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
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.
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
Sale of Grave/Niche Space
|
Grave Space |
Cost |
| Adult |
Grave Space |
$3,000 |
| Infant/Child up to 3 ft. |
Grave Space |
$600 |
| Cremains |
In-Ground Space |
$1,400 |
| Perpetual Care Charge |
(one-time fee on all above sales) |
$300 Single Adult Grave
$90 Infant/Child
$210 Cremains
25% Mausoleum |
| Sale of Mausoleum (20' x 20') area |
one-time fee per space |
$36,000 |
Opening and Closing Fees
No burials on City of Charlotte designated holidays
|
Opening and Closing |
Cost |
| Adult |
Weekdays |
$1,350 |
Weekdays after 3 p.m. & Saturdays
No burials after 3:30 p.m. |
$2,750 |
| Saturdays |
$2,550 |
| Sundays |
$3,050
|
| 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. & Saturdays
No burials after 3:30 p.m. |
$850 |
| Saturdays |
$1,250 |
| Sundays |
$1,800 |
| Second Right of Interment |
$850 |
Ossuary Burial
Includes opening & closing |
$300 |
| 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
| 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 (per square inch) |
$1 |
| Marker Installation (per square inch) |
$1 |
| Special Request Maintenance (per hour, 2nd year of fee) |
$150 |
| Transfer Burial Rights |
$150 |
Monument/Marker Setup Fee
|
$75 |
| Monument/Marker Inspection Fee |
$125 |