Garden Cemetery Movement

The Garden Cemetery Movement was a 19th-century reform in cemetery design emphasizing natural, park-like settings over traditional, crowded burial grounds. It aimed to create aesthetically pleasing, tranquil environments that served both as burial sites and public parks, promoting health, reflection, and community. Inspired by landscape design principles, these cemeteries featured winding paths, trees, and open spaces, encouraging visitors to view them as serene places for contemplation and socialization. This movement reflected broader societal shifts toward healthier, more respectful memorialization and the importance of green spaces for urban well-being.