At over 123 years old, this cemetery holds much of the history of the Detroit area within its borders. Monuments and mausoleums throughout the cemetery memorialize the lives of Detroit greats from the auto and music industries, key philanthropists to education, art and other causes, major political and financial figures and many others who served as an important part of history.
With architectural structures modeled in ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman styles, Woodlawn serves as an outdoor museum to be revered by all. These grand architectural structures eternally memorialize these important historical figures with solid and intricate design, built to be honored forever. Founded in 1895, Woodlawn features a beautiful landscape in a park-like setting on 140 acres.
With architectural structures modeled in ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman styles, Woodlawn serves as an outdoor museum to be revered by all. These grand architectural structures eternally memorialize these important historical figures with solid and intricate design, built to be honored forever. Founded in 1895, Woodlawn features a beautiful landscape in a park-like setting on 140 acres.
Services
Woodlawn Cemetery has been designated by the state as a Perpetual Care Cemetery, meaning that the resting spaces for you and your loved ones will be maintained from now until the end of time. Our commitment to you is to care for you and your family's needs throughout an experience of loss. We are also dedicated to assisting you in the pre-planning process to alleviate unnecessary burdens from your family in a time of grief and gain peace of mind.
When you join Woodlawn Cemetery, you'll be joining the ranks of the best that the industry has to offer. From maintenance to administrative operations to sales, Woodlawn Cemetery prides itself in hiring and training the finest candidates in the industry. Our training programs utilize techniques that have stood the test of time and have proven successful over and over again.
Ms. Franklin is known as the Queen of Soul for her highly-acclaimed talents as a singer, songwriter and pianist. Her musical legacy includes the hits "Respect", "(You Make Me Feel Like a) Natural Woman" and "I Say a Little Prayer" among many others. Ms. Franklin was the first female performer inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Pre-planning your cemetery arrangements is one of the most important things you can do. Pre-planning gives you the opportunity to plan every detail of your cemetery arrangements ahead of time. By recording your wishes ahead of time, you will release your family from the burden of planning your arrangements during a very emotional time.
When a death occurs, most people don't know what to do or who to turn to. For those left behind, planning final arrangements and locating documents at the time of loss is extremely difficult. When you organize your important documents in advance, as well as plan your cemetery arrangements, your family will be spared difficult decisions during an already emotional and difficult time.
Reviews (10)
Sheila Hughes
Dec 31, 2021
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The staff, notably Kay Tatum has severly tarnished the impression I've always held of this historic beautiful cemetery. In August of this year, my sister and I visited to purchase a headstone/bench for my mother's grave. At that time Kay also attempted to sale me a plot , and in fact called me on several occassions to continue her "sales" attempt. Never during any of those calls did she ever indicate a delay or any problem with the order for the bench , which we paid for in full in August! Finally, I asked Kay for a status of the bench , she responded with alarm and asked me - what bench? Of course
Raimie Crenshaw
Nov 04, 2021
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Always has and will be a beautiful, monumental place, but the staff is tarnishing that image. They're not only insensitive to needs of the grieving(it doesn't end after the burial) but they misinform. Ms Gaines advised me of misinformation regarding a headstone, which of course lead to delay for my loved one. Never received a phone call to apologize or an update, since she called and attempted to sell me a plot. My only advice to her is stop advising your GRIEVING customers to send you time sensitive info to your cell phone just for you to forget and give the excuse of "I wish I seen this earlier
Audrey Ridgell
Nov 02, 2021
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I had the pleasure of meeting Kay Tatum who provided exceptional customer service on some personal business I had with Woodlawn Cemetery. Unfortunately, there were a couple of things that unfolded that pertained to the past burials of my Mother and Father, but thanks to Kay she righted the wrongs. Thank you Kay you are truly an asset to Woodlawn and the definition of what excellent customer service is.
Michelle Cass
Oct 26, 2021
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Kimberly Scherer
Aug 15, 2021
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Saham Kareem
Jul 25, 2021
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Mercades Benz
Jun 29, 2021
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The cemetery is beautiful. I saw rosa parks . I been wanting to go see Rosa Parks for a while so I was overwhelmed knowing I got the opportunity to see Rosa Parks. The downside is that the Graves in the back of the cemetery are covered with grass. I tried hard to remove some off a few Graves. I wanted to go back to clean off a few Graves hopefully soon. This is a beautiful place.
Dean Politis
Jun 04, 2021
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You need to be extremely careful walking here. The road has huge potholes and the lawn is uneven. I almost twisted my ankle walking to the graves I was visiting. In the 43 years we have been coming here,I don't recall then ever filling the holes in the road.
The management has improved from the past. Several years ago they came to the graves on Memorial Day to see if people had ant issues. The past two years they haven't done this; but with covid, it is better they didn't.
It is much safer than before. I would still recommend locking your doors when cle a ning and visiting graves. In the past
The management has improved from the past. Several years ago they came to the graves on Memorial Day to see if people had ant issues. The past two years they haven't done this; but with covid, it is better they didn't.
It is much safer than before. I would still recommend locking your doors when cle a ning and visiting graves. In the past
S. M. K.
Jan 15, 2021
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Beautiful historic cemetery with many of Detroit’s greats buried there.
We stopped by the office and a representative met us outside with a map and list of some of the notable people buried there with the locations. The map I’ve found online, but not the the list, so I’ve included it here.
It’s a peaceful and reflective walk or drive, with symbolism everywhere. Such detail and artistry in the moments to honor these people. The walk/drive gives you a history lesson of sorts. We looked up the unlisted large monuments and often found the story of those buried there. It was a real representation
We stopped by the office and a representative met us outside with a map and list of some of the notable people buried there with the locations. The map I’ve found online, but not the the list, so I’ve included it here.
It’s a peaceful and reflective walk or drive, with symbolism everywhere. Such detail and artistry in the moments to honor these people. The walk/drive gives you a history lesson of sorts. We looked up the unlisted large monuments and often found the story of those buried there. It was a real representation
Ron Mosocco
Jun 30, 2020
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Humbly remembering we are all mortal and life is fleeting, we paid our respect at the graves of those whose material items we visited during our stay including:
1. Rosa Parks - the Modern Day Mother of the Civil Rights Movement
2. Aretha Franklin- the Queen of Soul
3. Edsel Ford - Henry Ford's only offspring
4. Benson Ford - Edsel's son
5. William Clay Ford - Edsel's son
6. Dodge Brothers
7. Matilda Dodge Wilson - William Dodge's widow and builder of huge estate we visited
8. Of note William Clay Ford's wife (Martha Firestone Ford) is in her 90s and the owner of the Detroit Lions
9. Plus
1. Rosa Parks - the Modern Day Mother of the Civil Rights Movement
2. Aretha Franklin- the Queen of Soul
3. Edsel Ford - Henry Ford's only offspring
4. Benson Ford - Edsel's son
5. William Clay Ford - Edsel's son
6. Dodge Brothers
7. Matilda Dodge Wilson - William Dodge's widow and builder of huge estate we visited
8. Of note William Clay Ford's wife (Martha Firestone Ford) is in her 90s and the owner of the Detroit Lions
9. Plus
