The Place

The Old City Cemetery, a Virginia Historic Landmark on the National Register of Historic Places, is a treasure of Lynchburg's diverse history, culture, and natural beauty. With the help of private contributions and the loving hands of numerous volunteers, it has begun a new life as a restored garden cemetery, and its fascinating history and horticulture have been interpreted for its many visitors through books, brochures and self-guided tours.

The oldest part of the cemetery, within the original walls, has been closed to burials since 1965 and only a very limited number of burials have been allowed by special permission "outside the walls" since that time. The only consistently active parts of the cemetery since 1806 have been the Potter's Fields, areas reserved by the City of Lynchburg for interment of its indigent citizens. There are approximately 8-10 burials each year in New Potter's Field. The Columbarium, which opened in 2006, provides niches for urns and crypts for full-size caskets.

By order of Lynchburg City Council, effective June 1, 1996, the Old City Cemetery was authorized to designate a special place for the scattering of cremated remains, called the Scatter Garden. The Garden is sheltered in a natural dell, planted with peonies and groundcover, and enclosed with an "old" oval-shaped wrought-iron fence. The nearby Lotus Pond and Butterfly Garden create an atmosphere of serenity and natural beauty. The place and its purpose are identified with a marble monument, inscribed "Ashes of the Dead Have Been Lovingly Placed Within This Enclosure."

Policies & Procedures

1. A scattering fee of $100 will be charged in the form of a tax-deductible gift to the Old City Cemetery and Southern Memorial Association in the name of the individual.
2. The name of the deceased will become part of the permanent records of the Old City Cemetery and will be placed on the memorial tablet by the Garden.
3. Contact the Southern Memorial Association in the office at the Cemetery Center (434-847-1465) to make arrangements for scattering before the scattering and funeral take place.
4. Memorial services are allowed. The nearby Chapel or Station House Museum can be made available for use by the family at the time of the scattering. The cemetery is open daily, dawn to dusk.
5. Although no new gravemarkers are permitted at the Scatter Garden, there are a number of other ways to memorialize the deceased. Please contact the Southern Memorial Association to discuss these options:

• Gift(s) of a memorial plant may be made to the cemetery gardens in the name of the deceased. The botanical label may also include the deceased's name and brief biographical information. Selection of the plant and its location will be at the discretion of the Southern Memorial Association, in accordance with its long-range garden plans and lists of historical plant varieties. Planting will be done seasonally.
  
  Antique Rose—$300
  
  Flowering Shrub—$300
  
  Tree—$600

  A donation may be made for an iron bench with a memorial plaque attached or nearby. The location of the bench will be at the discretion of the Southern Memorial Association.
  

  Memorial Iron Bench—$2,500

  Other options for memorial gifts may be considered.

The Southern Memorial Association welcomes your visit to the Old City Cemetery and appreciates all contributions towards any aspect of Cemetery operation. All gifts are tax-deductible. Please make checks payable to: