It’s not uncommon to see Cedar Grove Cemetery crowded with visitors, especially on home football weekends or Alumni Weekend. It serves as a connection to the past, with notable locals, University figures, and friends buried there. Cedar Grove is a constant; a sacred place to call home.
Sitting on 22 acres of land, west of Notre Dame Avenue and adjacent to the University’s main gate, Cedar Grove Cemetery is a sacred resting place for members of the Notre Dame community and their families. Rev. Edward Sorin, C.S.C., established Cedar Grove Cemetery in 1845 on the far outskirts of campus, just a year after he founded the University. It was one of the first Catholic cemeteries in northern Indiana. The cemetery was originally run by Holy Cross brothers until the 1970s, before ownership was transferred to the University.
Cedar Grove has grown into its acreage, with the addition of four mausolea and a new columbarium over the years. All Souls Chapel, a place of worship at the center of the grounds, was designed and constructed in 1850. It is used to celebrate Masses on Memorial Day and All Souls Day, and for funeral liturgy services as requested.
Beyond its rich history, the cemetery’s architecture, landscape, and beauty lends itself to a peaceful location for reflection, memory, and consolation. Notable figures, such as the co-founder of the city of South Bend, Alexis Coquillard; large contributors to the University, Romy and Dorothy Hammes; and beloved television host and alumnus Regis Philbin are buried on the grounds. The young and old alike are engaged in the noble work of stewardship, binding the past to the future with a lively, present-moment faith. Final rest in Cedar Grove Cemetery allows for legacies to carry on and relationships to transcend generations.
The cemetery is open to the public from dawn to dusk, 365 days a year. Visitors can take self-guided audio tours or arrange a tour to learn more about its colorful history and those buried there. Please visit the Cedar Grove Cemetery website to learn more.