It's October, and for a lot of people that means an annual trip to a cool, maybe spooky cemetery. Here in Tennessee there are great ones to explore any time of year, full of history, beautiful headstones, and intriguing sculptures. Some of these offer tours as well, which would be a great way to learn more about the history of the site and those who are interred there. Below are some of the best cemeteries in alphabetical order by region, and how to find them to get you ready for your next road trip!
WEST TENNESSEE
Elmwood Cemetery, Memphis.
824 South Dudley Str.
Open Mon-Fri 8am to 4:30pm, Saturday 8am to 12pm
One of the finest cemeteries in the state and the oldest in Memphis. Established in 1852, it is one of the first rural garden cemeteries in the South and has many of the most notable figures in Tennessee history, including governors, mayors and senators, veterans of every American war, blues musicians and African American icons. The cemetery is also an arboretum and boasts stately old elms, oaks and magnolias!
Hollywood Cemetery, Jackson
406 Hollywood Dr, Jackson, 38301
Established in 1886, this cemetery was also part of the rural garden movement, and while it does not have formal gardens, it does have a lovely pastoral setting with many old, established trees.
Memorial Park Cemetery, Memphis
5668 Poplar Ave, Memphis
Founded in 1924, this is a beautiful cemetery to visit for its sculptures and famous handmade Crystal Shrine Grotto – a cave created by artist Dionicio Rodriguez that depicts biblical scenes. This is a lovely place to stroll and explore. Bring a picnic!
Riverside Cemetery, Jackson
400 Riverside Cemetery, Jackson 38301
Established in 1824, this cemetery was created to replace another, older cemetery. Because there are nearly one thousand unmarked graves, many of which are slave and Civil War soldiers, this feels like a place where many displaced souls can be found, longing for recognition and peace.
Shiloh Military Park
1055 Pittsburgh Landing, Shiloh, 38376
The site of the famous Battle of Shiloh contains many of the fallen Union soldiers from the Shiloh and Corinth battlefields, as well as two known Confederate soldiers and an unknown number of other Confederate soldiers interred in mass graves. The cemetery is in the northeast corner of the park, next to the visitor center. Be sure to stop in to see the Shiloh Indian Mounds Site, also in the park, which was inhabited from around 1000 to 1450AD!
CENTRAL TENNESSEE
Calvary Catholic Cemetery, Nashville
1001 Lebanon Pike, Nashville 37210
Established in 1868, this beautiful cemetery adjacent to Mount Olivet is the only Catholic cemetery in Nashville. While it does not have the wow-factor of Mount Olivet next door, you can still find some lovely headstones and monuments in this peaceful site. One of the most significant and powerful aspects of the cemetery is the Priest’s Circle, where the city’s clergy and bishops are laid to rest. Whether you are of the faith or not, I think this cemetery will certainly move you. Sign up here to receive notification of an upcoming blog post!
Cedar Grove Cemetery, Lebanon
609 S. Maple St, Lebanon, 37087
This fantastic cemetery was established in 1846 and holds many of the early leaders of Middle Tennessee. With a strong nod to the Civil War, it holds the graves of 130 Confederate War dead and veterans and boasts an impressive monument. It’s a mix of modern graves with the older, more established ones, and overall an interesting place to spend an hour or two!
Greenwood Cemetery, Nashville
1428 Elm Hill Pike, Nashville
Established in 1888, this is one of the first cemeteries in the state created by and for African Americans. This historically significant cemetery holds many of the city's most prominent citizens such as artists, musicians, physicians, and activists, as well as ordinary Nashvillians, and is a moving mix of old and new gravestones. Nearby Mount Ararat Cemetery is the first African American cemetery. Together they are the oldest organized Black burial sites in Nashville. The fascinating history around the development of this cemetery by former slave turned-successful businessman Preston Taylor is so worth exploring. Check out my blog post on this cemetery here.
McGavock Confederate Cemetery (and nearby Carnton Plantation), Franklin
1345 Carnton Ln, Franklin 37064
Established in 1866 on land donated by the McGavock family, this gravesite holds nearly 1,500 Confederate solders who perished during the Battle of Franklin. Many of these are unidentified dead, and the nearby Carnton Plantation became a military hospital during the fight. If you are looking for scary sites and believe in ghosts, then this is the place for you. Many tales have been told of ghostly apparitions and unhappy souls who appear here, and ghost hunters have not been disappointed! Sign up here to receive notification of an upcoming blog post!
Historic Beech Cemetery, Hendersonville
3216 Long Hollow Pike, Hendersonville 37075
Cemetery tour every third Saturday in October
Nestled against Beech Cumberland Presbyterian Church, this congregation reaching back to the early days of the frontier established its brick and mortar home and cemetery in 1813. Truly a fascinating old graveyard and the church is also a special place to visit. See my blog post here to learn all about its history!
Mount Olivet Cemetery, Nashville
1101 Lebanon Rd, Nashville 37210
Established in 1856, this is one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the entire state; a can’t-miss place to visit for outstanding monuments, historical figures who influenced Nashville, a Confederate circle and more! Think governors, US Senators, US Congressional Representations, a Supreme Court judge, antebellum plantation owners, famous scientists and successful businessmen. Trust me, you will want to set aside hours to view the incredible monuments. Make a day of it and visit Calvary Catholic Cemetery next door, and Greenwood Cemetery around the corner. Visit my blog post to give you an overview of this memorable cemetery and a taste of the monuments you'll see there.
Mt. Olive Cemetery, Clarksville
955 Cumberland Drive, Clarksville, TN 37040
The first recorded burial in this historic African American cemetery was in 1817. Over 90% of the graves are unmarked, and it can be assumed that many of these dead were slaves. It is hard to be in this Sacred place without wondering about the lives of those who reside here, and feeling their restless souls as well.
Nashville City Cemetery, Nashville
1001 4th Ave S. Nashville, 37203
Thenashvillecitycemetery.org
In the city’s oldest public cemetery you will find some of the most prominent figures in Nashville history, including four of the city’s founders, Revolutionary and Civil War soldiers and generals, 15 mayors, Jubilee Singers and much, much more. Free tours of the cemetery happen every second Saturday of the month, and every weekend in October. There are living history tours and evening lantern tours, and an excellent app helps you discover the cemetery on your own as well. Sign up here to receive notification of an upcoming blog post!
Stones River National Battlefield, Murfreesboro
3501 Old Nashville Hwy, Murfreesboro, 37129
The site of the significant Battle of Stones River, the cemetery was established here in 1864, and bodies from the battlefields of Tones River, Franklin, Murfreesboro, Shelbyville, Tullahoma and Cowan battlefields are interred here. Since this is the site of one the bloodiest conflicts of the entire Civil War, you can rest assured that there are many lingering troubled souls!
The Temple Cemetery, Nashville
2001 15th Ave. N, Nashville
The oldest Jewish cemetery in Nashville, this site was established in 1851 and is the cemetery for The Temple Synagogue in Bellemeade. Many of the people who helped develop and grow Nashville are interred here, including early settlers from Europe fleeing violence and oppression, and successful businessmen and influencers. Be sure to check out this blog to learn more about the history of this cemetery and interesting burial customs of the Jewish faith!
University Cemetery, Sewanee
735 University Ave, Sewanee, TN 37383 (The cemetery itself is on Georgia Ave.)
The university began construction in 1860, and this beautiful and tranquil cemetery became the designated resting place for those who lived and served on campus. The university is nestled among forests and gorgeous stone buildings, and this small(ish) cemetery’s headstones reflect the moss, granite and greenery of its surroundings. One of my favorites so far in Tennessee because it is so peaceful and charming. Come for the cemetery, stay to explore the beautiful campus, the many hiking trails with old growth forests, and the exceptional All Saints Chapel and Chapel of the Apostles.
Zion Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Columbia
2322 Zion Rd., Columbia, 38401
Established in 1806, this cemetery is where the Scots-Irish community that helped found Columbia is laid to rest, and represents not only its every day citizens, but also those who fought in nearly every war, including the Revolutionary War. There is also a section for slaves and former slaves, and fascinating sculptures. See this link for a blog on this historically significant cemetery and church.
EAST TENNESSEE
Andrew Johnson National Cemetery, Greeneville
121 Monument Ave., Greeneville, 37743
The site of the graves of polarizing President Andrew Johnson and his wife Eliza, it boasts an impressive memorial to the president. There are also other lovely headstones to help you learn about the history of Greeneville through its people. For example, soldiers from many wars are interred here, including the Spanish-American War, WWI & 2, Civil War and more.
Chattanooga National Cemetery, Chattanooga
1200 Bailey Ave., Chattanooga, 37404
Established in 1863 to hold the remains of Union soldiers who died in the surrounding area’s Civil War battles, including Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge and Lookout Mountain, and casualties from Sherman’s march to Atlanta. In addition, the graves of German internment prisoners during WW2 are here. Altogether a moving and significant cemetery worth visiting. It holds over 50,000 graves!
East Hill Cemetery, Bristol
E. State St, Bristol, 37620
This cemetery established in 1857 has a fascinating blend of graves, with sections reserved for African Americans , many of them slaves, as well as a section for Confederate soldiers. A historic cemetery that reflects the complex nature of the settlement of the area and their descendants.
Old Gray Cemetery, Knoxville
543 N. Broadway St., Knoxville, 37917
Another wonderful example of the garden cemetery movement, this is the second-oldest cemetery in Knoxville, established in 1850. The beautiful sculptures and gravestones mark the sites of a governor, US Senators & Congressmen, artists, poets, activists and soldiers. This cemetery is notably mentioned by Tennessee Williams in his short story, “The Man in the Overstuffed Chair,” and in the book by Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist Peter Taylor, In the Tennessee Country. At only 13 and a half acres, it doesn’t take much time to visit, so you can also add in Knoxville National Cemetery next door to your visit! Click here to sign up to receive an upcoming blog on this beautiful cemetery.
Knoxville National Cemetery, Knoxville
939 Tyson St., Knoxville, 37917
Located next to Old Gray Cemetery and established in 1863, this is the resting place of almost 10,000 Union soldiers who fought and died in the siege of Knoxville and the Battles of Fort Sander and Cumberland among others. This is also the site of a very large Union Soldier monument erected around 1890.
Before you visit these cemeteries I highly recommend purchasing Stories in Stone: A Field Guide to Cemetery Symbolism and Iconography to understand the various styles of headstones, crypts and mausoleums, as well as the numerous symbols you'll encounter and their meanings. A great way to learn about how the histories of cemeteries are told though sculpture, architecture and secret societies like the Masons!
Hope you enjoy your travels! Please visit the Sacred Sites of Tennessee website, Instagram or Facebook pages if you are interested in learning more about cemeteries, churches, temples, Indian mounds, old growth forests and other Sacred and historical sites in Tennessee. Would love to hear your suggestions for other cemeteries you'd like to see blog posts for!
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