The Cemetery Department is responsible for the delicate task of burying the deceased in a caring and timely manner. This Department is also responsible for the complete maintenance of Waterside Cemetery as well as Harbor View Cemetery. The Recreation and Parks Department maintains Old Burial Hill, Harris Street, Hooper Tomb and Green Street Cemeteries.
§ 13-11. Seasonal prohibition of dogs from certain areas
No person owning, harboring or having custody or control of a dog shall permit such dog to be on any public cemetery of the Town at any time throughout the year, nor shall such person permit such dog to be on any public beach, athletic area, playground or park of the Town between May 1 and October 1 of each year, provided, however, that this prohibition shall not apply to Chandler Hovey Park, Crocker Park, Fort Sewall, Fountain Park, Upper Seaside Park, Riverhead Beach or the Town designated Dog Park. Whoever violates the provisions of this section shall pay a fine in accordance with the following schedule: A. First offense in calendar year: $25. B. Second or subsequent offense within calendar year: $50.
Historic Cemeteries
- Green Street Cemetery at Green & Creesy Streets (formerly known as Elm Street Cemetery)
- Harris Street Cemetery on Harris Street
- Hathaway Tomb on Highland Terrace
- Hooper Tomb across from Harris Street Cemetery
- Old Burial Hill Cemetery on Pond Street:
- An Old Burial Hill Oversight Committee was established in 2009 by the Select Board to oversee and ensure the restoration of Old Burial Hill. The Committee’s work is guided by a detailed preservation master plan, which was developed for Old Burial Hill and funded by a grant from the Massachusetts Historic Commission and Town funds.
- This Committee does not oversee the daily operations. They cannot address typical questions regarding Old Burial Hill. Please email cemetery@marblehead.org.
Active Cemeteries
- Waterside Cemetery
- Harbor View Cemetery
Other Cemeteries
There are three additional cemeteries in Marblehead that are not under the Marblehead Cemetery Department.
St. Michaels Episcopal Cemetery at 26 Pleasant Street
Mugford Street Cemetery associated with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead
Star of the Sea Cemetery at 352 Lafayette Street, operated by the Catholic Cemetery Association
What kind of decorations can I have?
Permission must be obtained directly from the plot owner. Keeping decoration fresh, clean and attractive shows respect for the deceased as well as the survivors. As stated in our current Rules and Regulations, the following applies:
- No bushes, trees, shrubs, hosta like plants, vegetable plants
- No mulch, stones, shell, etc.
- No borders of any material
- No beds larger than one foot directly in front of upright memorial
- No planting or placing objects behind or to sides of upright memorial
- No planting at flat markers
- No artificial flowers, statues, toys, solar lights, vigil lights, wind chimes, Shepard’s hooks, glass items etc.
- No pumpkins or similar items permitted
Can plot owners plant flowers on the burial plot
Plot owners are allowed to plant a small garden that extends out one foot directly in front of the upright stone only. In-ground plantings are NOT allowed at any flat markers. Click here for additional rules and regulations.
How do I plan a service without using a funeral home?
The Cemetery Department strongly recommends contacting a funeral home for assistance. We do not coordinate or plan services. If a funeral home is not used, all arrangements and details normally handled by the funeral home are assumed by the family.
How can I purchase a burial plot in Marblehead?
You may contact the Cemetery Office for information. Niches in the chapel and burial plots at Waterside are available to any Marblehead resident taxpayer, with the ownership being non-transferable.
Does the Cemetery accept donations?
The Cemetery Department welcomes donations to the Eternal Flame Fund. All donations will be used for the restoration of the Pool and Flame where Memorial Day ceremonies are held.
How do I purchase a memorial or a marker?
Contact a local memorial dealer. All memorials and markers require a cement foundation. Upon contacting a dealer, the lot owner will be required to sign a foundation order and will be quoted a fee that comes to the Cemetery Department for a foundation. The dealer will forward both to this Department for processing.
Can I sell my unused lot?
No, but you have the option of turning an unused lot back into the Town of Marblehead for the exact purchase price. Contact the Cemetery office for details.
Can I place a bench in the Cemetery?
New benches are no longer allowed in Marblehead Cemeteries. Benches should not be ordered or purchased. Please do not assume that a bench will be allowed.
Burial Plots & Chapel
Burial plots are available at Waterside Cemetery and niches in the Chapel to any Marblehead resident taxpayer, ownership being non-transferable.
The Cemetery Department adopted a set of Rules and Regulations in 1945 which has been periodically updated. All changes are carefully thought through by the Cemetery Board of Commissioners. Rules are in place, not only for your safety, but to keep our cemetery in a condition that is respectful and comforting to everyone. A description of these rules is also available from the Waterside Cemetery office which is open from 7:30 am to 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday.
The department may be of assistance in tracing family ancestry through cemetery records. The department has an inventory taken in 1873 of the gravestones with inscriptions. This inventory was done by Perly Derby of Salem for the Old Burial Hill, Green Street, and Mugford Street cemeteries.
The Town Clerk’s Office has birth and death records of those who were born and died in Marblehead. They can do additional research for you.
The Marblehead Room in the Abbot Public Library holds materials relating to the Town’s history, institutions, organizations, and town government. Included are histories, maps, a Marblehead newspaper clipping file, works of Marblehead authors, yearbooks, and genealogies.
Old Burial Hill Cemetery is one of the most picturesque graveyards in New England. It affords a view of Old Marblehead, the harbor, and the sea. Established in 1638 at the site of Marblehead’s first meeting house, it’s the burial site of an estimated 600 Revolutionary soldiers, although only a few of those graves are marked.
The Star of the Sea Cemetery at 352 Lafayette Street (Route 114) is an active cemetery operated by the Catholic Cemetery Association, which is part of the Archdiocese of Boston, Inc. The Catholic Cemetery Association’s website has information about their cemeteries and an online form to request research.
The Mugford Street Cemetery is associated with the Unitarian Universalist Church of Marblehead on Mugford Street and is not active. Visit the Cemetery Department to learn more about the Mugford Street gravestone inscriptions.
You can obtain a death certificate if the death occurred in Marblehead or the decedent was a resident at the time of death. A certified copy of a death certificate may be obtained in person or by mail; the cost is $10.00 per copy. All death certificates are public records. Visit the Massachusetts State Website to obtain certificates not available through the Town.
In-Person
Pick-up at our office: Please call us at (781) 631-0528 to order certificates in advance of your visit. Certificates can also be prepared on a walk-in basis while you wait. Cash and checks are accepted forms of payment. Our office is located at 188 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945.
By Mail
Apply by mail: Send a request stating the name and date of death on the certificate you are seeking. Include a check or money order for $10.00 per certified copy, payable to “Town of Marblehead” and a self-addressed, stamped envelope. Mail your request to Town Clerk, 188 Washington St, Marblehead, MA 01945.
Online
The Town of Marblehead is pleased to enable residents to order and pay for death certificates online. Residents using this online payment feature can be assured that their bank account information and the payments are encrypted and securely processed.
The online payment processing is provided by an outside company, City Hall Systems. A small fee per transaction is charged for using the online payment option. If you experience difficulties paying your bill online, please call City Hall Systems at (508) 381-5455 and they will assist you.
Access Marblehead’s Online Death Certificate payment feature.
The Town of Marblehead now offers an online payment option for burial permits. The online payment processing is provided by an outside company, City Hall Systems. A small fee per transaction is charged for using the online payment option. If you experience difficulties paying your bill online, please call City Hall Systems at (508) 381-5455 and they will assist you.
Access Marblehead’s Online Burial Permit payment feature.