Woodlawn Cemetery, Bronx: Flower Rules, Hours and Finding a Grave

Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx is one of the country's great historic cemeteries, a place people visit for its monuments as much as for family. Its rules are stricter than many, so it is worth knowing them before you bring flowers. Here is what Woodlawn itself says, from its website and its published rules.

Gates and hours

• Main entrance: 4199 Webster Avenue, Bronx, NY 10470. A second entrance is at Jerome and Bainbridge Avenues.
• Grounds: open every day, 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, weather permitting.
• Office: weekdays from 8:30 AM, and Saturdays, closed Sundays and major holidays. Phone 718-920-0500. Call to confirm Saturday hours.

Finding a grave

Woodlawn does not have a live online search. Instead, it takes requests through its burial records page: it confirms whether someone is buried there and gives the location, free of charge. Ask before your visit so you arrive with a section and lot. The office can help on the day too. Our guide to finding out where someone is buried covers other ways to search.

Flowers at the grave

• Artificial flowers are allowed, but Woodlawn may remove them without notice if they look worn, spill onto other graves or get in the way of maintenance.
• Metal and glass containers, glass vases, vigil lights and other embellishments are not allowed in grave areas and may be removed.
• Flush marker sections: only a sunken vase set flush with the ground is allowed in front of the marker, and in the Parkview Section no vase is allowed at all.
• Plantings: a 12-inch border may be planted in front of a monument or marker if Woodlawn approves; ground cover like ivy is not allowed.

Woodlawn says it is not responsible for anything placed on a grave that is removed, lost or stolen.

Flowers in the mausoleums

Floral tributes inside the community mausoleums are limited to designated vase areas in buildings built before 2000. Glass containers are removed, nothing may be taped or glued to a crypt or niche front, and tributes that look worn are cleared weekly.

Visitor rules worth knowing

• Photographing memorials requires Woodlawn's permission; personal visitors can ask the office for a photography form.
• No cycling, jogging or unleashed dogs, and children under 18 must be with an adult.
• Drive under 20 miles per hour and never park on the grass.