Cemeteries in Princeton, NJ: A Guide for Families

Cemeteries and historic burial grounds in Princeton

Princeton has one of the most historically significant cemetery landscapes in Mercer County, anchored by a graveyard nicknamed the "Westminster Abbey of the United States" for the number of notable Americans buried there. Among the cemeteries and burial grounds associated with Princeton are Princeton Cemetery and Trinity Church Cemetery, along with several other religious and family burial grounds throughout the area.

Princeton Cemetery

Princeton Cemetery is the most historically significant cemetery in the area.

Established in 1757 on land acquired by the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University) from Judge Thomas Leonard, the cemetery is owned and maintained by Nassau Presbyterian Church and spans nearly 19 acres near the center of town. Princeton Cemetery is the resting place of a U.S. president (Grover Cleveland), a U.S. vice president (Aaron Burr), a signer of the Declaration of Independence (John Witherspoon), and nearly every deceased president of Princeton University, in addition to thousands of local families.

The oldest section of the cemetery sits at the corner of Wiggins and Witherspoon streets, where some of the earliest European family names in the area are still legible on weathered stone. Newer sections of the cemetery, including the Pardee Memorial Garden, accommodate cremated remains in addition to traditional in-ground burial.

Today, Princeton Cemetery remains an active burial ground and is listed as a contributing property to the Princeton Historic District on the National Register of Historic Places. For families arranging a headstone or monument here, the memorial should be planned according to the specific requirements of the gravesite and the cemetery's own approval process.

Trinity Church Cemetery in Princeton, NJ

Trinity Church Cemetery has an important place in Princeton's religious history.

Located in the courtyard of Trinity Church at 33 Mercer Street, the Episcopal congregation was founded in 1833, with the present church building erected in 1870. Some burial plots on the grounds predate the church building itself.

Because Trinity Church Cemetery sits within a working churchyard rather than a large open cemetery, space and memorial styles are often more limited than at a larger property like Princeton Cemetery. Families researching a gravesite connected to Trinity Church should confirm current availability and requirements directly with the church office before finalizing memorial plans.

Other cemeteries and burial grounds serving Princeton families

Princeton Cemetery and Trinity Church Cemetery are only part of the town's broader cemetery landscape.

St. Paul's Parish Cemetery

St. Paul's Parish Cemetery is a Catholic burial ground serving Princeton's Catholic community, with burials dating back to around 1860. For families choosing a memorial for a Catholic cemetery, religious symbols, inscriptions, and traditional design elements can be incorporated into the monument.

Stony Brook Quaker Meeting House Burial Ground

The Stony Brook Meeting House Burial Ground reflects the simplicity of the area's early Quaker community, with modest headstones dating back to the 18th century set among the farmland just outside town. Families researching an older gravesite connected to the Society of Friends may encounter historic inscriptions and burial customs distinct from other cemeteries in the area.

Historic cemetery research in Princeton

Princeton's cemeteries can also be valuable sources of local and family history.

For families researching an older gravesite, historical cemetery records can sometimes provide useful information about:

• Family members

• Original burial locations

• Dates of interment

• Historic inscriptions

• Cemetery relocations

• Religious affiliations

• Existing monuments and grave markers

This can be particularly relevant when researching historic Princeton families whose graves date back many generations, including those connected to Princeton University and the town's earliest settlers.

Choosing a memorial for a Princeton cemetery

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

Cemetery requirements can vary, so families should confirm the applicable rules before approving a final design. Important considerations may include:

• Memorial dimensions

• Permitted monument types

• Granite or bronze specifications

• Foundation requirements

• Installation procedures

• Lettering and design restrictions

• Religious symbols

• Cemetery approval procedures

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

Types of memorials available for Princeton cemeteries

Different gravesites can accommodate different memorial styles.

Upright Headstones

Single upright monuments are a traditional choice for individual gravesites, common throughout Princeton Cemetery's older sections. They provide substantial space for names, dates, inscriptions, religious symbols, portraits, and personalized artwork. Explore custom single upright headstones.

Slant Markers

Slant markers have an angled face that makes 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 newer cemetery sections.

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

Some cemetery properties provide above-ground entombment through mausoleum crypts or private mausoleum structures. 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 that is appropriate for one cemetery may not meet the requirements of another.

Dimensions, foundation specifications, memorial type, material, and installation procedures can all influence the final design. This is particularly important when working with historic cemetery properties like Princeton Cemetery or Trinity Church Cemetery, where preservation considerations may also be relevant.

Abby Rose Inc. helps families with memorial design, granite selection, engraving, cemetery coordination, delivery, and installation.

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

Planning a headstone for a Princeton 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 Princeton Cemetery, connected to Trinity Church, or at another cemetery serving Princeton families, Abby Rose Inc. can help you explore appropriate memorial options and coordinate the process.

You can also read our guide to headstones in Princeton, NJ for more information about memorial options available to local families.

Frequently asked questions

1. What cemeteries does Abby Rose serve in Princeton? Abby Rose Inc. provides memorial services for families in the Princeton area, including work associated with cemeteries such as Princeton Cemetery and Trinity Church Cemetery, as well as other cemeteries throughout Mercer County.

2. Is Princeton Cemetery still active? Yes. Princeton Cemetery remains an active burial ground and continues to serve local families in addition to being a listed historic site.

3. Can I choose any headstone for a Princeton cemetery? Not necessarily. Cemeteries can have specific rules regarding memorial dimensions, materials, foundations, placement, and design. Families should confirm the applicable requirements before ordering a memorial.

4. What type of memorial can I choose? Depending on the cemetery and gravesite, options may include upright headstones, companion monuments, slant markers, flat markers, bronze memorials, mausoleums, and other customized memorials.

5. 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 Princeton, 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 Princeton Cemetery and Trinity Church Cemetery to other burial grounds throughout Mercer County, Abby Rose Inc. provides personalized memorial design and cemetery coordination for families throughout the Princeton area.

Contact Abby Rose Inc. to begin your memorial design.

Abby Rose Inc. — 602 U.S. Highway RT. 130, Yardville, NJ 08691 | (609) 585-2242 | info@abbyroseinc.com