Historic Elmwood Cemetery (est. 1853)

Elmwood cemetery After decades of using Old Settler's Cemetery as the primary burial place for Charlotte citizens, the city created a new, "rural-style" cemetery with burial spots laid out in spacious patterns to match the surrounding topography. Elmwood and other cemeteries of this style became the first public spaces for relaxation and recreation, and many of Charlotte's citizens used the space for walks, picnics and even carriage races. The first recorded interments at Elmwood Cemetery date back to 1853.

While Elmwood and Pinewood cemeteries are operated as and appear to be one, they were separated by a fence and had two distinct entrances until 1969. That was when Fred Alexander, Charlotte's first Black city council member since the 19th century, successfully led a movement to desegregate the cemeteries. Historically, white citizens were buried at Elmwood Cemetery, while Charlotte's Black citizens were buried at the adjacent Pinewood Cemetery

Many of Charlotte’s prominent citizens from this period are buried in Elmwood, including the following:

  • Governor Cameron Morrison
  • Dr. Annie Alexander, the first female physician in the south

  • Phillip Lance Van Every, who started Lance, Inc. and was a two-term mayor

  • John Motley Morehead, U.S. senator and congressman

  • Randolph Scott, famed classic film actor

Severs Log Cabin The Severs Log Cabin, which was carved from one 15-ton piece of granite, is just one of an array of unique and elaborate headstones and monuments that can be found in Elmwood. The cemetery also offers beautiful views of uptown Charlotte.

ArbNet Accredited Arboretum - Level I

Elmwood Cemetery is home to an astonishing array of tree species, many planted over the years by the families of those buried there. The cemetery became a Level I Accredited Arboretum through the ArbNet Arboretum Accreditation Program in 2017. View a list of tree species and a tree map.(PDF, 301KB)

Wayfinding for biking and walking trails can be found at the West 6th Street entrance.

Learn more and take a virtual tour of Elmwood and Pinewood cemeteries.

Charges/ Services

Effective July 1, 2025


 Grave Space  Cost
 Adult  Grave Space  $3,000
 Infant/Child up to 3 ft.  Grave Space  $600
 Cremains  In-Ground Space
 Single Space in Niche
 $1,400 
 $1,500
 Sale of Mausoleum  20' x 20' Area  $36,000
 Ossuary Burial for Cremation  Includes Opening & Closing  $300
 Second Right of Interment    $850
Perpetual Care Charge

 

 One-Time Fee on All Above Sales

 

 $300 Single Adult Grave
 $90 Infant/Child
 $210 Cremains (In-Ground)
25% Mausoleum
 $180 Single Niche Space
 $30 Ossuary Burial for Cremation
 $85 Second Right of Interment

 


 Opening and Closing  Cost
 Adult  Weekdays  $1,350
 Weekdays after 3 p.m.
 No burials after 3:30 p.m.
 $2,750
 Saturdays  $2,550
 Sundays  $3,050 
 Entombment Fee Mausoleums  $1,550
 Infant/Child up to 3 ft.  Weekdays  $600
 Weekdays after 3 p.m. & Saturdays
 No burials after 3:30 p.m.
 $800
 Sundays
 $1,200
 Cremations (in-ground burial)  Weekdays  $700
 Weekdays after 3 p.m.
 No burials after 3:30 p.m.
 $850
 Saturdays  $1,250
 Sundays & Holidays  $1,800
 Disinterment  Adult  $3,500
 Infant/Child up to 3 ft.  $1,300
 Reinterment  Adult  $1,300
 Infant/Child up to 3 ft.  $400

 

Sales/Installation of Amenities
Cost per request
 Amenities  Cost
 Flower Vase Installation  $120
 Non-Permanent Burial Container/Adult  $400
 Tent, Chair or Cremation Setup  $750
 Sale and Installation of City Vase  $300
 Monument Foundation Construction   $1 per square inch
 Marker Installation   $1 per square inch
 Special Request Maintenance  $150 per hour, second year of fee
 Transfer of Burial Rights  $150
 Monument/Marker Setup Fee
 $75
 Monument/Marker Inspection Fee  $125