Forest Hills Cemetery

One of the biggest and most beautiful cemeteries in New England. Unique, well maintained, and plenty to see. Peaceful. I had a long ride to get here, so I was so happy they had a bathroom and it was clean lol. Park outside or drive through. I, too, suggest driving through first to get a feel of the place. It's enormous. Bring your walking shoes and camera. No dogs or bikes, FYI. I will be back and definitely recommend, even just once. There's also an interesting cemetery across the street. So much to see! I was here for over 2 hours and I didn't see everything. For my video visit LUMLifeArt on YouTube or social media!

On a sunny winter day, when I seek solitude and deep reflection, I venture to the Forest Hills Cemetery. The snow-covered grounds, illuminated by the bright winter sun, sparkle with an ethereal light, giving the cemetery an almost serene, otherworldly beauty. The headstones, wrapped in a blanket of pristine white, cast long shadows that dance gently in the sunlight. Nearby, the ice-covered pond glistens like a jewel, its surface reflecting the clear blue sky and the stark silhouettes of leafless trees. Despite the chill in the air, the sun provides a comforting warmth, inviting contemplation amidst the delicate balance of life and stillness.

Great cemetery thanks for taking care of my dad grave. I visit him every birthday and his grave is well up kept thanks. A peaceful cemetery !! He been buried there 25 years , you guys are the best !

I went for the miniatures and got so much more. The place is a stunning outdoor museum. What a spectacular final resting place. Can’t wait to cover all 275 acres. I wish they offered a full program of activities like Green-Wood Cemetery in Brooklyn: bus tours of notable graves and important art, concerts, etc.

This is a wonderful place to come for a walk in beautiful surroundings. The cemetery is very well kept with clear paths and lots of interesting things to see from the graves themselves to the trees and foliage. It's very different from the burial grounds within the main downtown of Boston and was designed as a garden cemetery. Some of the tombs are absolutely stunning and are real works of art. Just inside the gates is a display of maps with a little donation box ($1 suggested). If you're not great with maps like me and there's a grave in particular you want to find, I would ask in the office for a more precise location. The cemetery is really big and the location circles on the map can have quite a few graves in the same area. I was just having a general walk and had a 50/50 success rate at actually locating the pinpointed ones. I found the smaller grassy paths are very well signposted but the larger main paths are not always so it's helpful to cross reference with the map on your phone so you don't get turned around too!

Amazing place to relax and walk. You can no longer walk your dog or ride your bike inside the gates. I can understand why. Nonetheless it’s probably one of the most beautiful places in Boston and historic.

Beautiful cemetery to walk through to gather your thoughts and enjoy your surroundings…nature and those who’ve come before you.

Very beautiful and serene place in the middle of major metropolitan area. Plenty of historical people have been laid to rest there. Go to the office and get a map is suggested.

I recently read about the lives of poets Sylvia Plath & Anne Sexton. Since I'm in the 02321 for a house-sitting gig, I decided to pilgrimage to Sexton's gravesite in Forest Hills cemetery--an absolute hidden gem (the cemetery, not the gravesite). The main office staff was lovely, outfitted me with a map, and off I went to find Anne. If you are at all interested in the literary strides these lady poets made during a time of complete male dominance & as forerunners to second-wave feminism (all while managing mental illness), I've got a book for you! Visitors to the Sexton family grave left stones, an embroidered handkerchief, and even a bottle of perfume. I figured I'd find ee cummings (because I was told how tricky he was to find). He's hidden next to his wife's family grave (Clarke) with a flat marker, so I did some hunting and Googling to find it. I also saw Eben Jordan (founder of Jordan Marsh) though I did not know who he was at the time. His mausoleum commanded a lot of burial real estate. You drive your car throughout, park as you would in any cemetery, and stroll around. Gates close at 4:30pm. (could be 4 pm).

Beautiful grounds and this is a huge place. People have been buried here since 1800s. I was able to find my grandmother's spots, my grandfather's spot and now the resting place of my uncle.

Was planning on going to a different cemetery while visiting Boston, but it was closed earlier than expected and I'm so glad. Forest hills was so beautiful. We followed the green line on the ground which led us to a really nice security guard who told us we could pull over anywhere so long as our car wasn't on the grass. We pulled over right by the large pond and enjoyed the aquatic life (geese, snapping turtles, dragon flies, aquatic insects etc.) as well as all the beautiful headstones and the life on them. Next time I come to Boston I'll definitely return to forest hills. A wonderful cemetery and a wonderful green space.

As a neighbor, it's devastating to watch as the trustees responsible for caring for this gorgeous and historic cemetery go to work to annihilate a stunning urban forest. After shutting neighbors out of the cemetery they've gone to work to destroy as many mature trees as possible.

My great, great grandparents, the Walcotts, are buried at Forest Hills. He was a Civil War officer, wanted him to participate in this years Wreaths Across America remembrance. Contacted Mary Bryson-Smith, she said Forest Hills participates with their very own Christmas wreath. What a beautiful Christmas wreath of quality material; quite a value. For a small donation I also acquired a couple of pictures to share with my siblings and cousins. Thanks again Mary and Forest Hills Cemetery.

This is a beautiful and historic cemetery. When my mom passed away last year, we decided this would be a perfect resting spot. The feng shui is calm and peaceful. The staff was super helpful and empathetic in helping us during our time of grief. They showed us various locations that had good feng shui and were patient as we decided.

A beautiful, huge cemetery. It can be a little confusing to navigate (you'll want a map) but it's a wonderful walk. So many interesting sculptures and mausoleums. Gorgeous in any season.

I visited Forest Hills Cemetery for the first time last week. What a wonderful place. It's my 2nd favorite cemetery...very closely behind Mt. Auburn. Wonderful walking paths, interesting monuments, birds and beautiful plants and flowers are abundant. If you want some peace, quiet, nature and beauty, I encourage you to visit.

Forest Hills is where my father, grandparents, great grandparents, aunts and cousins are buried. Today marks the 9th anniversary of my father's death so this is a review/nostalgic moment/happy anniversary post. I used to think it was bizarre the way my family had photos of gravestones down through the years with flowers in front of them, and none of me growing up. Now it seems normal. We visited Forest Hills several times a year from the time I was born. Even so, I always get lost in there and even getting there. It's huge. There was a reform school next door, and every time we drove by, my parents would tell us we'd end up there if we didn't behave. It's still the Dept. of Youth Services. It still makes me a little scared. Some friends and I went to this year's Day of the Dead Ceremony in Nov. Very primal setting, lots of incense scenting the autumn air as those in charge of the ceremony built a roaring fire, chanted, the children's group La Pinata danced, a woman spoke about the ceremony, while gusts of wind blew leaves everywhere and dusk descended. My dear friend's family is buried right next door in St. Michael's Cemetery...also not to be missed...amazing mausoleums and a great kiosk of information...lots and lots of Italian and Sicilians in there ;)). My family's favorite memorial is the Boy in the Glass Boat. We allllways stopped off to look at it. We were always warned that's what would happen if we stepped foot in a boat. Recently I realized that's what would happen if you stepped foot out of a boat. And they should've included the hazards of tennis/badminton to their cautionary tale to be really thorough. As listed, lots of notables in here. Not sure if anyone mentioned Eugene O'Neill, Gen. Dearborn, Gen Warren, and there's a beautiful statue of what looks like a Nigerian woman sitting cross-legged...not sure who she is. I should check. Always a good place for a picnic.

Forest Hills Cemetery is actually a garden cemetery. Plentiful art sculptures, memorials, architecture and nature to enjoy. This is a registered National Historic site since 2004. There are events held here year round such as the lantern festival and poetic convergence. As long as gravestones don't creep you out, you can find serenity while exploring this gorgeous garden or just grazing by the pond.

If you are looking to spend some time in nature, the Forest Hills Cemetery is as good or better than any Mass Audubon Wildlife Sanctuary (and I love Mass Audubon sanctuaries). This is the perfect spot for a jog, bike ride, or peaceful walk. There are usually few to no people here, and it is big enough that you can easily wander for a couple hours without ever returning to one place. In addition to a host of sculptural art installations, some of which are interactive, there is a ton of wildlife here, including snapping turtles, Great Blue Herons, migratory Cedar Waxwings and Baltimore Orioles, wild turkeys, Eastern Cottontail rabbits, and more. If you think cemeteries are too macabre for a relaxing stroll in nature, check out the Forest Hills Cemetery. You will be surprised!

Forest Hills Cemetery, you fail at life. Death, on the other hand, you do pretty well at. I'd say B+. You don't have a patch on my star pupil Mt Auburn Cemetery but you are a truckload prettier and more interesting than The Granary Cemetery in Boston. Your C or D grade from a year or two ago has certainly been improved on with the addition of a picturesque frog pond and a new sculpture trail. Some of this art - like the small stone beds and spiral of branches - are A+ quality. Others, like the ghost hologram lady under the bridge, are a little juvenile don't you think? I mean, it scared the life out of me! I don't want to fail at life. That's your job. Keep up the good work.

This place is stunning. I hadn't thought about where I had planned to spend eternity- despite the prompts from the jesus people with sandwich signs and goofy religious tracts. That is... until I stepped into the Forest Hills Cemetery. I could spend a lazy Sunday picnicking under the shade of one of their many blossoming trees, walk along the paths admiring the sculpture, or venture in among the graves to read about those long since departed. They often have art walks, as well as concerts and poetry in Forsyth Chapel and festivals such as the legendary Lantern festival (a must do- Thursday July 17th). For a calendar of events: go to http://www.foresthillstrust.org/calendar.html a true Boston gem!

What a beautiful cemetery! Enter through the most beautiful set of archways (the main entrance), veer to the right for a (suggested donation of $1) map, and start the most peaceful walk one could only dream about within city limits. To start, the map is extremely informative. There's a description of the history of the cemetery, pictures, as well as 56 points of interest (famous and/or interesting graves and monuments) on the well devised map! I've only been here a couple of times and have only scratched the surface of what is available to discover! If finding the points of interest isn't your thing, just take in the sights (juxtaposition of the ancient grave with well maintained shrubbery), smells of the fresh pine, and sounds of the birds in the trees. Just spending 20 minutes here will do wonders for your city-slicker soul. I actually prefer this cemetery to its larger and less intimate cousin -- the Mt. Auburn cemetery. In comparison, Forest Hills seems less overwhelming while still delivering all the key features (a pond, tall trees, statues, grass, etc -- all things suggestive of deep introspective thought). So go in for a nice afternoon, and leave feeling that you can understand the meaning of serenity.

I don't want to be buried when I die - my brain is too important to science - but if I would be, I'd want to be buried here, or in a place similar to Forest Hills. I'd like to think that people could enjoy the land and make it a place for the living while also giving them a chance to reflect on life. I like coming here to sit and read and write or go on walks. When I visited one day last summer people were walking their dogs, riding bicycles, doing yoga and reading by the pond. It makes it a vibrant place for recreation as well as self-reflection and one of those unique things that certainly makes Boston a great place to live. It's also a great place to take pictures and of course there are many famous people buried here as well (including one e.e. cummings, whose name on his grave stone is spelled out in all capital letters).

This place is awesome. Once I was upset and went here to cry. Isnt that what cemeteries are for? Of course I also lived a block away, so it made sense at the time. The expanse of this place is staggering. You can get lost. Take someone with you, you'll get paranoid and swear you see things. A camera is the best accessory here - it's beautiful in autumn and the statues are ethereal and amazing. The mausoleums are also interesting - you can peak inside and see tombs and leaves and all that stale, dusty air. My friend once found an old compass on Anne Sexton's grave. I found some rusted contraption while walking through the woods there once. I have no idea what it is, but I like to think ee cummings left it there for me. Just kidding! Sometimes there's poetry readings here. Now, I'm a poet and even I think the concept is a little over the top. Poets in a graveyard? Gee, that's not, like, a stereotype or anything. But if they asked me to read here would I say yes? You bet I would!

I visited the Forest Hills Cemetery for the first time this Memorial Day weekend. Because of the holiday they were offering a special 2-hour guided tour through the grounds, talking about the history of the place and specifically some of the "residents" who fought in the Civil War. We learned about members of some wealthy New England families who served their country (even though in those days you could pay someone else to serve for you) and visited the grave of William Lloyd Garrison the abolitionist. It was also recently discovered that at an unmarked site near the May family plot (same May as in Louisa May Alcott) lies the tomb of William Dawes. You may know him as the "other guy" who made that midnight ride with Paul Revere. Though there are memorial markers for Dawes at Mt. Auburn cemetery, he rests at Forest Hills, and nobody even knew until one of the staff was going through some old files and found the records about him. There is so much history at this place, but it's not all morbid. To see people placing stones and planting flowers on Garrison's simple grave shows that his revolutionary ideas live on today. Meanwhile, the beautiful grounds host tons of cool sculpture, including works by Daniel Chester French -- more of this statues than any place in the world except his studio at Chesterwood. Modern art installations also grace the hills, and you can wander aimlessly looking at the Victorian symbols on memorials in the old parts of the cemetery. There are tons of tours with different focuses -- nature and birdwatching, history, art -- and I'd recommend checking out the schedule to see if they interest you. It's totally worth visiting; you'll learn new things and get a sense of combined awe and peacefulness from the experience of this tranquil place.

I went to the Lantern Festival here a few backs. I must say the grounds are immaculate. I can't believe I'm yelping a cemetery, but this place is really beautiful. They have a gorgeous pond, too. The Lantern Festival was very well organized and everything was amazing. I would definitely go back. It made for definite amazing photo taking!

Forest Hills Cemetery was founded to serve the then-City of Roxbury in 1848. Along with Mt. Auburn in Cambridge, Forest Hills was intended to replace the old Colonial graveyards as a place of contemplation of Nature. The first land bought for the cemetery was the Seaverns farm - note Seaverns ave. off Centre st in Jamaica Plain center. It was expanded to its present size by the purchase of more farm and estate land over the years. Ironically, no sooner did the City of Roxbury open the cemetery than the the southwest portion of the city (including Jamaica Plain) seceded and formed the short-lived Town of West Robury. The Forest Hills square and neighborhood tooks its name from the cemetery, not the other way around. Historical nugget: one hunderd years ago, a gang of Latvian yeggmen (bandits) robbed a tavern on Washington st. and shot their way through the streets of Jamaica Plain. They hid out in Forest Hills cemetery, where the police surrounded them for the night. When the police went in, there was a massive shoot-out, killing one man, while the others escaped, never to be caught. http://www.jphs.org/20thcentury/one-dead-and-eight-wounded-in-tavern-robbery.html

I'm fully obsessed with the FHC. Its absolutely gorgeous for one, and their plenitude of public art is staggering. As a warning however, keep an eye out for one of the sculptures - a 'family' of wire, headless silhouettes formed around the trees. I was walking through at dusk and I was almost positive I had ran into a group of ghosts! A few tips: - A great place for jogging but my Uncle is a Boston Police Officer and forbids me from going in there after dark. - Definitely attend the lantern festival in July - you will be moved. - Take pictures! Between the art and the ornate gravestones you'll get some great shots - Take the Orange line to Forest Hills and walk up - Respect the space and nature - Think, Contemplate, Draw, Dream, Walk, Sing, Enjoy : )

Discovered this place just this past weekend. It's wonderful. A lot like Mt Auburn Cemetery, which kept me from ever having to discover Forest Hills when I lived in Cambridge. But Forest Hills has a really cool sculpture walk, which is a nice addition. You MUST sit in the "poetry chairs" around the lake, which is in the center. Seriously, they are the most comfortable things I've sat in in a long time. And they have a great view. Saw a red tailed hawk land right at the water's edge, and then fly off again. No further than 15 feet from us. A real treat. Plus there were blue jays and geese and buffleheads...and lots of beautiful foliage and of course, we payed homage to e.e. cummings, who'se grave is really not all that hard to find, if you read the guide. He's buried in his mother's plot, which is the Clarke family. Next time, we'll pay homage to Anne Sexton.

When I was a kid, one of our car "rules" was that you had to hold your breath when driving past a cemetery. This rule could only be bypassed if you were wearing red. On one stretch of land in the middle of my hometown, the breath-holding time easily surpassed a minute and we'd arrive at an intersection just past the cemetery red-faced and watching to see if the other person breathed, in which case he or she was like the biggest loser, ever. It's amazing what kind of things kids invent in a minivan. That said, I'm lucky to live in JP near some of the most beautiful spots in greater Boston. This place is no exception and now, outside my mom's old Chrysler and without my younger sisters in tow, I somehow feel free enough to both run *and* breathe through this place without any thought to old superstitions. I've gotten lost here enough to know the ins and outs (and to not tread accidentally through someone's backyard), where some of the dog gravestones are and the sculpture in the midst of the tombs. I love the benches around the pond. I love the stone bridge. That said, as of late, each time I go to Forest Hills I've ended up in a downpour. I wonder if there's a correlation.

I want to commend the staff at Forest Hills for the variety of events they offer throughout the year. The lantern festival is the most famous but their poetry events and walking tours show a deep interest in bringing this place of the dead back to life, so to speak. I still haven't found all the notables I'd like to find here... but that just gives me an excuse to go back.

Back in the day, American cemeteries were landscaped with great care so that people could commune with their loved ones. The sentiment is a bit macabre, but I suppose at the time there was a very constant sense of God, spirituality, and the great beyond. So a cemetery-cum-park was a practical way to make sure your leisure time was still appropriately contemplative. Nowadays, you can enjoy FH on that level or simply as a curiousity, a place to play, or an outdoor gallery of art. The central pond and wending paths make this a very pretty place in Spring, Summer and Fall. The tombstones themselves are ornate works of art, but the main draw is the modern art sculptures, stratregically placed so that looking for them is like a treasure hunt. At the main gates there is a place to pick up pamphlets that map out where the sculptures are and where other points of interest are (like e. e. cummings grave). What makes this place a success in terms of aesthetics is the way the art is strategically integrated into the landscape to be surprising and thought-provoking, yet still respectful and (mostly) reverent. This is a great place for a picnic or a wander. I like to bring visitors here, to show them something unique and special in Boston.

So beautiful and somber. My boyfriend and I walk the paths frequently. There aren't many other people walking around right now so it's very relaxing. My boyfriend and I are Jewish and have a great game we play: 1) find the grave of a Jewish person 2) find the oldest Jewish grave. It will take you a long time. Or you could pick any identifiers other than Christian. Also, there is a large memorial pavilion near the tower street entrance that looks like a war memorial, although there aren't any names. It's preemptive, I guess. Clever.

Don't come here. Seriously. Don't come here. Don't you dare come here, because I don't want to share. I don't want to share the pair of redtailed hawks that perch on the tombstones. Or the random clouds of mourning-cloak butterflies. Or the lone cormorant who hangs out on the rocks in Lake Hibiscus. Or the great horned owls calling to eachother through the hemlock grove at dusk. Or the smell of fallen leaves in the Autumn and damp earth in the Spring. Or the mushrooms that spring up everywhere after a rainstorm and look like something out of a fairytale. Or the easy silence that makes you forget completely that you're still in the city. I don't want to share that. I want it all to myself. So whatever you do, don't come here. Go somewhere else. Please.

Cemeteries inherently have a lot of things going on appeal-wise. People like them because the headstones are cool, because they're well landscaped, because someone they know is there, because they're old, because they're kind of into The Cure. Forest Hills Cemetery appeals to pretty much every interest set. Opened and designed in the 19th century by one of America's premiere horticulturalists, the landscape is brilliant, and touts the final resting places of historical notables like William Lloyd Garrison, Dr. Joseph Warren, and e. e. cummings. There's also a "lake" in the middle, surrounded by creepy gothic vaults (peer into the one marked "Felner." It's eery as hell). There are also art installations throughout from the 19th century to present. Don't miss "boy in the boat" or "girl in the glass." The cemetery, though it has a number of major landmarks that could presumably help guide you, is very easy to get lost in. If this happens to you, it won't take long for you to start thinking you're in some low budget horror movie that isn't that scary but really freaks you out regardless. The crematorium is not far off, and holds inside it the ashes of Sacco and Vanzetti, the famous immigrant anarchists who were (possibly) falsely convicted of murder and executed by the state. Forest Hills also makes a good date spot. I'm serious. There are lots of grassy spots around, and some lovely sculptures to sit next to for picnicking. That may sound creepy, but it is what the place was designed for.

Wow, this place is such a gem. Dead people usually creep me out, but it's more like a park than a cemetery. I found myself admiring the art, the trees, the birds, and mostly praising my dog for not violating the sanctity of Joseph Warren's grave. Tip: It helps to print out a map before you go. The little info stand at the entrance is usually empty.

My mother lives next to thise Cemetery. It is peaceful when walking around, relax or just for meditation. In autum is so colorful. Most likely like a garden. Even the nature sound makes you relax.

4 stars for their Lantern Festival A sort of American O-Bon An early evening gathering in the park. Drumming Floating Spirit Lanterns A good place to go with dinner, and a blanket... after a hot summer day. Really well organized venue

"I see dead people..." Yeah, so, I recently visited Boston in my semi annual pilgrimage, and instead of going to the Arboretum (also a 5* experience), I was offered an amazing tour of the Cemetery by a friend of mine. At first I thought it would be creepy, but as she showed me site after cool cite, a was floored at all the history and beauty. Some highlights: The E.E. Cummings stone and shrine. You can actually borrow (and hopefully return) E.E.cummings books there. The cremation area - a special set of plaques and landscaped/sculptured area for those of want to be in a Cemetery but have their remains cremated The "new cemetery" Kind of looks like Stonehenge. Cool if you want the aliens to beam you up when they take over the earth (lawl). Anyway, it was such a fun tour, on a Brisk Boston day, as on the north east has (bright sun, 38 degrees, no wind, with a few fleecy clouds). . Oh - and it's free! I HIGHLY recommend it. See me for tour guide info :-p

My father was buried here on January 4, 2017. At that time, we paid for the date of death to be put on his plaque. We were told that it would take 6 to 10 weeks to come in. After that time, we started calling to check on when it would be put on his gravesite. Our calls were never returned and on the few occasions when we did speak to someone, we were told that it was ordered and taken care of. After many attempts of contacting them with no results, my sister and I ended up driving up there to check on it in person. They were very upset that we were there. We found out at that time that they had not even ordered the plaque. Supposedly, they ordered it then. This was on April 27, 2017. The entire time we were there, they were very rude. On our way out, they told us 'don't call us,we will call you'. You would think that a cemetery would be respectful of the family. Forest Hills was not. They were rude, disrespectful, and unprofessional. I would not recommend them.

Pure Zen with beautiful art work and a peaceful pond where you can read or relax. Every year they have the lantern festival which is a great way to pray for your loved ones loss. People bring their own picnic foods, there are performers and a stand where you make your own lantern with a scripted message by a Japanese artist from SOWA.

I feel so fortunate to have been guided here by yelpers. I'd gone about living, totally unaware of the serenity that these sacred grounds command. As the oldest cemetery in New England, the 250 acre grounds houses a beautiful family of trees. The air is crisp. The tombs are ornate. Gravestones worn, but it gives you a reason to bend down and pay attention. There is so much history in this area and we tend to neglect most of it. So delve into the past a bit, ruminate. There's the perfect two chairs on the shore of the lake, cut from the trunk of the same tree in four strong swipes. Great for views of the shifting lantern formations in July.

Forest Hills Cemetery rivals Mt Auburn as the city's best "garden cemetery." Here, the Victorian landscape design is complimented by a contemporary sculpture path. Most impressive however is the annual Lantern Festival where thousands of people picnic around Lake Hibiscus, entertained by music and dance performances. Then at dusk, everybodyl lights candles inside paper lanterns and floats them in the lake. The sight of the glowing lanterns against the darkening sky is one of the most peaceful things i have ever witnessed.

Both of my paternal grandparents are buried here. The story goes that my grandfather loved exploring Boston on the T when he first got here. One day, he decided to check out the Forest Hills area, and found this stunning cemetery. He apparently told my grandmother in passing once about how lovely the place was, especially the wide open hillside. When he passed away, and the family was looking for a cemetery, my grandmother mentioned that he'd really enjoyed the Forest Hills/Jamaica Plain area. That was back in 1986. I remember driving into the cemetery for the first time being fascinated by the mausoleums and tombs, statues of angels, and just gorgeous landscaping with trees everywhere. You drive down this street to the left of the entrance, and hook a left on Yew, and suddenly you're out of the tree-shaded area with beautiful mausoleums and out into this open rolling hill, where the names on the tombstones suddenly all become Chinese with a few Italian names here and there mixed in. There's a lot more Chinese graves there now populating that once barren hillside, and most of them are Chinese. Something about the fung-shui of that field that attracts folks. Today was the first time I've been back to visit my grandparents since 2000, when my grandmother passed away. In fact, we had a bit of a family reunion with 22 of us (ages 6 months-72) visiting for the Chinese Ching Ming holiday. For Ching Ming, we basically go honor our ancestors with incense, booze, and a family picnic in the cemetery, while we burn fake money and gold by the grave. The kids are given incense sticks to give out to our great/grandparents' "neighbors." It's a good neighborly gesture :) in the past, I remember signs that said "no fire." This time I saw a sign at the gate saying "Forest Hills welcomes visitors for Ching Ming," and there were several metal bins available for people to use for burning stuff, and the "no fires" signs are gone. Seems like the cemetery understands their clientele now, especially as the Chinese population is growing here. I noticed other families around were lighting firecrackers to scare away evil spirits too. Kids run around and play, and the family has a nice picnic of roast pork (pork belly), chicken, fruits, buns, and pastries, after we kowtow'd 3 times to the graves, and poured some booze into the ground for my grandparents. The elders say a few words of respect and joke around asking if my grandparents are happy about seeing how much their family as grown. Everyone catches up with each other about life, jokes around with each other, and just generally has a good time. It's a good time to reflect on the changes in the family, and to remember where we've come from. On this visit, I've really appreciated the changes the cemetery has made to truly embrace the cultural diversity of its "residents" and their loved ones. Gone with the unwelcoming "no fires!" signs, which to me as a kid felt like they were signs saying "No Chinese cultural practices!" And in with welcoming and supporting their clients and the diversity that is Boston.

Forest Hills Cemetery. My home away from home. This is where I go when I'm in a real sturm-und-drang mood, or just feeling introspective. Which is often. I can and have spent entire days here, and picnicked here. There's some celebrities here, sure, but I don't really go for that. I also don't care much for the morning jogger/dogwalker crowd. The best time to go here, in my opinion, is during mid-fall, at sunset. I stroll aimlessly as the sun goes down, listening to Funeral Party by the Cure on repeat, or maybe some random darkwave on pandora, and just enjoy the peace and sense of self a beautifully landscaped cemetery induces in me. And to remind me that, no matter how bad I'm feeling at this point in my life, I've got it way better than these folks. There's also a house in this cemetery, near the entrance. If I could, I'd live in it. no, I am not kidding. :(

Beautiful during the spring and summer months. I love going there to walk around, sketch, draw, observe, etc. I'm a mausoleum junky, and there are great ones there lol. RIP all who lay there.

I never thought I would be rating a cemetery but the Forest Hills Cemetery is a beautiful place to visit. I am an Architectural Renderer so I love to go and sketch there. In the spring they have local artist works displayed there and some of the old monuments make great subjects to scetch. The other place I like to go when I have time is Mt Auburn.

I've never been one to stroll around a cemetary and in all fairness, I went to this cemetary to participate in the Dia De Los Muertos event on November 2nd (or thereabouts, who can remember). What an experience! This is some beautiful cemetary and they have the most extraordinary events. If you've never been to the Day of the Dead at this cemetary, mark your calendar and go. People bring food offerings for their loved ones (including cat food for their deceased cats) and then after the ceremony, the participants are invited to partake of the food that is left at the alters (not the cat food, unless you're really just that hungry). One woman had brought twinkies to memorialize her brother-in-law because he had loved twinkies (and who knows- perhaps that's why he's deceased). Anyway, the entire experience was absolutely magical with the incense floating up to the heavens, the candles and the children from the local fokloric dance troupe doing traditional dances. It appears that there are other events here throughout the year. Now that I've been turned on to this hidden gem, I'll most definitely make it a habit of going back.

I love it. This is the best park! Better than the arboretum, the pond, everything!! This cemetery is absolutely beautiful. People may think it odd to hand out in a cemetery, but this is different. FHC has art installations all over the place. Really cool stuff, and new stuff all the time. There are two ponds in FHC. One is man made in the new section with a beautiful waterfall. The other seems natural, the birds love it, there are islands in it, and if you hang out long enough, you will see the Crane. Big tall beautiful bird. Fine E E Cummings, some of the oldest graves in America, and my Great Grand-Parents (who I didn't know were there until I moved to JP!). Plenty of room for bike riding, jogging, dog walking, picnicking. Amazing gates at the entrance that look like a castle. A beautiful chapel where they have poetry readings and concerts. I'm going to the Buddhist lantern fest this year for the first time, can't wait.

It would be criminal to live in Jamaica Plain or Boston and not visit the Forest Hills Cemetery. There is so much history here, and it is fascinating to wander around unguided, or to go on a guided tour. Do not miss the Day of the Dead celebration that occurs in November.

i went here last night for the lantern ceremony and was blown away. too much buffy turned me off of cemetaries in the past, but now i am begining to appriciate thier beauty and serenity. i live near mt auburn, which is nice, but forest hills blows that one away swith is sweeping grandure, trees and buildings. i will def come back for a walk or a tour or another event. and i will be back next year for the lantern ceremony (with a charged camera this time...)

This place is utterly beautiful. It houses my favorite poet of all time, e.e.cummings, and many more to boast about. Less than a half mile from the Forest Hills station (orange line), or you can sneak in at midnight, of course with the boyfriend leading the way (there's a broken portion of the gate behind some church over that way) and it's freakyyyyy but really awesome. I highly recommend that! I love it in all the snow wonderland-ness. It's fabulous, and I took some great B&W's there with my 35mm :o) Also, those grave stones jut out like nothin' you've ever seen before if you haven't seen an old graveyard, ya gotta get over here.

This place will change the way you think about cemeteries. I still wonder what, exactly, "Perpetual Care" means - but the place is gorgeous. Every turn you take is a new landscape to absorb. Take your special someone and go for a walk here during early fall. It rocks. Saw a giant turtle chilling out on the banks of the pond. Saw a bird dive underwater and surface 20 yards away with a fish in it's beak. Saw a tiny yellow bird here. Still discovering things, and I live around the corner, visit just about monthly.

I can't even begin to explain the beauty that exists here. Read the other reviews. If I could give more than 5 stars, I would.

This is truly a beautiful cemetery and a really peaceful and beautiful garden at the same time. There is something charming and lovely about a place that has so much history and so many generations buried here. I know it's a little macabre to review a cemetery, but my grandmother is actually buried here but I've come here to not only visit her grave from time to time but to explore the breath taking grounds as well. From the historical graves to beautifully crafted tombstones from the 18th century and mausoleums that time forgot, you definitely find something new to look at every time you walk though here. It is beautifully kept. I've never actually seen anyone in the office all the times I've visited- almost like there is an invisible staff that keeps everything so immaculately clean! Although once, I went in the main building to use the restroom close to the time they were closing and no one was in there but I swear I felt a presence in there with me.. LOL. It has spooked me a little and I have not used the bathroom there again...but the main building is gorgeous and kind of gothic looking with huge iron gates. It's almost always remote with a slight breeze in the air. You can drive though the whole cemetery and there is another section across the street as well, or you can walk through and it is pet friendly which is nice. I've attended the Lantern festival for the first time last year and it's really a wonderful community event and gorgeous to see all the lanterns floating in the pond at night. There are also modern art pieces placed all around the grounds and just today while exploring, I stumbled upon a huge and gorgeous angel looking over a hill. It is really peaceful and just gorgeous here. Great place to go and just think and marvel at all the beautiful structures and appreciate the art that went into some of these memorials. I know my grandmother is at peace here and in good company.

this place will take your breath away. i am a cemetary enthusiast, but any ordinary human could not help but agree. i have wondered around here 4 or 5 times and could go back again and again and again. pick up a brochure at the front entrance and adventure around looking for the numerous famous people buried here (e.e. cummings, i think, the most challenging to find!). there are also art installations throughout the garden, as well as many woodsy paths to adventure down. easily accessible from the orange line forest hills stop, it's a terrific place to wile away any autumn day in the city.

Gorgeous cemetery that goes on and on. Easily could wander for a couple of peaceful hours.