Bohemian National Cemetery

I am writing to express my concern about the use of Bohemian National Cemetery as a venue for concerts and other entertainment events. While I understand that some see these gatherings as community-building, many of us view the cemetery as sacred ground that should remain a space of peace, reflection, and respect for those who have passed. For many religious and cultural traditions, music and entertainment at a burial site are considered inappropriate and even deeply disrespectful. Because this cemetery serves families of diverse backgrounds and faiths, I believe it is important to uphold practices that honor the most sensitive beliefs rather than risk causing distress to grieving families. I respectfully ask that management reconsider hosting concerts within the cemetery grounds, or at minimum engage in dialogue with community members and families who have loved ones buried there before making such decisions. Maintaining the dignity of the cemetery ensures that it remains a place of comfort and respect for everyone. I hope that the voices of those who see the cemetery as a sacred space will be taken into account. I’ve spoken to many members who have loved ones buried at bohemian and they are all in disbelief of the acceptation on having some sort of concerts being hosted on cemetery grounds.

I want to express how deeply upsetting it was to see a concert being held in a cemetery where my family members are buried. Cemeteries are meant to be places of rest, reflection, and respect—not loud music, crowds, and entertainment. It was incredibly painful to see people walking over graves, including those of my loved ones, without any awareness or reverence for the space. I understand the desire to host unique events, but this felt very inappropriate and disrespectful to the memory of those who have passed and to the families who visit to grieve and remember. I truly hope those in charge will reconsider using this sacred space for such events in the future.

Bohemian National Cemetery on Chicago’s northwest side is a peaceful and well-kept place. I visit every so often to spend time with my mother, who passed years ago. The grounds are beautiful, making for a calm and reflective walk. It’s quiet, serene, and thoughtfully maintained, providing a comforting atmosphere for remembering loved ones. A respectful and tranquil spot for reflection and remembrance.

This is a beautiful, quiet, and serene cemetery on the outskirts of Chicago that do not give off the "city feel". It reminds me of backwoods Ohio with the birds and crickets and tons of tree cover for shade. The history inside the main center is enthralling. My grandfather and siblings are buried here as part of their Czech heritage. I recently visited and it gave me the same comfortable vibe I got when I last visited over 10 years ago. The only advice I would give is to the grounds keepers. There were many knocked over headstones and the place definitely needed the attention of a weed whacker. Other than that, the architecture and energy was on point.. for a cemetery ☺️

First time going to a Candlelight event and seeing a string quartet. The music and venue were incredible. Such an intimate musical experience. Highly recommend and will return for many more performances!

Special thanks to the staff member who helped me find my Dad on a weekend when they were not open. We had 1 shot after driving around and leaving to go back home ( Ca). Someone was nice enough so be kind to these people. Sometimes they go the extra mile for you! Saw my Dads entire family and had no idea as a college student NEU my Dad was right there - he died when I was 6.

THIS IS A CEMETERY WHERE BOTH MY PARENTS ARE BURIED!! It boils my blood that there have been concerts held here for the past 3 days … this is UNACCEPTABLE and so disgusting and disrespectful for those who have family and loved ones buried here

I guess this is the oldest cemetery in Chicago. I went there for a Hindu last rites. Although the place could use some maintenance and renovations you cannot take away the meaningful calm of the place. The manager is a very nice guy and the staff is very nice too.

The first time I visited this cemetery was several years ago, and for a very specific purpose: To attend a concert in the columbarium near Halloween. That was when I first learned what a columbarium is (a place for cremains to be placed). Most often these are outdoor resting places, but this indoor one has a large chapel-like area inside. There are benches near the wall niches for one to visit their loved ones. Bohemian National Cemetery is a major graveyard in the city. Its origins lie in discrimination. After the Great Fire, a woman who was a member of Chicago's Bohemian community was refused burial at one of the Catholic cemeteries. Bohemian in the 19th century did not have the same meaning it has in 2022; the area once considered Bohemia is now Czechia. Thousands of members of this immigrant community worked to establish the cemetery, which saw its first burial in 1877. Bohemian National Cemetery is not affiliated with a specific religion. Upon arrival at this cemetery, you'll see one of its most unique features: The funeral bell that still hangs within the stone cemetery gate. Every other funeral bell in a Chicago cemetery has been removed and/or replaced. I'm not sure, however, if it still tolls when a funeral procession passes through the cemetery. There are several sculptures throughout the cemetery by the artist Albin Polasek. Amongst them is The Pilgrim, just in front of one of the family tombs, and Mother, which is directly in front of the columbarium. I was surprised to find the Beyond the Vines is really a wild monument. Made to replicate the outfield wall at Wrigley Field, major Cubs fans can be interred in this outdoor columbarium. Ivy covers the wall, and there are stadium seats on the west side of the monument for people when visiting. Lastly, this cemetery is home to a memorial for the victims of the Eastland disaster. In 1915, the Eastland was docked and ready to set off for the annual picnic of a local electric company. The ship never left the dock; rather, it capsized where it was docked near Clark Street. 844 people lost their life--and amongst those, 22 full families perished. On the 100th anniversary of this tragedy a memorial was unveiled to those who died that day. Bohemian cemetery is certainly historical and has some very interesting monuments and sculptures, and is a must-visit for any taphophile. However, it's a bit unkempt in some areas, and rumor has it they don't allow tours through here any longer because someone on a prior tour stepped into a dip and hurt themselves. So if you do visit, be careful.

The office receptionist is awful. I called to obtain information on my grandmother. I was told to call back in 15 minutes because she was using another program on her computer and couldn't look it up. I called back 20 minutes later and she hung up the call, then called again to be put on hold for 10 minutes...no joke. I called back and she asked for my information and said she'd look it up and call back. I ended up going to the cemetery about 45 minutes later and she was on a personal phone call talking loudly until she realized someone was in the office. Lack of professionalism and sensitivity to the whole situation.

Always looking for a new place to explore, the Bohemian National Cemetery offers a lovely atmosphere. They have a nice website with a map and several memorials throughout the land. The cemetery is very drivable with places to pull over and share a moment or walk throughout. They have done a nice job keeping it clean with trash cans available throughout. We enjoyed stopping by to pay respects and walk throughout the area.

Beautiful beautiful cemetery. The cemetery was established by members of Chicago's Czech community in 1877. The community had been outraged when a Czech Catholic woman named Marie Silhanek was denied burial at several Catholic cemeteries in Chicago because she supposedly never made her Easter Duty (going to confession and Holy Communion at least once during the Easter season), which is incumbent on all Catholics, even today. In response, the Czechs purchased land in what was then Jefferson Township to create a cemetery that would be under their control. The original plot of land was 50 acres (200,000 m2). Over the years, the cemetery expanded to 126 acres (0.51 km2).[5] The cemetery was notably featured in the 1998 film U.S. Marshals. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2006. They had the biggest collection of Woodsman Of The World tree trunks I've ever seen. Took us awhile to find the Pilgrim statue. The Cubs Fan Forever wall looked like. It had major damage done when the tornado went thru. Some gorgeous art deco statues and traditional angels. Spanning about 125 acres, Bohemian National Cemetery has been called a beautiful Garden of the Dead , is a Chicago landmark and is listed on the National Registry of Historic Places. Rich with both aestheic and genealogical information, the cemetery is the final resting place for nearly 120,000 people. The cemetery is now open to people of all ethnicities and religions.

My Uncle was buried there in January. We ordered marker that was suppose to be placed back in mid- July. I called monument place in early August to see if it was placed since they hadn't notified me. I was told by them that they had tried calling cemetery and they had not responded but marker was ready to go. Asked if I would try calling them since we are the customer they might react to my call. Well it has been almost a month since I have been calling and I know they don't know what they are doing there. Orders were suppose to be put in for cement for the marker. Same info taken down to put in order for the cement. Did we pay the cement fee? No one looks it up. Cement fee was paid when I ordered marker and they cashed check. I feel like they are scamming me. The incompetent people they have working there is unbelievable. I am horrified at the fact they run a business this way. No one knows what is going on. Today my info was taken for the marker (again) and supposedly given to person who is going to lay cement. Let's see if we can get it in before we get cold. The worst customer service. No one calls you back. Sent them copies of my receipt for marker. Where did that go since no one seems to know what I'm talking about when I call. Mind you I am talking to same person for the last two weeks. They keep putting me off. No one should have to go thru this incompetence. Absolutely

Less than 0 if possible.. my brother was cremated and we bought a niche and plaque on Cubs wall. $2900 later.. and a year on date 6-11-19 Damage to wall in May.. several tiles fell with my brother's plaque.. lost plaque.. Tiles still not repaired.. now I'm not talking a huge amount of tile. Have left over 30 calls .. Not returned by office. One retiring employee , Beth, left message that she would reorder plaque.. ok.. but tiles still not fixed. A ceremony was on 6-11-19. To out of town guests.. SHOCKED.. NOTHING THERE TO SHOW MY BROTHER'S ASHES ARE THERE..

I'm going to make this review short and sweet. Dealing with the office and the two ladies running it) and trying to obtain grave information (for long dead ancestors) was time wasting, maddening, surprisingly unhelpful and almost useless. I was astounded what is essentially a business had so poor/non-existant customer service. Washroom old and dingy with toilet paper on the floor and excrement dribbled in a couple places on wall by toilet. Stunningly beautiful 150 yr old cemetery grounds rather poorly kept. Noted headstones knocked over in certain areas - who knows how long they were/are lying toppled over. Disheartened and disgusted by our visit there.

Yes a 5 star because this is one of my favorites to frequent. I am also a find a grave researcher so this is the place that is near my University (NEIU) and I get to spend some time without fear of being locked in. OR CAN I? Well, it was Hallows Eve (Halloween) 2010, when I actually got locked in. So this story will twist up for a minute. I got out of school early Sunday (Yes, as a full time worker I have to go on weekends at times) and I decided to do some research on a family I was getting info for who live in Germany now. Well, it was 3:00 and I know the Cemetery closes around 4:30 so I had time to read and find. But what I didn't know was that they closed their gates at 4 with no sign to let you know what was happening. The rest is history, I waited until someone came a few hours later to open the gate for me, but lucky for me it was opened. Now Bohemian boast some of the oldest grave sites in Chicago, and has alot of history. While researching I found out that back in the 1930's Chicago had Siamese Twins that actually came here, but after researching it turns out that they were cremated and their brother got the remains. If you like the Cubs then you will love the fact that they have a "CUBBIE hall of fame" for those who would like to be part of that mini mausoleum for ashes. They also boast real Chicago Stadium seats that have been embedded in the ground. In Fall the colors of the cemeteries are just very beautiful and winter, well the cemetery has a whole different feel to it. A few friends have been interred here and I have come for visits all the time. Although their are only 4 real "famous" cemeteries to find here, I will give them to you: See the photos of this one, I will post them up, This statue marks no specific grave. Their is one special statue called "The Pilgrim," it was designed by Albin Polasek. The sculpture depicts an old woman, walking toward the Stejskal-Buchal mausoleum in the Cemetery. The figure's face is shaded by its hood. Tales of local legend through the years have stated that the image actually portrays "Death," and portends that anyone peering under the hood, looking at the face, will die within the year.Ummm, I stare for a long time here and nothing so far. Not that I should be testing the legend, but any who, Now you know. Also Chicago's very own Anton J Cermak (35th Mayor of the City) is here also. He was a Czech immigrant born in Kladno, a village near Prague. Chicago's 22nd street (Cermak) is named after him. You can check out the photos of his Mausoleum, in the photo section. The Cemetery is very big and expansive, so if you are into walking and just reading epitaphs, go on by. And here's another piece of info that may or may not be useful: The first gravedigger for Bohemian was honored here. The Cemetery actually has him towards the front, check out the photo of his massive marker.

Watch out ! I was there burying my Auntie on Nov 22, 2022. My personal items was stolen from my car purse, (debt cards, drivers license)AirPods and two bags . When I went back to cemetery, The employee was not surprised, says it happens. " We use to have signs say lock your doors!" Im so upset that during a grieving time people are checking cars. This was the day before Thanksgiving ! Be aware!!

This notable cemetery dates back to 1877 and is filled with Czech, Slovakian, Moravian, and Bohemian names. Its interesting structures include a charming Victorian-era gatehouse on Pulaski and a standout crematorium building, as well as an excellent collection of funerary sculptures. The mausoleum of former Chicago Mayor Anton Cermak is located here (he was assassinated in 1933 while riding with FDR in Miami).

They are really just compasionless people for the most part and just rather unhelpful if you can get your loved ones cremated elsewhere please do so theysend a rusty white van out and have the people just act very disrespectful like I know its their job but it's not routine for the rest of us and the worst part is if you talk to them about asking for help thay act as though your a pain to deal with and like they're doing you a Giant favor not the job you paid thousands for

Uncle Louis was our famalies first resident here: 1918 bad flue epidemic in Chicago. I stopped by in 1952 to say bye to Grand Ma Anna Klekar Unseitig. No complaints from anyone yet. Nice place to enjoy a keepsake. So to speak.

We have our momma here couple years and from the get go has been a shit show ! Waiting for her headstone then when it got here they trashed her roses that we kindly asked to be careful or let us know so we can remove , NOPE they stepped all over them !! Then we place an iron trellis and they take it when it was not on the way of the lawnmower ! They cut her roses again without warning ! And now they break her bench with their big equipment ! The workers are careless i walk to her and I've caught various workers sitting on people's headstones !!!

Beautiful Cemetery. Family is there. The experience of trying to get a headstone, however, has been intense AND painful. The two women behind the counter are ALWAYS INTENSE AND TREAT YOU LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU. Had to make three appointments to even TALK about how to get a gravestone. When we finally just walked in and told them we are in no rush to get a head stone, just want to start the process, the way we were treated was like they would rather us leave then help us. I heard one lady say out loud after her salad came for lunch, "I wish I could just sit down and eat". I don't want anyone to lose their job, but a little "customer service" goes a long way. I don't think they even realize how they make people feel. Dealing with burying a loved one is hard enough, why should we have to put up with being treated this way?? "YOU are not selling car parts, YOU ARE SELLING GRAVESTONES! BE NICE AND TAKE TIME FOR YOUR GRIEVING "CUSTOMERS"!

We visited this cemetery today and it was a pleasant experience. We'd read about the history, which was quite interesting - and there's some nice statuary, plus it's well-maintained.

I will say--I've been stomping cemeteries in this city since I was 12 years old and this one...is unlike any of the others... Forgotten...lost...misunderstood. All of these words describe the feeling of this place. Years ago I was reading something in the mausoleum when something wandered over to me and sat on the bench next to me to see what I was reading. The seat creaked when it did. When it got bored, the entity stood up--the seat creaked again, and as it walked away I could see the curtain moved where I'd felt it pass.

I agree with others who have also awarded Bohemian National 5 stars. It's probably only bested in Chicago by Rosehill (due mainly to who is buried there). "National" in its name may conjure some official state connections, but I couldn't find any. While you can pick up a basic walking tour map to wander about on your own (and drive as you go, if you like), Google Maps has made it sooo easy to get the lay-of-the-land before you arrive. Of course, finding those noteworthy family mausoleums or poignant gravestones will take some walking around. There is a section of civil war era dead. Also for those killed in "The Great War," WWI. This is THE major burial place of many who perished in the infamous Eastland boat disaster of 1915, so many of those immigrant couples have photo-studded markers here. Don't miss the Columbarium (maulsoleum for cremains - cremation remains). Do go inside for a visit. Because this building is from the early part of the 20th Century, the two wings off the grand chapel show the reverence for the deceased in those post-Victorian times. You will see extraordinary glass-doored memorial niches filled with mementos of each deceased beloved. Recently, a special wall outside the old columbarium was erected for memorializing late Cubs fans. No glass doors on those niches. Hopefully, each were witness to ONE pennant while they were alive! There is a group called Friends of BNC that gives walking tours and provides other information about the cemetery: http://www.friendsofbnc.org/ Check out their site for photos and maps. A word of caution as you arrive at or depart from here. Pulaski Road at and just south of Foster Ave. seems highly favored by the city for situating both a red-light camera AND one of the newer speeding cameras (it's just south of the bridge after Foster as you head south). So keeping your speed just below 30 mph will make your visit without incident or extra cost.

Interesting feeling to give a cemetery 5 stars.... but these grounds are intriguing and mystical. My Czech family is buried here, and so I try to make a visit at least once a decade, but Los Angeles is far far away. But you just don't see historical grave sights like this anywhere. Many of the headstones are written in Czech with porcelain photographs of the deceased attached to the stone. Statues, trees, geese, peace and quiet. I'm grateful to have this sanctuary to ponder my past.

This is a beautiful cemetery and a member of my family is buried here. However, they seem to be a bit behind the times in terms of running the business. For example, if you call to find out if they're open on holidays (it's a bit of a trek for me) you just get a voicemail: "Leave a message." How about something like: "We're located at Foster and Pulaski. Our hours are generally __ to __ except for Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas, and New Year's Day when we're open __ to __. If you're calling about something else, please leave a message." That would be a lot less frustrating. Signage for anything except the Eastland Memorial is also minimal.

zero Stars Worst place ever they could care less that anyone is a human being they have no souls no compassion they can't keep their paperwork together all of their reference numbers on our paperwork from my brother and my sister who passed less than one month from each other the numbers are all different they give me my sister's remains back after cremation with these titanium screws in them my sister didn't have any screws in her body she never had anybody Parts replace so therefore there should have never been screws so therefore the family do not believe that the cremated remains are those of my sister all of the reference numbers are different please please do not use these people that place should be shut down they also do animal cremations there so who knows who's getting what cremated remains

So we instructed them to specifically before cremating my Father's remains to call us first before they do so. We wanted to be sure it was his remains and we wanted to do a prayer service before cremation. They agreed and told us they would do so. Then I called about 3 weeks later and they told me that they cremated the body without telling us and they did not listen at all to our wishes. They even had the nerve to tell us that we did not pay when we did and had the receipt. This is by far horrible service and DO NOT GO TO BOHEMIAN NATIONAL CEMETERY for any of your family's service. They will make excuses and not do any of your orders.

The cemetery is storied and beautiful. Worth a visit. Though, it is truly sickening and disrespectful to make money off the dead by having horror movie nights and music performances. It may be different if the cemetery was full and only filled with historic monuments, but it's not. This place is still actively burying the deceased and many families have been horrified to know that their loved one's death is being used as a novelty and prop to create ambiance for a tacky event such as a horror film. If you consider burying loved ones you should know their graves will be walked over and disrespected as people spend the evenings watching slasher films. I mean, seriously?!

If you like interesting old cemeteries, this is a great one! Lots of neat late Victorian sculptures and mausoleum and the tomb of Cermak as mentioned by a previous reviewer. This place would photograph really nicely on a foggy day whent the trees are bare -- the graves here have a bit of a spooky element. The gateway, made to look like a Czech castle, is an important architectural landmark in and of itself.

This is a cemetery rich in history. A cemetery for free thinkers, Memorial to the Eastland Disaster and so much more. Staff is very nice at the cemetery. I have 2 relatives buried so long ago they are still on the paper books and not in the computer system yet. My mother and me purchased a head stone for a family member and just stopped by today to see that the new headstone is in and they cleaned the area around the two graves. What a rich piece of Chicago history and wonderful, dedicated people who work there!

Good news - another benevolent Freemason polished up Great-Great-Uncle Alexander's headstone. Bad news - after 25 years, STILL no sign of leather-clad zombies dancing in formation.

Even if you don't have any Bohemian ancestry (which, I don't), this is a nice stop if you're in the Albany Park or surrounding neighborhoods. Some of the headstones/markers are quite extravagent (which, I think, makes a case for cremation--donate the money spend on extravagent headstones to charity instead). I also understand that they offer picnics during the summer (which, strikes me as a bit odd--whatever).

The worse place ever! Please let this be the last place you choose if you love the person you recently loss. The people who work in the office which are 3 elderly woman can care less for your grief and the fact that its not the time or place to treat people like crap. They always act like you're a complete bother to them. They never have an answer to your questions. We tried to get a stone for our loved one thats we laid to rest there and everytime the lady in charge of that department acted like she didnt have the right paper work needed and always told us she would set an appointment with us but never a call or email. We stopped by at a later time to try to get a stone made again and she yelled at us telling us we can get a stone anywhere that it didnt have to be with them. A year later after having the stone done somewhere else and the stone being ready for months, we are now here asking for the foundation for over six months. No explanation for why the foundation is still not down when they said they'll start the process April 1st.

Bohemian National is beautiful, there is no doubt in that, but the way this "buisness" is run-if you can even call it that- is absolutely awful. The first time I came here to visit my late father's niche in the Mausoleum was easy and we were let in promptly. Then we went on Father's Day, but we're unaware that Sunday's are appointment only. Realizing our mistake we called the regular number and emergency number in hopes that we could visit our father's niche on our first father's day without him. The regular number led straight to voicemail. A woman picked up when I called the emergency number but laughed at me when I asked if it was Bohemian National and then hung up on me. There was nowhere on their website or their office board that stated holiday hours or anything of that sort. I am appalled by this service and completely distraught. If I could pull my father's urn from this place, I would, but unfortunately there's no one to let me in to even see it.

I wish they stayed open later in the day, but the service is fabulous. I knew my great grandmother was buried in the cemetery, but no idea where. I sent a note to the cemetery not really expecting any response but they sent me detailed information telling me exactly where my 7! relatives were buried within a day or two by both email and regular mail. For history buffs there are many graves of families from the Eastland disaster and it is heartbreaking to see sometimes an entire family of 5 or 6 who perished on the same day, or sometimes even worse, where all but one family member was killed in the accident. A hauntingly beautiful place.

I just had my first visit to the Bohemian National. I am working on our family tree and needed help so I stopped in at the office and explained what I was doing and needed to get a list of people with the particular surnames I had in our tree (3 total). I have to say that I was a bit taken back as the woman did not want to help. There were about 4-5 men and women behind the desk just talking about hair cuts so I knew they really weren't very busy but the woman just kept making snide remarks about what I needed. She finally did provide the 3 lists and there were 3 columns that had various numbers in so I asked her if she could tell me what they were for and she got all upset and said that it would take her 2 weeks to explain everything to me! I asked again if you could just tell me what these 3 columns represent and she picked up a pen and wrote Lot, Block and Section. She was very upset about this but I asked for a map and said that I could figure it out myself. Driving throughout the Cemetery I felt so sad. It was not kept up very good, large tree branches in the roads blocking you from driving, some of them toppled over on graves bringing the headstones to the ground. Many other headstones have fallen over face down and you could tell they were like that for some time. I was very upset to see this. We pay to have our loved ones buried so they will have eternal peace and then to see the graves just ignored like they are not important was disheartening! I gave it 4 stars because this is a historical place with wonderful people in it and deserves respect. But as far as the attitude and help of the staff, they only deserve 1 star and that is just for showing up for work! If this was not so very far away from my home I would love to volunteer to help clean it up! Bless anyone who does! Laura R.

3 years later and my family are still waiting for my father's grave marker to appear on his grave.