Go Green: Cemeteries Going Green

By Tom Last

One of my favorite places to visit is Greenwood Cemetery in Brooklyn. With panoramic views of Brooklyn, Manhattan, and other outlying areas, from the highest elevation point in Brooklyn, Greenwood Cemetery offers an unparalleled photo opportunity and aesthetic visage. Not to mention the more than 400 acres sprinkled with impressive architecture including crypts and sculptures created for Manhattan’s elite society in the 1800s and 1900s.

In addition to writing about a great destination spot (I am not trying to tread on Lazer Lou’s territory), there is something else exciting to pass on to our readers, as I recently read an article on “Life After Death: America’s Cemeteries Are Rewilding” (NY Times: Cara Buckley: Nov. 29, 2024). The article covers how cemeteries (Catholic and Jewish) are changing their appearance to have a greener and more natural look, by removing invasive plants, supporting native shrubs, eliminating pesticides, allowing grass to grow wild and replacing some of the manicured grass with wildflowers.

Visitors initially saw these landscaping changes as a sign of neglect and disrespect (e.g. overgrown grass). And like our gardens at home, people are used to having lawns that are manicured and static-like. Acceptance of this change in landscaping became easier during the pandemic, as people wanted to reconnect to nature closer to home to avoid indoor public spaces and to look for tranquil resorts to forget the issues of the day.

Across the country, cemeteries are using these new landscaping practices that are providing more than just visual benefits but helping them to combat the effects of climate change. By allowing grass and plants to grow with less mowing, cemeteries are greatly reducing their carbon footprint, as less mowing equals less air and noise pollution. With the reduction of pesticides, these latest gardening methods provide healthier soil, more drought hardy grasses and plants, and improved biodiversity.

I highly recommend a visit to Greenwood Cemetery where you can meander amongst the oak and hickory trees (some which predate the cemetery’s founding in 1838) with foxtail flowers and other beautiful fauna, along with viewing the large variety of bird species (at least 216 different species). Sign up to receive yearlong Greenwood Cemetery event notices, which include activities such as concerts (yes concerts), bird watching and field trips. Unwind and enjoy your trip to the cemetery and as you walk through this beautiful landscape, feel good that the cemetery is Going Green.

One more recommendation – after visiting the Cemetery, stroll across the street to the Greenwood Park beer garden on 7th Avenue to enjoy a cocktail, some delicious food, and a place that has an all-around good vibe.