Category: Cemetery Services

Notice: Tribute Clean-up – starting the week of February 5

Notice: Tribute Clean-up – starting the week of February 5
January 1, 2024

To maintain this place of exceptional beauty, there are times when we remove all the tributes from the cemetery as we perform the important work of landscape care.  The next thorough tribute clean-up, sometimes called a Clean Sweep, will begin the week of February 5th.

We would like to remind everyone that only tributes made of natural plant material are allowed at Mount Auburn Cemetery, such as cut flowers and living plants in disposable pots 8” wide or smaller.  All non-natural items are subject to immediate removal, and we do not advise leaving items of great sentimental or monetary value.  Please see our full Tribute Regulations for more details.

A tribute is an act or gift intended to show gratitude, respect, or admiration.  In terms of graveside visits, leaving a tribute can be an act of mourning or remembrance as well.  Thank you to everyone who brings floral tributes to remember and honor your loved ones – you help make this cemetery a welcome place to visit.

Natural Burials

Natural Burials
September 1, 2022

For those seeking a more environmentally friendly burial option, we are pleased to offer natural (or ‘green’) burial, defined as the burial of an unenbalmed body in a biodegradable shroud or container. At Mount Auburn, natural burial graves are added in carefully selected locations of the Cemetery’s historic core, among the our stately trees and monuments.

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Candle Lighting Service 2020

Candle Lighting Service 2020
December 21, 2020

On the Winter Solstice, December 21, 2020 we gathered virtually for our most important annual tradition, the Candle Lighting Service. For the first time in 28 years, we were not able to be together in person at the Cemetery. Instead, we gathered online to bring light and love into the darkness.

This Service is for those with loved ones remembered at Mount Auburn and anyone who is seeking a shared community experience to remember and reflect. You can re-watch the livestream event on this page.

This event was created and produced by Mount Auburn Cemetery with MASARY Studios. Production Support by AVFX.

Program Notes

Welcome / Opening Remarks – Bree Harvey

Moment 1
The Swan by Camille Saint-Saens
Rob Bethel, Cello

Speaker – Dr. Dorian Mintzer

Moment 2
Bist Du Bei Mir by J.S. Bach
Arioso by J.S. Bach

String Trio
Brian Clague, Violin
Rob Bethel, Cello
Eve Boltax, Viola

Speaker – Reverend Stephen Kendrick

Memorial Projection on Bigelow Chapel
Flower Duet by Léo Delibes
Double Violin Concerto Mvt. 2 by J.S. Bach
Ständchen by Heinz Zednik
String Trio

Moment of Silence

Ringing of the Bell

We Remember Them – Recited by Dr. Dorian Mintzer

Candle Remembrance in the Asa Gray Garden
Ave Verum Corpus by W.A. Mozart
Song of the Birds by Pablo Casals
Bist Du Bei Mir by J.S. Bach
The Children’s Prayer by P. Tchaikovsky
Ständchen by Heinz Zednik
Double Violin Concerto Mvt. 2 by J.S. Bach
String Trio