Rural Cemetery Movement

The Rural Cemetery Movement, beginning in the mid-19th century, was a redesign of how people thought about burial grounds. It aimed to move cemeteries away from crowded churchyards into large, landscaped, park-like spaces located outside city centers. These cemeteries served not only as burial sites but also as peaceful parks for the public to enjoy nature, walk, and reflect. The movement prioritized natural beauty, accessibility, and hygiene, influencing the development of landscape design and urban planning, and helping to improve public health and community well-being.