Facilities

History
Norfolk’s Elmwood Cemetery, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, is a fascinating insight into 19th century America. With the Parisian Victorian Rural Park Cemetery Movement in 1815, cemeteries became places that not only displayed social status, but became places to visit, reflect and contemplate, and enjoy a picnic or a stroll on a Sunday afternoon. Careful planting - particularly of trees - and architectural features that impressed or drew the eye were key features. The whole effect was that of a private, landscaped park, with a central chapel instead of a community house. 
 

In the early 1850’s, it became clear that Norfolk’s public cemetery, Cedar Grove, would soon be full.  John and Re­becca Tunis sold the City of Norfolk a tract of land known as Farmingdale. In 1852 a local paper published a request for proposals to build a brick wall enclosing the new cemetery. Elmwood was officially established in 1853.  It was originally connected to Cedar Grove by a bridge across Smith’s Creek.  The 1890’s saw the creek filled in with the extension of Princess Anne Ave. (now Road).  That period also saw the wall extended, the addition of the entrance gate, and more land added.  The Cemetery comprises just under 50 acres.  
 

Elmwood Cemetery features a tremendous variety of markers, stones, and family mausoleums. The Victorian romantic idea of death as sleep is evident in many inscriptions on stones as well as in the design of bed-like markers which include a tall head stone to resemble a headboard, a smaller foot stone or footboard and side rails - a romantic bed in which to slumber while awaiting judgment day. The majority of memorials incorporate Victorian funerary iconography – lilies, sheaves of wheat, lambs, tree trunks, roses, wreaths, seashells, anchors, cross and crowns, and shaking hands among others. Free standing angels and mourning figures are abundant including an eight feet tall heroic bronze recording angel crafted by internationally renowned Norfolk sculptor, William Couper. Some architectural points of interest include the Core and Le Kies mausoleums. 

Tours are offered during warmer months (April-October) highlighting these features and a sampling of the notable burials. 

Elmwood has no available property. Its records are housed in an office located on the grounds. 

The business office is closed, but appointments for funeral arrangements can be made by calling 757-441-2576. We do not offer any walk-in services. All other services like grave locations, visit our website at www.norfolk.gov/cemeteries to download our grave location app or call 757-441-2576.

Aerial Photograph & Map

• Aerial view of Elmwood Cemetery  
• Map of Elmwood Cemetery  

Interment Information Online
The Norfolk Bureau of Cemeteries' interment database is now available online via WebCemeteries.com. The Bureau's database does not include obituaries or monument photographs.  USGenWeb Archives, a cooperative network of volunteers that provides genealogical information on the internet, provides many of these in its interment catalog of Elmwood Cemetery.  If you cannot locate an interment, please call 757-441-2576 or email for more information. 
 
Cemeteries Events, Volunteer Opportunities, Conservation Information
Click here for information about Norfolk Historic Cemeteries events, volunteer opportunities, and conservation information.