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Cemeteries

Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation

City Cemeteries

About Our Cemeteries

The Cemeteries division of Grand Rapids Parks & Recreation manages six City-owned cemeteries, assisting with burial and memorial services while preserving historical landscapes and serving the broader community's needs. 

Our first City-owned cemetery, Fulton Street Cemetery, opened in 1838 followed by Oakgrove Cemetery (1839), Fairplains Cemetery (1851), Oakhill Cemetery and Greenwood Cemetery (1859), and Woodlawn Cemetery (1920s). Today, our cemeteries include over 700 acres of greenspace within City limits.

Whether planning ahead, selecting a lot, or seeking a quiet place to reflect, our cemetery professionals assist with pricing, lot selection, and care for the grounds. With established rules to ensure safety and dignity for all, we steward these places of remembrance with compassion and professionalism.

Cemetery Services

Purchase or Plan a Burial

Our dedicated team can provide the following support:

  • At-Need Services: purchase and plan a burial site for immediate use
  • Pre-Need Services: purchase and plan a burial site for future use

To do any of the above, please call our office at 616-456-3696, option 2, to schedule an appointment. 

Please note: If you're working with a funeral director, they'll work with our staff to schedule a burial according to your needs. If you're not working with a funeral director, you can start the scheduling process by phone.

Call the Cemeteries Office

Sell or Transfer a Grave Space

The City does not buy back grave spaces. However, you can sell the space(s) yourself and transfer the space(s) to the new owner by completing a Transfer of Rights form. This document and a $41 fee (check or cash) must be provided to our office. After this is completed, a deed will be sent to the new owner.

Download Transfer Of Burial Rights

Reserve a Grave Space

Download Burial Authorization Form

Visit Grand Rapids Cemeteries

Fairplains Cemetery

2056 Diamond Ave NE

View Fairplains Map Online

Fulton Street Cemetery

801 Fulton St E

View Fulton Street Map Online

Greenwood Cemetery

1401 Leonard St NW

View Greenwood Map Online

Oakgrove Cemetery

1401 28th St SE (enter through Mackay-Jaycees Park entrance off of Kalamazoo Ave)

View Oakgrove Map Online

Oakhill Cemetery South

647 Hall St SE

View Oakhill South Map Online

Oakhill Cemetery North

647 Hall St SE

View Oakhill North Map Online

Woodlawn Cemetery East

2530 Kalamazoo Ave SE

View Woodlawn East Map Online

Woodlawn Cemetery West

2530 Kalamazoo Ave SE

View Woodlawn West Map Online

Cemetery Rules & Regulations

  1. No object, except a grave marker and/or approved flower urns/baskets should be placed on lots.
  2. Urns and containers should be no larger than 12 inches (square or diameter).
  3. Only one approved urn per grave is permitted.
  4. Approved urns or containers must be placed to the side of the grave marker.
  5. Flags and flag holders that identify the graves of Veterans should be placed to the side of the grave marker.
  6. Unapproved objects placed on a lot may be removed without notice or compensation.
  7. We cannot store or save decorations removed from burial spaces.
  8. We reserve the right to regulate burial space decoration for beauty and safety.
  9. Concrete, plastic, Styrofoam, ornaments, metal signs, bottles, jars, tin cans, shells, stones (except those placed on markers), boxes, statues, glass vases, wood or metal cases, vigil lights, etc. are not allowed.
Dates to Remember
  • April 1 - October 1: All decorations should be placed in an urn or basket.
  • October 15 - March 31: All decorations should be removed from the burial spaces. Items in urns can remain.
  • November 15 - March 1: Only winter wreaths allowed.
  • The planting of plants and shrubs are restricted to monument sites only. The owner of a monument site may choose from a listing of approved shrubs and evergreens. Call us for more information. 
Removal of Plants and Shrubs
  • We reserve the right to remove unapproved trees, shrubs and flowers.
  • We reserve the right to trim, cut down and remove any plantings that are in poor condition.
  • We reserve the right to remove trees planted by the lot owner at their expense if removal is needed for a burial.
  • All real or artificial flower or floral plantings must be in approved urns or containers. If not, they will be removed.
  • Faded, disintegrated, or broken artificial flowers will be removed.
  • We are not responsible for flowers or plantings that may prohibit grounds care activities.
  • Shepherd’s hooks, ornament holders, or decorations that penetrate the ground are not allowed.
  • Lawns may not be disturbed for any purpose.
  • Planting, landscaping, mowing, fertilizing, coping, curbing, hedging or enclosures of any kind are not allowed.
  • Funerals are under the exclusive direction of the city cemetery management upon arrival.

Cemetery Fees Guide

Burials

Burial, or interment, fees cover the opening and closing of the site.

  • Adult full body - $1690 (includes lawn crypt)
  • Infant full body - $772 (includes lot)
  • Cremains - $1066 for the first set of cremains buried, $800 for the second set of cremains buried
  • Cremains with a memorial tree and marker - $1800
  • Arboretum fee (Oakhill Cemetery full body burials only) - $500

Columbarium Inurnment

A columbarium is an above-ground structure that houses cremains. Single or double niches can be purchased to hold one or two sets of cremains. All niches include a bronze plaque.

  • Single niche - $1549
  • Double niche - $2322
  • Placing into columbarium - $310

Mausoleum Entombment

We don't own or sell mausoleums, but we do open and close privately-owned mausoleums for entombment.

  • Opening/Closing fee: $879

Disinterment

Disinterment is the removal of remains or cremains from a site.

  • Adult full body - $1690
  • Infant - $772
  • Cremains - $1066

Lawn Crypt

Lawn crypt package includes burial lot, vault, perpetual care, and, with memorialization, the marker and the memorial setting.

  • Individual - with memorial: $3,820
  • Double Depth: $5,161

Fee Assistance

The Kent County Department of Health and Human Services offers discounted burial fees to those who qualify. Contact them if you wish to receive fee assistance.

  • Adult with a lot already owned - $671
  • Adult in need of a lot - $1164
  • Infant - $157

Purchase a Lot

Lots can be purchased by phone at 616-456-3696, option 2. We're available for phone calls between 8:00 AM - 4:00 PM.

  • Each lot space - $1000

Other Fees

Depending on what you wish to include with service, some additional fees may apply. 

  • Winter burial fee: $300
  • Marker foundations - $1 per square inch
  • Tent rental - $165
  • Lawn Crypt Memorialization setting fees: Single - $350, Double - $400
  • Memorial tree with marker - $850
  • Transfer of burial rights (Certificate of Assignment) - $41
  • Overtime charge
    • Burials after 3:30 pm on weekdays: $210 per hour
    • Sundays, Saturdays, and Holiday burials (automatically 3 hours of overtime):  $630

Frequently Asked Questions

To request a flag be placed on a Veteran's flag, please call 616-456-3696, option 2, or email ____ with the veteran's name and grave space location.

The City does not buy back grave spaces. However, you can sell the space(s) yourself and transfer the space(s) to the new owner by completing a ___[upload form and link]__. This document and a $41 fee (check or cash) must be provided to our office. After this is completed, a deed will be sent to the new owner.

Call us at (617)-778-7312