Oakland Cemetery
Cemetery Hours:
7 a.m. - 9 p.m. Daily
Office Hours:
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Monday - Friday
Parks and Recreation Director:
Mike Moran
Spotlight Interview
This video features Cemetery Superintendent Bob Deatsch speaking about his responsibilities, about some of the City's Cemetery policies, and the about local participation in the 'Wreaths Across America' program honoring US veterans.
Lot Sales
Please call the office at (319) 356-5105 to schedule an appointment to discuss the purchase of a lot. Staff will have available suitable plats showing size, price and location of lots. After lot purchase, a deed will be mailed to lot owner by the City Clerk's office.
Other Deed Transactions
A Deed Transaction Form should be filled out to request any of the following transactions: Request for Duplicate Deed Copies; Transfers of Ownership; and Re-issuance of Revised Deeds. Please follow instructions on form for completion and mailing.
Columbarium
The Forestview Columbarium is a gleaming black granite wall located in the east end of Oakland Cemetery. It is lined with 352 niches for the interment of cremains, and the maximum size a cinerary urn may be is 9 inches high by 9 inches wide by 9.5 inches deep. Please refer to the "Fees" section to obtain fee information.
The Cherish Columbarium is our infant columbarium that is constructed of beautiful black granite capped with a stunning bronze sculpture of a mother cradling her infant. The structure has 64 niches - 32 (12"x12"x12") and 32 (12"x12"x16"). The pricing will vary depending on size, height on wall, and the side niche is facing. The structure is also located in the far east side of Oakland Cemetery.
Grave Decorations
Artificial wreaths, artificial flowers, and holiday decorations are welcome any time between November 15 to the end of February and for 4 days before and 5 days following Memorial Day. After that period, if not claimed, they will be removed from the site. Flags and emblems will be removed and stored, without responsibility for preservation, if still in place on the sixth day following Memorial Day.
Live flowers in plastic or paper mache containers are welcome, and may be used at all times. All wired flowers, glass jars and bottles, toys, metal containers and other objects that might create a mowing hazard will not be permitted during the mowing season and will be removed and discarded.
Annuals or perennials may be planted adjacent to the stone if tended by the lot owner. Permission for permanent plantings, such as evergreen or shrub plantings, must be obtained from the Cemetery staff.
Regulations
It is the desire of the City of Iowa City to make the Oakland Cemetery a quiet, beautiful place for the deceased and visitors. Peace and good order must prevail for the sacredness of the place to be maintained at all times. It is to this end that the following rules and regulations have been established. Please contact the cemetery office (319-356-5105) to obtain information on the regulations regarding monuments, interments and individual lot restrictions.
- Look and enjoy, but please don't touch the monuments.
- Rubbings or tracings of stones are not allowed due to the fragile nature of many of the stones.
- All dogs must be confined inside a vehicle (except for service animals)
Application for Oakland Cemetery Controlled Uses
If you and/or your organization wishes to hold an event in Oakland Cemetery other than funeral services, please fill out the attached form and submit two weeks before date of proposed event.