Historical Walking Tours

Cemetery Etiquette

Cemeteries are sacred places where the dead are laid to rest with dignity; therefore, visitors are expected to behave respectfully. Use the following as a guide when visiting any of our cemeteries.

• Hamilton Municipal Cemeteries are open to visitors between 8:00am and sundown.  Our cemeteries are closed after dark. Please Observe all posted rules.
• Keep noise to a minimum.  Most people that you will encounter on cemetery grounds are mourning the death of a loved one. If you see a funeral or other service in progress, please be respectful and give them their space
• Whenever possible, stay on the roadway. Be aware of your surroundings and watch for vehicles. To the best of your ability, avoid walking on the graves.
• Pets must be leashed and accompanied by the owner. Keep your pet under control and clean up after it. Do not allow your pet to roam over graves; rather, keep on the roadway.
• Do not litter. This includes cigarette butts. Take away any trash that you bring with you or deposit in the garbage receptacles placed on the grounds.
• Do not interfere with the plants or wildlife that inhabits the cemetery. Do not pick or damage flowers on cemetery grounds or adorning a grave.  It is greatly upsetting for families to visit the grave and find flowers picked up or damaged.
• Do not touch or climb on monuments, as many of them are very old. Do not take rubbings of any monument without getting permission from the Hamilton Municipal Cemeteries to do so. Many stones are fragile and should not be touched.

Cemeteries are wonderful park like settings. Enjoy a casual walk, enjoy the natural beauty of the plants, trees and landscape and explore the history.