Discover Mount Auburn Introductory Walking Tour
2024-09-07 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-10-05 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-11-02 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Mount Auburn, designated a National Historic Landmark, is one of the country’s most significant designed landscapes. Here the arts of horticulture, architecture and sculpture combine with the beauty of nature to create a place of comfort and inspiration. This 1.5-mile walking tour will focus on stories of history, monuments, and the lives of those buried here. Registration required.
REGISTER NOW >>
Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Community Connections Walks: Navigating Loss
2024-09-14 10:00 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles), 2024-10-19 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Navigating life’s challenges. With Nature. As a community.

Join guest guide, Stefanie Haug LICSW, (she/her) for a series of theme-based Community Connection Walks. Each walk includes nature-based mindfulness practices, periods of group silence, and periods of circle sharing to reflect, listen and share what may arise around the theme of our walk. The philosopher Ram Dass said, “We are all just walking each other home.” Join us as we reconnect to our experience of ‘home‘ both within ourselves as individuals and with each other as a community.

You are welcome to participate in one walk or in the entire series of walks should you be interested in continuing the experience with other participants.

Theme: Navigating Loss

Mount Auburn Cemetery offers us a serene backdrop to contemplate losses we’ve experienced as part of being a human being. Whether you are experiencing a lost past, present or future of a relationship (human, animal) or otherwise– you are welcome to bring and share within a small group. While not intended to replace direct individual support, this guided series offers a chance to be alongside others with care, calm and compassion.

Recommended to bring: comfortable shoes, water, something you can easily carry to sit on such as a small mat

Check-in will be outside Story Chapel.
Event Capacity: 15 people
REGISTER NOW >>

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Stefanie Haug, LICSW (she/her) guides people on mindfulness ecotherapy and indigenous circle practices. She is a local psychotherapist and nature therapy guide. Her work is informed by mindfulness, nature, multiculturalism, restorative circle practices and community engagement.
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Forest Bathing: A Mindful Nature Experience
2024-09-14 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-10-19 10:00 - 23:30 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Join guest guide Stefanie Haug (LICSW) as we explore Mount Auburn Cemetery by slowing down, being attentive to nature with all our senses, and deepening our appreciation for this special slice of our Cambridge neighborhood. Our Forest Bathing experience will include simple warm-up movements, a natural history of the area, guided breathing and centering awareness, mindful walking with sensory activities, and finding our nature meditation/sit spot.

What to bring: comfortable clothing, walking shoes, small mat or towel to sit on, water.

Check-in for the experience will be outside Story Chapel.

Event capacity: 25 people
REGISTER NOW >>

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Stefanie Haug, LICSW (she/her) guides people on journeys of self-awareness and relationship with nature as a local psychotherapist and certified Mindful Outdoor Guide (Kripalu). Her international career has spanned the corporate and nonprofit world with a focus on the wellbeing of humans and the more-than-human world. Stefanie is a lifelong nature lover and can often be found outdoors in all types of locations and weather, taking it all in with a sense of wonder, humor and calm.

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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Open Archives 2024: Archives Roadtrip!
2024-09-14 13:00 - 15:00 (America/Los_Angeles) | Joan Lorentz Park, 449 Broadway, 449 Broadway, Cambridge, MA, 02138, United States
✨🚗 Open Archives 2024: Archives Roadtrip! ✨🚗
Date: September 14, 2024
Time: 1:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Location: Joan Lorentz Park, 449 Broadway
Free
Buckle up for a fun-filled afternoon as we hit the road for the Open Archives 2024: Archives Roadtrip! History Cambridge and our archive friends invite you to explore the rich history of our city with the help of archivists from multiple repositories. A big thanks to the Cambridge Historical Commission for organizing this event.
What’s on the Itinerary?
👨‍👩‍👧 Family Fun: We’ve got scavenger hunts with prizes and unique crafting opportunities. With activities for the little ones and plenty of engaging exhibits for all ages, it’s a day of fun for the whole family.
📚 Meet the Archivists: Chat with the passionate archivists and historians who keep our city’s history alive. They’ll be on hand to answer questions, share stories, and give you a peek behind the archival curtain.
Join us for a journey through time that’s as thrilling as a road trip, but with fewer gas station stops! We promise a drive down memory lane that’s both educational and entertaining.
Mark your calendars, pack a picnic, and let’s make history together! 🗺️🚙

Disenfranchised Grief Virtual Panel
2024-09-16 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
“Disenfranchised grief”, a term coined by bereavement counselor, Dr. Kenneth J. Doka in 2008 as “grief that results when a person experiences a significant loss and the resultant grief is not openly acknowledged, socially validated, or publicly mourned.”
Loved ones experiencing grief as the result of a suicide, a miscarriage, a drug overdose, a stigmatized illness such as HIV/AIDS, or even the death of a pet can be disenfranchised in their grieving experience, making it harder to seek help, community support, and understanding.
The panel will discuss the different forms of disenfranchised grief, how it can be addressed and remedied, and various resources available to those experiencing disenfranchised grief. There will be a Q&A portion at the end of the panel.
REGISTER HERE >>
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Sara Murphy, PhD, FT, is a death educator, Certified Thanatologist and Fellow in Thanatology (Association for Death Education and Counseling), and suicidologist with over eighteen years of scholarly, pedagogical, and professional experience in the field. She has been a faculty member at the University of Rhode Island for seventeen years, where she has developed and taught more than sixty interdisciplinary courses on thanatological theory; death, dying, and bereavement; biopsychosocial grief experiences; disenfranchised grief; and stigmatized means of death. She is also an affiliate faculty member in the Thanatology Graduate Program at Marian University, where she teaches courses on suicide, loss across the lifespan, social justice thanatology, losses of addiction, and death in the literary imagination.
Publicly, Dr. Murphy conducts diverse and dynamic professional development and educational workshops, trainings, and seminars on specialized topics of death, dying, and bereavement nationwide for businesses, schools, and professional organizations.
Dr. Murphy is also a suicide and bereavement consultant; a contributing writer for the National Funeral Directors Association; and an expert witness on suicide and on disenfranchised grief.
Dan Everton is an artist and historian specializing in archaeology, death, and ethics in museums. He holds a Masters in Public Humanities from Brown University and is currently attending Dominican University in the Masters in Library and Information Science program.
Bill Gately is a licensed grief counselor and former Funeral Director and owner of the Gately McHoul Funeral Home in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
Moderator: Corinne Elicona has worked at Mount Auburn for seven years in many different roles including natural burial volunteer, administration assistant, and crematory operator. She is currently Mount Auburn’s Education & Digital Content Manager, working on creating educational content on Mount Auburn; its history, landscape, and legacy. She is passionate about fostering a positive discourse around death and promoting education around end-of-life choices and equity so that everyone can experience a good death.
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Morning Writes
2024-09-21 10:00 - 11:15 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Morning Writes at Mount Auburn will help you jumpstart a new creative practice or re-energize your existing routine. Recharge your imagination. Shift your perspective. Nurture your creativity in nature. MORNING WRITES is an informal writing time and a chance to meet up with other creative thinkers. Each session will begin with a few writing prompts to get you started, followed by 30-40 minutes of writing time. Time permitting, folks will then be invited to share a portion of their writing with the group.

Bring paper, a writing utensil, a laptop, and whatever else you need to write.

Check-in will be outside Story Chapel and then we will walk to the writing location together.

Event Capacity: 35 people

REGISTER NOW >>

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Morning Writes is led by Mount Auburn Public Events Producer, Julie-Anne Whitney. Julie-Anne is a writer and dramaturg and has an MFA in Creative Writing from Lesley University. www.julieannewhitney.com

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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Sunset Sound Meditations
2024-09-21 17:30 - 18:30 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
An outdoor Guided Meditation, Relaxation and Sound Experience.

Sound Healing practitioner Marlene Boyette welcomes all to be held by the earth, to find refuge, to rest, and to be led through a guided meditation intended to bring the mind and the body into unison, while also engaging the senses. Weaving together the sounds, vibrations, and energy of our natural surroundings with a variety of instruments (including deeply resonant crystal and metal singing bowls and chimes), participants will be bathed in layered sonic acoustics.

The experience will close with an opportunity for all to reflect and set intentions for the new season through dialogue and / or journaling.

What to bring: a yoga mat, blanket or towel, a journal, and writing utensil. Plastic folding chairs will be available if needed.

Check-in for the event will be at the top of the ramp entrance into Hazel Dell (off of Central Ave). The meditation will take place in Hazel Dell.

Rain location: Story Chapel.

Event Capacity: 40
REGISTER NOW >>

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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.

For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

The Hurricane That Changed Mount Auburn
2024-09-22 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
The Great New England Hurricane of 1938 (aka the Yankee Clipper or Long Island Express) was the deadliest and most damaging hurricane to ever strike New York and New England. Making landfall on September 21, the Category 3 storm caused nearly 700 fatalities, left 63,000 people without homes, and toppled 275 million trees. In Massachusetts, storm surges measured between 18-25 feet and the hurricane’s greatest wave height of 50-feet was recorded in Gloucester.
Mount Auburn Cemetery lost more than 800 trees in a single day and over 1,000 more suffered significant damage. Despite all the damage, the Cemetery saw an opportunity to replant and replace what was lost while expanding and diversifying its collection. From 1939-1940 alone, over 1,500 new trees and shrubs were introduced to the Cemetery, many of which are still standing today.
Join Jim Gorman, arborist and MAC staff member, for a curated tour of several of the now-mature trees planted after the hurricane.
REGISTER HERE>>
Check-in at Story Chapel
Capacity: 30 people
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Members Week: Early Fall Nature Walk - Reflections on Change Within Us and Around Us
2024-09-23 13:00 - 14:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Early Fall Nature Walk -Reflections on Change Within Us and Around Us with Clare Walker Leslie
Naturalist, artist, educator, and author Clare Walker Leslie will lead a walk noting specific autumnal changes as participants tour Mount Auburn Cemetery’s evolving landscape. Participants are encouraged to write their reflections on this season of change. Paper and pencils will be provided.
BECOME A MEMBER >>
Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Cemetery Cinema
2024-09-24 19:00 - 22:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Coolidge Corner Theater returns to Mount Auburn Cemetery to present our popular Cemetery Cinema outdoor film program!
REGISTER HERE>>
This unique screening experience will take place at sunset (7pm) on Tuesday, September 24 (rain date on Wednesday, 9/25) at the historic and beautiful Mount Auburn Cemetery.
Join us for a mind-bending double-feature journey where existential dread meets excellent adventures! From Bergman’s contemplation of life, death, and the human condition in The Seventh Seal to the wild time-traveling antics of Bill & Ted in Bogus Journey, it’s a cinematic ride that’ll have you questioning existence one moment and air-guitaring the next!
Mount Auburn Cemetery is located 580 Mount Auburn Street in Cambridge. Parking will be available at the cemetery and light concessions will be sold. Chairs, blankets, and snacks are encouraged, but no alcohol please. Mount Auburn Cemetery is an active burial place and a sacred site to mourners. Please keep this in mind as you set up your seating space and refrain from touching or leaning against any of the monuments or headstones.

Members Week: Indian Ridge Horticulture Walk
2024-09-25 12:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Indian Ridge Horticulture Walk with Rie Macchiarolo
In 2019, Mount Auburn began a three-phase project to restore the landscape along Indian Ridge Path, one of our oldest and most significant areas. With more than 15,000 recently installed plants, the newly-restored area promotes biological diversity while enhancing the site’s natural beauty. Join Mount Auburn’s Director of Ornamental Horticulture Rie Macchiarolo as they discuss the history and horticulture of this newly rejuvenated area.
BECOME A MEMBER >>
Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Dinner Under The Oaks
2024-09-25 18:00 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
A Celebration of Mount Auburn’s 193rd Anniversary of Consecration

To celebrate Mount Auburn’s 193rd birthday, we are thrilled to announce our inaugural Dinner Under the Oaks—a unique opportunity to come together, connect, and dine in our beloved early fall landscape. Please join us and other close friends who share a passion for the Cemetery at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, September 25th, for a reception on Bigelow Lawn and dinner to follow at 7:00 p.m.

Menu

Reception

Passed hors d’oeuvres

Lobster Arancini with Smoked Paprika Aioli

Lilac Hedge Farm Chicken Char Siu, Carrot Scallion Salad, Crisp Taro Chip (df)

Broccoli Florets, Puffed Rice, Harissa Aioli & Salsa Verde

Dinner

First course

Maple Brooks Burrata (gf)

Choice of entree

Herb Crusted Devon Point Farm Beef Tenderloin (gf, df)

Borlotti Bean & Spring Vegetable Ragout, English Pea & Lemon Puree, Pea Shoot Salad

Cherrywood Roasted Eberly Farms Chicken (gf, df)

Warm Sweet Potato & Spring Onion Salad, Heirloom Tomato Vinaigrette

Zucchini Purse (gf, vegan)

Roasted Summer Vegetable & Chickpea, Coconut Curry Sauce, Broccoli Couscous

Tickets:

$250/person ($155 is tax-deductible)

Space is limited. Reserve your seats today!

Dinner sponsorships available. Benefits include recognition in printed menu card and priority seating. Sponsorship levels: $2,500 (includes four tickets) and $1,000 (two tickets). For questions about this event or to register, please contact Matt Tufts, Director of Special Events & Sponsorships, at 617-540-0076 to provide payment and entree selection.

Members Week: Yoga for the Mind, Body, and Soul
2024-09-26 10:00 - 11:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Yoga for the Mind, Body, and Soul with Tracy Affonso
Led by Artemis yoga teacher Tracy Affonso, the class will include a moving meditation and a flowing, physical practice infused with a sense of calming energy. She will mindfully instruct you through sequences while offering you the space to listen to your body and move with intention. All set in the recently-enhanced beauty of Hazel Dell to create a calming and healing experience.
BECOME A MEMBER >>
Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Members Week: Cyanotype Workshop
2024-09-27 11:30 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Cyanotype Workshop with Madge Evers
Cyanotypes are one of the oldest photographic printing processes in the history of photography. Join Mount Auburn Artist-in-Residence Madge Evers for a workshop on how to make your own cyanotype compositions. Evers will teach participants an experimental form of the cyanotype process by which she will create a series of images on paper that use and depict the flora of Mount Auburn Cemetery.
BECOME A MEMBER >>
Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Indian Ridge Habitat Restoration Walk
2024-10-02 17:15 - 18:15 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Join us for a tour of Indian Ridge Path and learn about this multi-year project designed to promote wildlife habitat and biological diversity while enhancing the site’s natural beauty.
Between 2019-2024, Mount Auburn’s Horticulture staff removed many invasive and unwanted plants across the area and installed 26 trees, 2300 shrubs, and 31,000 perennials.
The tour is offered in collaboration with the Ecological Landscape Alliance. It will begin at the Visitor Center and continue along the length of the Ridge. Participants will be guided by Rie Macchiarolo, Mount Auburn’s Director of Ornamental Horticulture, who will share information about the design, installation, and management of this 2-acre woodland and wildflower meadow.
REGISTER HERE>>
The walk is approximately 2/3 mile in total along a mostly flat and even terrain.
Check-in will be at Story Chapel.
Capacity: 30 people
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Rie Macchiarolo lives in a collective house in Somerville, MA with a small but mighty (mostly) native garden that attracts all sorts of pollinators and smiles from strangers. As the Director of Ornamental Horticulture at Mount Auburn, they oversee the maintenance of the ornamental gardens and natural areas in the cemetery. They collaborate with a team of directors in the Horticulture & Landscape department to maintain this landscape of exceptional beauty. Rie has been volunteering with the Ecological Landscape Alliance since 2016 and they currently serve as the board president. They love seeing wildlife interactions with new plantings, learning new plants, and staring deeply into the eyes of a flower!
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Deep Listening® Workshop
2024-10-06 10:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
How do we listen? What sounds do we notice/perceive and when? How can we change and grow our sonic focus?
Deep Listening® is a practice developed by Pauline Oliveros, the late pioneering experimental music composer, which facilitates an awareness of our attention to and relationship with sound. This practice invites us to be aware of our attention, allowing our senses to be opened, and enabling us to feel a greater connection to our bodies, to others, and to the environment.
Join Deep Listening® Practitioner Nomi Epstein for a workshop consisting of a series of exercises in listening, sonic meditation, movement, and imagination to open our senses to develop new ways of interacting with the world around us.
What to bring: comfortable clothing, walking shoes, a notebook & writing utensil, a small mat or blanket to sit on (if desired). Chairs will be provided for anyone who prefers a chair to sitting on the ground.
REGISTER HERE >>
Check-in for the workshop will be outside Story Chapel (aka the Visitor Center).
Capacity: 15 people
Age requirement: 16+

Please note: there will be changing terrain throughout the walking experience moving from pavement to gravel to grass. There will also be some small hills.
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NOMI EPSTEIN is as an experimental music practitioner devoted to a focused listening practice. Her work embraces subtlety, an uncovering of sounds, and a gratitude for the daily sounds she finds around her.
Nomi is also a composer/improvisor/curator. Her music centers around her interest in sonic fragility. Her compositions have been performed throughout the US and Europe by SurPlus, ICE, Wet Ink, Mivos, Wild Rumpus, Dedalus, and Southland. Her third and most recent portrait album featuring Apartment House/Vibrant Matter was released under Another Timbre (February 2024).
An active practitioner and advocate of experimental music, she is founder/director of a•pe•ri•od•ic, the critically acclaimed, experimental ensemble. Her curatorial work includes large scale festivals as in the Chicago area 2012 centennial John Cage Festival, the Wandelweiser and Ustvolskaya Festivals, and concerts across the US/abroad. She continues to research, write, and lecture on experimental music and serves as Associate Professor of Composition at Berklee.
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Nature Drawing Workshop: Birds
2024-10-06 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Want to learn some very basic ways for drawing the nature you know and love here in Mount Auburn? Join illustrator Clare Walker Leslie in one or all of these Sunday afternoon sessions. Appropriate for ages 10 and up, teens and adults. No previous drawing experience needed. Bring a drawing pad, several pencils and an eraser. There will be materials provided, as well. Workshop takes place indoors. Meet in Story Chapel.
REGISTER HERE>>
Drawing Workshop Series Dates:

October 6: Birds
November 10: Animals
February 9: Trees
March 9: Landscapes

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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

LGBTQ+ Death Rights Virtual Panel
2024-10-24 18:00 - 19:00 (America/New_York) | Virtual
Join us for a panel discussion on the unique challenges the LGBTQ+ community faces in end-of-life planning and death care.
Our panel of experts will explore critical topics such as gender-affirming funeral care, legal protections for LGBTQ+ individuals, and inclusive hospice and palliative care. They will provide practical advice on preparing advance directives, advocating for one’s rights, and creating affirming end-of-life experiences.
We will also discuss the importance of culturally sensitive care, the role of community organizations, and actionable steps for both individuals and professionals to ensure that everyone can experience a dignified and respectful death.
Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and seek resources from our panel of professionals dedicated to ensuring equitable end-of-life care for LGBTQ+ individuals.
REGISTER HERE>>
Panelists:
Kimberly D. Acquaviva, PhD, MSW, CSE, FNAP is the Betty Norman Norris Endowed Professor at the University of Virginia School of Nursing as well as a Provost’s Office Faculty Fellow. Before she was recruited to UVA in August 2019, she spent fifteen years as a faculty member at the George Washington University School of Nursing and the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences. During her time at GW, she served as both founding faculty and the inaugural Associate Dean for Faculty Affairs in the School of Nursing. A year and a half after she published LGBTQ-Inclusive Hospice & Palliative Care: A Practical Guide to Transforming Professional Practice in 2017, Kim learned that her wife Kathy had ovarian cancer. Kim and Kathy spent the next six months sharing their experiences via social media and giving people a sense of what it’s like to be living while dying. Shortly after Kathy died in August 2019, a New Yorker documentary film was made about Kim, Kathy, and their son Greyson. Her new book, The Handbook of LGBTQIA-Inclusive Hospice & Palliative Care, was published by Columbia University Press in October 2023. Dr. Acquaviva has a Ph.D. in Human Sexuality Education from the University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education, an M.S.W. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Social Policy and Practice, and a B.A. in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences. She is an AASECT-Certified Sexuality Educator.”
Isabel Knight is the Founder of The Death Designer, a company that provides end of life planning services, including funeral and vigil planning, digital account password management, advance directives, and assistance with reconciling fears of mortality. She takes a human-centered design approach, with a focus on promoting individual autonomy, sustainability, and home deathcare options. Her goal is to create a more humane and equitable end of life experience for all.
She is also the President of the National Home Funeral Alliance and a board member of the Funeral Consumers Alliance of Pennsylvania. She helps doulas and end of life businesses create a more inclusive and accessible experience for their clients through human-centered design workshops and also creates online courses and offers freelance graphic design work. You can find her on Instagram at @thedeathdesigner.
Bill Gately is a licensed grief counselor and former Funeral Director and owner of the Gately McHoul Funeral Home in Provincetown, Massachusetts.
“Funeral Law Lady” Emily de la Cruz is an attorney in Seattle, WA where she focuses her practice on funeral industry law and mortuary litigation.
Moderator:
Corinne Elicona has worked at Mount Auburn for seven years in many different roles including, natural burial volunteer, administration assistant, and crematory operator. She is currently Mount Auburn’s Education & Digital Content Manager, working on creating educational content on Mount Auburn; its history, landscape, and legacy. She is passionate about fostering a positive discourse around death and promoting education around end-of-life choices and equity so that everyone can experience a good death.
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Awash in Color: A Fall Foliage Walking Tour
2024-10-26 13:00 - 14:30, 2024-11-03 13:00 - 14:30 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Experience the beauty of autumn at Mount Auburn during this fall walking tour led by Visitors Services Assistant, Jim Gorman. We will visit some of the more colorful trees in our landscape in addition to looking for plant and shrubs putting out their fall fruits and nuts.
REGISTER HERE>>
Check-in will be at Story Chapel.
Capacity: 30 people
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Laurel Circle Lecture Series: Horticulture and Climate Change
2024-10-29 17:30 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
For the final 2024 installment of our Laurel Circle Lecture Series, our very own Vice President of Horticulture & Landscape Ronnit Bendavid-Val will provide an in-depth look at the current effects of the changing climate on our landscape and what to anticipate in the future. Among a host of relevant topics, Ronnit’s discussion will focus on ways that horticulturalists can adapt to changes in the environment.
The event starts with a catered reception in Bigelow Chapel at 5:30 with the lecture following at 6:30. For more information, please contact Matt Tufts, Special Events and Sponsorships Manager, at 617-540-0076 or mtufts@mountauburn.org.
Space is limited, register today!
REGISTER HERE>>
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Ronnit Bendavid-Val started her role as Mount Auburn’s Vice President of Horticulture & Landscape in 2022. She came to Mount Auburn with decades of experience managing large landscapes in both the public and non-profit sectors, running horticulture operations in NYC Parks, the High Line, and most recently Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

State of the Organization
2024-11-01 15:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Mark your calendar for our inaugural State of the Organization Meeting on Friday, November 1st, to be held in Story Chapel from 3:00 to 5:00 pm. We look forward to welcoming you and other members of the Mount Auburn Cemetery Community, in person and online, as we share news of our achievements from the past year and our plans for the future. Members of our leadership team will be available to meet with attendees, to discuss important details of Cemetery operations, and to answer your questions.

Event Schedule

3 PM – 4 PM During this hour-long reception, visit one or several staff stations to learn more about our lot and grave care services, our private event offerings, the benefits of your Friends of Mount Auburn membership, and more.

4 PM – 5 PM Mount Auburn President & CEO Matthew Stephens will present the State of the Organization. Following the presentation, Mr. Stephens, along with other members of Mount Auburn’s Executive Leadership, will answer questions from members of the audience.

Registration

In-Person Attendance

Registration is not required for in-person attendance. If you have any questions about access or to request any reasonable accommodations that will facilitate your full participation, please contact us at clientrelations@mountauburn.org.

Virtual Attendance

For those who cannot attend this event in person, a virtual option is available starting at 4 PM. Follow the link below to register and you will be sent instructions for attending virtually prior to the event.
VIRTUAL ATTENDANCE REGISTRATION>>

Fall Bulb Planting
2024-11-06 09:30 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Get your hands in the soil alongside our horticulture staff during our annual fall bulb planting. Bulbs planted in the Cemetery each fall add blooms to Mount Auburn’s early spring season. Bring your enthusiasm and your favorite planting tool and gloves if you have them. We’ll have plenty on hand to share. Dress for garden work.
REGISTER HERE>>

Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Burial Info Session (Virtual)
2024-11-09 11:00 - 12:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
Curious about burial and memorialization at Mount Auburn Cemetery? Come learn about our various burial options, including cremation burial, natural burial, and conventional casket burial, and about the ways a person can be remembered at Mount Auburn whether they are buried here or not. You’ll have the opportunity to ask your own questions whether you attend in person or online, and you’ll receive information about how to sign up for a burial space tour if you decide Mount Auburn is the right choice for you and your family.
This info session will be led by Mount Auburn’s Sales Manager, Regina Harrison.
REGISTER NOW >>
VIRTUAL EVENT: You will receive a livestream link the day before the event.
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free access to all our public programs and discounts on special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.

Nature Drawing Workshop: Animals
2024-11-10 13:00 - 15:00 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States

Holiday Wreath-Making Workshop
2024-11-21 10:00 - 11:30 (America/New_York) | Mount Auburn Cemetery, 580 Mount Auburn St., Cambridge, 02138, United States
As the days shorten and winter quietly settles in, come gather with us at our Greenhouse for our holiday wreath decorating workshop. Greenhouse staff will briefly demonstrate different techniques before everyone creates their own unique wreath design. Wreaths, ribbons, and a fine assortment of dried garden materials and ornaments will be available for all to share. Please bring your own hand-shears.
REGISTER HERE>>
Limited enrollment; preregistration is required.
Please dress warmly as we will have doors open for air circulation.
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Experience a deeper connection to Mount Auburn Cemetery with free or discounted access to all our public programs and special events by joining the Friends of Mount Auburn. Our robust roster of programs each year is made possible by the generous support of our donors and in part by the Massachusetts Cultural Council.
For inquiries about accessibility, to request an accommodation, or if you have any questions about your membership, please contact friends@mountauburn.org.
