Summer 2026 Cemetery Services Newsletter

Initially Published: July 2026

Welcome to Summer at Mount Auburn 

With the arrival of summer comes longer days, warm evenings, and more time to spend in the tranquil Mount Auburn landscape. Our gates are now open until 8 PM, inviting both familiar faces and first-time visitors to explore, reflect, and connect. 

Whether you're attending a service, visiting loved ones, discovering seasonal blooms, or simply taking a quiet walk, this time of year provides countless opportunities to experience the beauty, history, and tranquility that make Mount Auburn such a treasured place. We look forward to welcoming you during the summer months. 

Drought Advisory – Both the cities of Cambridge and Watertown have notified residents of watering restrictions due to the Level 3 – Critical Drought conditions. Mount Auburn will be observing water conservation actions as suggested. Expect the grass and turf in most grave areas to be dry this summer. This should recover in the fall when cooler temperatures return. Grass seeding will begin again after Labor Day, weather depending, for best chances of germination.   

Irrigation Work – This spring, the Cemetery had some unexpected challenges with needed irrigation infrastructure repairs. Thank you for your patience as we had several road detours and no working standpipes for a few weeks. Many (but not all) of the standpipes are open again. If you need water for your tribute and the standpipe closest to you is not working, please try another. Note: the water from the standpipes is non-potable and should only be used for plants. If you need drinking water, there is a bottle filling station at our public restrooms near the Mount Auburn Street gate.   

Shrub Pruning – Summer is the time for many of our shrubs and perennial plants to receive pruning and a general health assessment. During the period between spring growth and summer pruning, some shrubs may temporarily appear untidy. This is a normal part of their seasonal cycle, and our team times pruning work to align with plant health needs and environmental conditions.   

Tributes – Mount Auburn allows only natural flowers to be placed graveside to commemorate your loved ones. Funeral flowers for a new burial are collected after 5 days or when the grave regrading work is done. Other tributes are regularly collected after they expire or during area maintenance like mowing or leaf collection. 

Mount Auburn is home to hundreds of native wildlife species that thrive within the Cemetery’s landscape. Our staff works carefully to maintain a safe and sustainable environment, ensuring these habitats are protected and supported. Alongside them, a dedicated group of citizen scientists volunteer their time to conduct field research and conservation efforts, helping to advance important biodiversity projects across the grounds. At times, areas may be temporarily roped off to protect active wildlife habitats. 

 For your safety and for the well-being of our wildlife, please observe from a respectful distance and do not feed the animals.