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September 2024 by Nicole N
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!
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September 2024 by Andrew Balmer
Forest Hills Cemetery used to be a wonderful place until they appointed the current CEO (yes, apparently cemeteries have CEOs) a few years ago. George H. Milley III has utterly gutted the cemetery of what had formerly been a spirit of welcoming embrace to the community, to the arts, and to the families whose loved ones lay there in rest.
The cemetery used to host festivals (a lantern festival, a Japanese Bon festival, etc) that both engaged the community and celebrated the deceased, but CEO Milley cancelled them because they were not profitable.
Milley has also embarked on a large-scale deforestation project, utterly clear-cutting swathes of what had formerly been beautiful and serene old-growth woodland — a project that threatens to render the cemetery’s very name obsolete, in addition to all of the typical environmental harms wrought by deforestation.
Under Milley’s leadership, the cemetery has severely restricted access to the community by permanently closing entrances, curtailing hours, prohibiting dogs, and empowering its private police force to kick people out for whatever reason they deem.
What’s worse is that the cemetery was founded on the principle that, in addition to being a place for families to bury their lost loved ones, it would be “a place which urban dwellers could visit to connect with nature, refresh the spirit, and take delight in beauty.” Essentially it was intended to be a public park. With all of the prohibitions and deforestation that Milley has embarked on, he is threatening these principles on which the cemetery was founded.
When the community has attempted to engage Milley and the cemetery’s staff about their concerns, they have been met with anything between complete silence and utter contempt. Milley’s attitude is very much “we’re a private organization; we can do whatever we want”.
The cemetery was gifted by (what was then) the City of Roxbury to the non-profit that currently operates it, under the condition that the public would have access to the grounds. But lately this “non-profit” cemetery has been betraying its obligations to the public as well as its original promise to the city when ownership was transferred to the non-profit. And this supposed “non-profit” has very much been on a mission to, well, make some profits by clear-cutting forest, canceling unprofitable community events, and keeping the community out. After all, they need the funds to pay CEO Milley’s $376,103-per-year (as of 2023) salary.
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September 2024 by Melissa Hamel
The FHC used to be a wonderful place for the community to visit for respite from the stress of the city, however since the new CEO came to town the cemetery stopped allowing dog walking, jogging, and even (horrors!) strollers. This used to be a well loved place to appreciate nature or participate in the annual Day of the Dead rituals, lantern lighting, poetry readings and more but no longer. The FHC has essentially banned the community from enjoying it and now it cuts down trees in a time of climate change. I cannot understand how this is allowed to happen but the FHC is a private enterprise so yay Capitalism. When cemeteries first were established they were intended to be both a place to remember loved ones but also be as parkland by the LIVING. The current leadership of the FHC has ignored the community and would rather we just go away. It’s sad. I no longer go there because I cannot support an organization that disrespects the surrounding community.
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August 2024 by Tragedy Comedy
Beautiful, peaceful and serene.
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June 2024 by Thomas Mayell
Under-used and privately owned, this is a waste of space that could be a park, wildlife reservation, a farm, or housing. But who needs all that?
Owned by the Forest Hills Educational Trust, a non-profit that relies partly on government grants and is surely comprised of abutters that oppose new housing. They claim to promote this as a communal space, putting on concerts for example, however a quick look at their website shows that there are ZERO events, and they prohibit dog-walking, jogging, and bicycling.
In other words, we may enter, but we may not enjoy this space. It exists to profit the owners.
And yes, how insensitive of me to criticize a cemetery.
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May 2024 by Cindy j (CJ)
Horrible Customer Service been sitting here for 30 minutes and keep getting ignored by Mitch .
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May 2024 by Natalie D
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!
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October 2023 by ionut constantin marinasi (WAYNE johny)
hope to last forever
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August 2023 by Keith Koma
Friendly and welcoming staff.
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May 2023 by Wild Rose
Beautiful cemetery to walk through. Pets are allowed if they're cleaned up after and there are many lovely paths to take through the woods and gardens.
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November 2022 by Mike Cap
Extremely beautiful, well worth the visit. Many famous people.
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October 2022 by eva kaniasty
No longer dog or cyclist friendly. Quite disappointing.
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October 2022 by Ashley T
The area of Jamaica Plain, Roxbury Dorchester Etc has a Hidden Gem. As you can see, this is not just a cemetery but a place where you can bring your family and have a picnic, there are walking trails and beautiful art displays not to mention the statues and the lake. A wonderful place to just Ponder life, as this is truly a place of life and not death.
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October 2022 by Anthony Trinciante
Beautiful cemetery to walk through to gather your thoughts and enjoy your surroundings…nature and those who’ve come before you.
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October 2022 by Jim Connolly (Barefootin'Wanderer)
Grandfather buried here... James Bernard Connolly Arlington, Massachusetts WW1 Veteran ground Marker no headstone
