Why plan ahead?

Pre-need planning gives you control over the decisions that matter most — burial location, service type, memorial preferences — at a time when you can reflect calmly rather than in a moment of grief.

• Your final wishes are honored exactly as you intended
• Your family is relieved of difficult decisions under emotional pressure
• Costs may be fixed at today's rates through a pre-need trust arrangement
• Arrangements can be revisited or updated at any time

Burial options

Evergreen Cemetery offers traditional in-ground burial in a variety of sections, as well as above-ground entombment in our mausoleum. Our staff will walk you through available spaces, monument options, and ongoing care.

Cremation arrangements

Our on-site crematory provides direct cremation, cremation with memorial service, and pre-arranged cremation trusts. Cremated remains may be interred, placed in a columbarium niche, or returned to the family.

Pre-need trust & payment

New Jersey law requires that pre-need cemetery funds be held in trust, protecting your investment. We work with licensed trust companies to administer your arrangement. There is no obligation to purchase until you are ready.

Begin the conversation

Complete the form below and a member of our staff will be in touch at your convenience.

What to expect when you contact us

When a family reaches out at the time of loss, we assign a dedicated member of our staff who will guide you through each step. There are no forms to complete before speaking with someone — simply reach out and we will take it from there.

Burial services

We offer traditional in-ground burial, family estate lots, and veteran's sections. Our staff coordinates directly with funeral homes and will communicate all requirements clearly and without delay.

Cremation services

Our on-site crematory provides direct cremation for families who prefer simplicity, as well as cremation with full memorial services. Cremated remains may be interred in our cemetery, placed in a columbarium niche, or returned to the family in a sealed container.

Working with a funeral home

We coordinate with all licensed funeral directors in New Jersey and the surrounding region. If you already have a funeral home involved, we will work directly with them. If you need a referral, we are happy to provide recommendations.

Grief resources

We recognize that the practical decisions made at time of loss are only one part of what families face. Our Planning Guide includes a section on grief support resources available throughout Northern New Jersey and statewide.

How to submit a research request

Complete the form below with as much information as you have available. The more detail you can provide — full name, approximate dates, and any family connection — the more efficiently we can locate the record.

Turnaround and fees

Standard requests are processed within 10 business days. Requests requiring archival research in older ledgers may take up to 3–4 weeks. A documentation fee of $25 applies per record confirmed. No charge is assessed for records not found.

On-site research visits

Qualified researchers may arrange an appointment to review records in person. Please submit a request below to schedule a visit. Visitors are asked to bring a valid ID and describe their research interest in advance.

Related resources

• New Jersey State Archives (burial permits from 1878 onward)
• New Jersey Surrogate's Court (probate and estate records)
• Newark Public Library New Jersey Collection
• FamilySearch.org (index of many NJ cemetery records)

By car from Newark

From downtown Newark, take Route 22 West or Clinton Avenue west into Hillside. Turn right onto North Broad Street. The cemetery entrance is approximately 0.4 miles on the right. Ample parking is available inside the main gate.

By car from the Garden State Parkway

Take Exit 140 (Hillside/Union). Follow Stuyvesant Avenue south. Turn left onto North Broad Street. The cemetery is on your left after approximately half a mile.

By public transit

NJ Transit Bus Route 25 (Newark–Elizabeth) stops at North Broad Street and Maple Avenue, directly adjacent to the cemetery entrance. The route connects to Newark Penn Station and Elizabeth Station.

Parking

Parking is available inside the main gate at no charge. An accessible entrance and parking space is available on Maple Avenue. The main office is located immediately to the right upon entering the grounds.

Office location on grounds

The administrative office is in the red brick building at the entrance to your right as you enter. For interment services, a staff member will meet your party at the main gate and escort you to the appropriate section.

On the evening of March 23, 1853, a group of civic leaders gathered in the Borough of Elizabeth to form a rural cemetery association under an act of the New Jersey Legislature. Chaired by the attorney Francis Barber Chetwood and recorded by Secretary Josiah Q. Stearns, the meeting brought together William Brown, Richard T. Haines, Joseph Cox, Henry Higgins, Caleb J. Luster, Pulaski Jack, and others who shared a common vision — a park-like resting place that would offer solace to the living as much as dignity to the departed.

Twelve trustees were elected by ballot that evening to manage the new association: Richard T. Haines, William Brown, John L. Norris, Lewis W. Spaulds, John H. Ralston, Apollos M. Elmer, Isaac M. Ware, Frederick A. Phelps, William A. Loy, Chailey A. Higgins, Josiah Q. Stearns, and Francis B. Chetwood. They named the institution "The Evergreen Cemetery" and chose a site near the Township of Elizabeth in what was then Essex County. The articles of incorporation were formally recorded on March 26, 1853.

The founding came during the era of the rural cemetery movement, a landscape design philosophy inspired by Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and Laurel Hill in Philadelphia. The original grounds were laid out along the gently rolling terrain of what would become the township of Hillside, surrounded by farmland and within easy distance of Newark's rapidly growing immigrant communities. From its earliest decades, Evergreen served as a burial ground for families of diverse backgrounds — Irish, German, Italian, and Eastern European immigrants who built the towns and industries of northern New Jersey.

Francis Barber Chetwood, the association's first chairman, was a prominent Elizabeth attorney and the son of former mayor William Chetwood. He remained a guiding force in the cemetery's early development until his death in 1875. Chetwood himself was laid to rest at Evergreen — a testament to the faith the founders placed in the institution they created.

The landscape

The grounds of Evergreen Cemetery were designed to evoke a pastoral landscape — a garden of memory rather than a solemn field. Mature oaks, elms, and evergreen plantings give the grounds their character through every season. The maintenance staff maintains these plantings with particular care, recognizing that the appearance of the grounds reflects the respect we hold for those interred here.

Notable interments

Evergreen Cemetery is the final resting place of many who contributed to the civic, religious, commercial, and cultural life of northern New Jersey. While we do not maintain a formal registry of notable interments, families conducting research into local history are welcome to contact our genealogy office for assistance.

Records preservation

The original interment ledgers from 1853 onward are held on-site. A digitization effort begun in the early 2000s has converted a significant portion of these records to a searchable format. All records are available for research inquiry through our genealogy request process.

Working at Evergreen

Cemetery and crematory work is meaningful, varied, and deeply connected to the community. Our staff takes pride in maintaining a place of peace and dignity for families during some of their most important moments. We offer a respectful, professional work environment with opportunities to grow.

Position types

Grounds Maintenance

Responsible for the upkeep and appearance of the cemetery grounds, including mowing, landscaping, seasonal planting, tree care, leaf and debris removal, and snow clearing. Grounds workers also assist with opening and closing gravesites, setting grave markers, and preparing sections for interment services. This is physically active outdoor work year-round.

Crematory Operator

Operates and maintains the on-site cremation equipment in accordance with New Jersey state regulations. Duties include receiving remains, conducting the cremation process, processing cremated remains, and maintaining detailed logs. Requires attention to detail, mechanical aptitude, and a respectful, professional demeanor. State certification is required or must be obtained within the first year.

Office & Administrative Staff

Handles daily office operations including phone and email inquiries, scheduling of interment services, processing of burial and cremation paperwork, record-keeping, payment processing, and coordination with funeral directors. Strong communication skills and comfort working with families during sensitive times are essential.

Records & Genealogy Clerk

Assists with maintaining interment records dating back to 1853, processing genealogy research requests, updating digital records, and responding to families and researchers seeking historical burial information. Attention to detail and familiarity with office software are important.

Seasonal & Part-Time Help

During spring, summer, and fall we often bring on additional staff for grounds work, special cleanup projects, and other seasonal needs. These positions are ideal for students, retirees, or anyone looking for meaningful outdoor work on a flexible schedule.

Apply

If you are interested in joining our team, please complete the form below. We will keep your information on file and contact you when an appropriate opening is available.