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.
Information
Cemetery Address
700 West 6th Street
Charlotte, NC 28202
Cemetery Map(PDF, 156KB)
Contact Us
704.336.2123
Cemeteries Administration
4426 Central Avenue
Charlotte, NC 28205
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.
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, 2024
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) |
$90 Infant/Child
$225 Cremains
25% Mausoleum |
Opening and Closing Fees
|
Opening and Closing |
Cost |
Adult |
Weekdays |
$1,300 |
Weekdays after 3:00 p.m. |
$2,700 |
Saturdays |
$2,500 |
Sundays & Holidays |
$3,000
|
Infant/Child up to 3 ft. |
Weekdays |
$600
|
Weekdays after 3:00 p.m. and Saturdays |
$800 |
Sundays & Holidays
|
$1,200
|
Cremations (in-ground burial) |
Weekdays |
$700 |
Weekdays after 3:00 p.m. |
$800 |
Saturdays |
$1,200 |
Sundays & Holidays |
$1,750 |
Second Right of Interment |
$850 |
Ossuary Burial |
$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 |
Transfer Burial Rights |
$150 |
Special Request Maintenance (per hour)
|
$150 |