Cemeteries in Cherry Hill, NJ: A Guide for Families

Cherry Hill's cemetery landscape

Cherry Hill's cemetery landscape spans more than two centuries. Colestown Cemetery is the last surviving trace of a small hamlet founded by Quaker settlers in the late 1600s, while Locustwood Memorial Park is a 20th-century, park-style cemetery designed to serve families of all faiths. Between them, they represent nearly the full range of memorial styles and traditions families in Cherry Hill are likely to encounter.

Colestown Cemetery

Colestown Cemetery, located at the intersection of Kings Highway and Church Road, is one of the oldest cemeteries in present-day Cherry Hill Township. It is the only remaining trace of Colestown, a small hamlet founded in the late 1600s by Quaker followers of William Penn, and it takes its name from the hamlet's founder, Samuel Coles.

The cemetery has been used for burials since the 1700s and contains an estimated 8,700-plus interments, including notable figures such as U.S. Senator Alexander G. Cattell and Medal of Honor recipient George Robert Cholister. Its distinctive Italianate gatehouse, built in 1858 by architect Charles Wilson, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1975.

Today, Colestown operates as a nonprofit community cemetery and remains active. Because of its age and historic designation, families arranging a memorial here should confirm design requirements with the cemetery office before finalizing plans, particularly in older sections of the grounds.

Explore custom single upright headstones, a traditional choice for Colestown's older sections.

Locustwood Memorial Park

Locustwood Memorial Park, on Route 70 (Marlton Pike) in the Erlton-Ellisburg section of Cherry Hill, was established in 1903. It is a non-sectarian cemetery serving all faiths, with landscaped lawns, a chapel, and a reflection pond framed by four Doric columns that were originally part of an exhibit at the 1939 World's Fair in New York.

Locustwood offers a wide range of memorial options, including single and double depth burial sites, Estate Sections, Garden sections, sheltered mausoleum crypts, and columbarium niches for cremated remains. The cemetery also maintains a consecrated Jewish section and Garden of Jacob mausoleum for families of the Jewish faith, as well as a Veteran's Section and American Legion Section.

Because Locustwood offers several distinct sections with their own design guidelines — flat markers in some Garden areas, uprights in Estate sections, and faith-specific requirements in the Jewish section — families should confirm section-specific rules before finalizing a memorial design.

Explore Jewish monuments crafted in accordance with tradition, relevant for families using Locustwood's Jewish section.

Choosing a memorial for a Cherry Hill cemetery

Once you've identified the cemetery and gravesite, the next step is determining what type of memorial is appropriate.

Cemetery requirements can vary significantly between Colestown and Locustwood, so families should confirm applicable rules before approving a final design. Important considerations may include:

• Memorial dimensions

• Permitted monument types

• Granite specifications

• Foundation requirements

• Installation procedures

• Lettering and design restrictions

• Religious symbols and traditions

• Cemetery approval procedures

At Abby Rose Inc., we help families navigate these considerations when planning a headstone or monument for a Cherry Hill cemetery.

Types of memorials available for Cherry Hill cemeteries

Upright headstones

Single upright monuments are a traditional choice for individual gravesites, providing substantial space for names, dates, inscriptions, religious symbols, and personalized artwork. Explore custom single upright headstones.

Slant markers

Slant markers have an angled face that keeps inscriptions easy to read while maintaining a lower profile than an upright monument. See custom slant markers.

Flat markers

Flat or flush markers sit at ground level and provide a more understated memorial option, common in Locustwood's Garden and Estate sections. Explore flat marker designs.

Double and companion headstones

For spouses or family members sharing a gravesite, a double or companion monument can create a unified memorial while providing space for individual names, dates, inscriptions, and symbols.

Mausoleums and crypts

Locustwood Memorial Park offers sheltered mausoleum crypts, including its Garden of Jacob mausoleum for Jewish families. Abby Rose also designs custom mausoleums, including single crypt, family crypt, and walk-in styles. Explore custom mausoleums.

How cemetery requirements affect memorial design

A memorial should always be designed with the cemetery and gravesite in mind. A design appropriate for one cemetery may not meet the requirements of another — this is especially true when comparing a historic, nonprofit cemetery like Colestown to a large, multi-section memorial park like Locustwood, where requirements can even vary section by section within the same property.

Dimensions, foundation specifications, memorial type, material, and installation procedures can all influence the final design. Abby Rose Inc. helps families with memorial design, granite selection, engraving, cemetery coordination, delivery, and installation.

Choosing a memorial in Cherry Hill, NJ

Once you know where your loved one is buried, consider what you want the memorial to communicate:

• The gravesite: Available space may determine whether a single, double, slant, or flat memorial is appropriate.

• The cemetery: Always confirm cemetery requirements before approving the final design.

• The material: Granite is one of the most popular choices because of its durability and range of colors and finishes.

• The inscription: A memorial can include names, dates, epitaphs, religious passages, symbols, and other meaningful details.

• The style: Traditional, contemporary, religious, and highly personalized designs can all be considered depending on the cemetery and family's wishes.

You can learn more about granite options and memorial materials on our Granite Colors & Materials page.

Planning a headstone for a Cherry Hill cemetery

Choosing a cemetery and memorial can feel overwhelming, particularly when a family is making arrangements during a difficult time. Understanding the cemetery and its requirements from the beginning can make the process easier.

Whether your loved one is buried at historic Colestown Cemetery or at Locustwood Memorial Park, Abby Rose Inc. can help you explore appropriate memorial options and coordinate the process from design through installation.

If you are looking for a headstone, monument, or grave marker in Cherry Hill, start by exploring our Cherry Hill, NJ cemetery and memorial services. You can also read our guide to headstones in Cherry Hill, NJ for more information about memorial options available to local families.

Frequently asked questions

1. What cemeteries does Abby Rose serve in Cherry Hill, NJ? Abby Rose Inc. provides memorial services for families in the Cherry Hill area, including work associated with Colestown Cemetery and Locustwood Memorial Park.

2. What is Colestown Cemetery? Colestown Cemetery is a historic, nonprofit community cemetery that is the last remaining trace of Colestown, a hamlet founded by Quaker settlers in the late 1600s. Its gatehouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

3. Is Locustwood Memorial Park open to all faiths? Yes. Locustwood is a non-sectarian cemetery serving families of all faiths, and it also maintains a consecrated Jewish section for families of the Jewish faith.

4. Can I choose any headstone for a Cherry Hill cemetery? Not necessarily. Both Colestown and Locustwood have specific rules regarding memorial dimensions, materials, and design that can vary by section. Families should confirm the applicable requirements before ordering a memorial.

5. What type of memorial can I choose? Depending on the cemetery and gravesite, options may include upright headstones, companion monuments, slant markers, flat markers, Jewish monuments, and mausoleum crypts.

6. How do I start designing a memorial? The best starting point is to identify the cemetery and confirm its requirements. You can then work with a memorial specialist to select the appropriate memorial type, granite, dimensions, inscription, and design.

Create a meaningful memorial in Cherry Hill, NJ

Every cemetery has its own history, character, and requirements. Understanding those details before choosing a memorial can help ensure that the finished monument is appropriate for the gravesite and meaningful to your family.

From historic Colestown Cemetery to Locustwood Memorial Park, Abby Rose Inc. provides personalized memorial design and cemetery coordination for families throughout Cherry Hill and greater Camden County.

Explore our Cherry Hill cemetery services or contact Abby Rose Inc. to begin your memorial design.