845
- Notable Facts: Spring Grove Cemetery is a National Historic Landmark and features man made lakes, islands, and footbridges. It is the second largest cemetery in the U.S. and serves as an arboretum with a diverse collection of trees and plants.
Mount Auburn Cemetery
- Location: Cambridge, Massachusetts
- Size: 174 acres
- Established: 1831
- Notable Facts: Mount Auburn Cemetery is recognized as the first rural or garden cemetery in the U.S. It is known for its beautiful landscaping and serves as an arboretum, providing a habitat for various bird species. Notable interments include poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Supreme Court Justice Felix Frankfurter.
These cemeteries not only serve as final resting places but also as historical landmarks, reflecting the rich tapestry of American history and culture.