Cemeteries in Springfield, PA: A Guide for Families

Springfield Township's cemetery landscape

Springfield Township was first settled by Quakers who arrived in Pennsylvania with William Penn, and the township was formally recognized in 1686 — making it one of the older communities in Delaware County. That history is reflected in its cemeteries, which range from a colonial-era Quaker burial ground to a mid-20th-century Catholic cemetery that is now the largest and most active in the county.

Among the cemeteries and burial grounds serving Springfield are SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Mt. Sharon Cemetery, and the historic Springfield Friends Burial Ground.

SS Peter & Paul Cemetery

SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, located on Sproul Road, is a Catholic cemetery established in 1958 under the Catholic Cemeteries of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia. It is the largest cemetery in Delaware County by acreage and one of the most active, with well-manicured gardens, mature landscaping, and a community mausoleum for families considering above-ground entombment.

Because of its size and the volume of families it serves, SS Peter & Paul has clear, parish-administered rules governing monument size, section-by-section design requirements, and foundation specifications. Families arranging a headstone here should confirm design details with the cemetery office before finalizing any memorial.

Explore custom mausoleum options, a common consideration for families at SS Peter & Paul.

Mt. Sharon Cemetery

Mt. Sharon Cemetery is a Jewish cemetery association located on East Springfield Road in Springfield Township. Established in 1922, the cemetery spans roughly 40 acres and serves as a resting place for tens of thousands of members of the local Jewish community.

Memorials at Mt. Sharon are typically designed in accordance with Jewish tradition and cemetery-specific guidelines, which can include specific requirements around monument style, inscriptions, and placement.

Explore Jewish monuments crafted in accordance with tradition.

Springfield Friends Burial Ground

The Springfield Friends Burial Ground is one of the most historically significant sites in the township. It is tied to the Springfield Friends Meetinghouse, where a Society of Friends (Quakers) was founded in 1686. The original meetinghouse was built in 1703, destroyed by fire in 1737, and rebuilt in stone the following year; that building served the congregation for over a century before being replaced in 1850–51 by the meetinghouse that still stands today.

Notably, the Springfield Friends Meeting counted the young Benjamin West — who would go on to become one of early America's most celebrated painters — among its attendees. The adjoining burial ground reflects this long history, with generations of local families interred on the grounds alongside the township's earliest Quaker settlers.

For families researching an older gravesite or planning a memorial connected to this historic site, it's especially important to consider the existing character of the burial ground and any applicable preservation requirements.

Other burial grounds near Springfield

Families researching Springfield-area gravesites may also encounter nearby burial grounds in neighboring Delaware County communities, including Catholic, Quaker, and non-sectarian cemeteries throughout the county. Because Springfield sits close to several other townships, it's not unusual for extended family members to be buried across more than one nearby cemetery.

Choosing a memorial for a Springfield 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 SS Peter & Paul, Mt. Sharon, and the Springfield Friends Burial Ground, 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 Springfield cemetery.

Types of memorials available for Springfield 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 lawn-style cemetery sections.

Family monuments

For multi-generational plots, a family monument can create a unified memorial while still providing space for individual names, dates, and inscriptions. Explore family monuments.

Mausoleums and crypts

SS Peter & Paul Cemetery offers a community mausoleum for families considering above-ground entombment. 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 large, parish-administered cemetery like SS Peter & Paul to a historic site like the Springfield Friends Burial Ground, where preservation considerations may apply.

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 Springfield, PA

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 Springfield 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 SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Mt. Sharon Cemetery, or connected to the historic Springfield Friends Burial Ground, 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 Springfield, start by exploring our Springfield, PA cemetery and memorial services. You can also read our guide to headstones in Springfield, PA for more information about memorial options available to local families.

Frequently asked questions

1. What cemeteries does Abby Rose serve in Springfield, PA? Abby Rose Inc. provides memorial services for families in the Springfield area, including work associated with SS Peter & Paul Cemetery, Mt. Sharon Cemetery, and other cemeteries throughout Delaware County.

2. What is the Springfield Friends Burial Ground? It is a historic Quaker burial ground tied to the Springfield Friends Meetinghouse, which traces back to a Society of Friends founded in the township in 1686.

3. Is SS Peter & Paul Cemetery still active? Yes. It is the largest cemetery in Delaware County by acreage and one of the most active, serving Catholic families throughout the region.

4. Can I choose any headstone for a Springfield cemetery? Not necessarily. Each cemetery — SS Peter & Paul, Mt. Sharon, and the Springfield Friends Burial Ground — can have specific rules regarding memorial dimensions, materials, and design. 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, family 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 Springfield, PA

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 the historic Springfield Friends Burial Ground to SS Peter & Paul and Mt. Sharon cemeteries, Abby Rose Inc. provides personalized memorial design and cemetery coordination for families throughout Springfield Township and greater Delaware County.

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