There is always something new at West Laurel Hill. Check out the press page often to read the latest news and happenings at the Cemetery and with the staff!
Press
Open Space & Recreation: Expanding Our Vision of Open Space and Trails
Open space, parks, and trails in Montgomery County provide an essential respite for residents to maintain their physical and mental health. However, overcrowding and limited access to parks during the…
Grave Images: A musical trip around Philadelphia’s historic cemeteries
Cemeteries are inherently interesting places. That’s true even when nobody of note is buried there. It’s the history, the architecture, the culture and religion, and the overall atmosphere. While …
President & CEO Awarded ASLA Honorary Membership
We are proud to share that our President & CEO, Nancy Goldenberg, has been awarded Honorary Membership from the American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA). Honorary Membership is among the greate…
Graveyards as green getaways
Similarly, Philadelphia’s Laurel Hill and its sister cemetery West Laurel Hill were founded in the 19th century as alternatives to the churchyards. In his diary in 1835, Laurel Hill’s founder John…
‘We ask forgiveness from the dead’: Why Jewish volunteers are washing bodies in a pandemic
Patricia Quigley, a funeral director at West Laurel Hill Cemetery and a member of the Reconstructionist Hevra Kadisha, said it’s just one of many mourning rituals that have been disrupted there, fro…
The New Normal: Challenges Faced by Cemetery Administrators
Our President & CEO, Nancy Goldenberg, participated on a virtual panel discussion about cemeteries in the time of COVID-19. The session covered “The New Normal: Challenges Faced by Cemetery Administ…
Tombstone Tourism is Booming
A curious thing is happening at some of the oldest urban cemeteries in the United States. They’ve become havens for cabin-fevered city-dwellers. Thousands of cooped up people are flocking to them ea…
Cemeteries see surge in visitors as people maintain social distancing amid coronavirus pandemic: ‘We need to get outside’
As cemeteries across the nation close their gates due to the coronavirus pandemic, some urban graveyards remain open, even extending their hours, to accommodate a surge in visitors seeking exercise an…
Jewish Death and Mourning Rituals in Philly Adjust to Epidemic
Pat Quigley, a funeral director at West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Funeral Home, has been a part of the Reconstructionist Chevra Kadisha of Philadelphia for almost 30 years. A chevra kadisha, a sacred s…
Live a Greener Life
Live a Greener Life It may sound morbid, but our carbon footprint continues to stomp along long after we die—unless we take the initiative to peace-out in the greenest way possible. Lucky for us, P…
2 historic Philadelphia-area cemeteries host citizen’s science walk for birds
On Saturday morning, Laurel Hill and West Laurel Hill cemeteries will team up with birding experts for the Great Backyard Bird Count, a free citizen science event that anyone is invited to take part. …
Celebrate Black History Month in Philadelphia With These Events, Tours, Exhibits, and More
TOURBlack History Month Walking TourWest Laurel Hill Cemetery in Bala Cynwyd offers this guided walking tour paying tribute to black Americans both famous and underappreciated, from singing superstar …
Pet & Aquamation Services at West Laurel Hill
Corey from Mainline Business Community Podcast spends a few minutes speaking with Ginny, who works at West Laurel Hill Cemetery.She explains the aquamation process offered through West Laurel Cemetery…
West Laurel Hill Funeral Home Gets the Green Light
West Laurel Hill Funeral Home Gets the Green Light Management Company Awarded Small Business Advantage Grant for LED Lighting Replacement BALA CYNWYD, PA – December 2019 – The West Laurel Hill C…
West Laurel Hill Cemetery Gets Grant For Light Replacement
With new energy efficient lights, West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Funeral Home in Bala Cynwyd will save nearly $4,000 in annual savings. BALA CYNWYD, PA — West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Funeral Home i…
New Mainline Greenway is in the works
LOWER MERION — Excitement is growing among cycling enthusiasts as the Mainline Greenway, which would create a safe biking route from the West Laurel Cemetery to Stoneleigh Gardens, begins to take sh…
Get Ready For Manna’s Scary-Good ‘Run 4 Ur Life’ Fundraiser
Rob Saxon of Manna joins NBC10’s Rosemary Connors to discuss the organization’s annual ‘Run 4 Ur Life’ event. The spooky festivities begin October 24 at West Laurel Hill Cemeta…
Have fun, do good: Halloween Fun Galore
HAVE FUN, DO GOOD: HALLOWEEN FUN GALORE South Street Pumpkin Fest, a late-night run through West Laurel Hill Cemetery and more spooky things to do in Philly this week for a great cause. Run4UrLife in…
Without A Cue Productions and West Laurel Hill present Murder Mystery dinner
On Saturday, October 12, 2019, Without A Cue Productions and West Laurel Hill presented “Once Bitten, Twice Dead.” The event featured a reception with hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, dinner, a chance…
5 Spooky Date Night Ideas this October
Gravediggers’ Ball October 18, 7 pm–midnight The Mütter Museum, 19 S. 22nd Street This annual fundraiser of the Friends of Laurel Hill and West Laurel Hill Cemeteries invites guests to come in…
Spooky 5k Through West Laurel Hill Set For Oct 24
BALA CYNWYD, PA — The spookiest 5k event in the area is all set for Oct. 24 at West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Funeral Home in Bala Cynwyd. The Run4UrLife 5k will be held at 6 p.m. on Thursday, Oct. …
A Greener Afterlife
The West Laurel Hill Cemetery and Funeral Home has the greenest burial practices in the country. Now you can care for the earth even after you leave it. Visit West Laurel Hill Cemetery on a Wednesday…
Natural Resting Place
FROM THE AUGUST 2019 ISSUE OF LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE MAGAZINE. In the summer, the 400 grave sites in a section of West Laurel Hill Cemetery outside Philadelphia that is known as Nature’s Sanctuar…