Community Events

Enhance your loved one’s site with a beautiful bed of begonias. Our staff will maintain and water the begonias. Order here or contact our office through by calling 313/567-3453.  Limited quantity available.

January 14th 8:30 a.m., February 18th 8:30 a.m., March 19th 8:30 a.m., April 8th 8:30 a.m., May 14th 8:30 a.m., June 10th 8:30 a.m., July 1st 8:30 a.m., August 5th at 8:30 a.m., September 9th 8:30 a.m., October 14th 8:30 a.m., November 12th 9 a.m., December 9th 8:30 a.m.

Join Detroit Audubon Society for a birding event at Elmwood. We will walk the grounds to identify the species migrating through the cemetery. We will track the different species we see and discuss migration, habitat and the different birds. There will be plenty of opportunities for photographs and open discussion. We will gather in the chapel following the walk for refreshments. Sign up by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Park in the Church parking lot and meet at the cemetery Gatehouse. 

Experience Detroit's first certified arboretum through one of Elmwood's events:

Arbor Day Celebration. Join our grounds crew as we celebrate Arbor Day with children from local schools.  We will plant a tree and talk about trees' importance to our environment.  This event is in partnership with Greening of Detroit.

Tree Identification Class 
June 4th at noon
Please meet in the Cemetery Gatehouse and then we will walk through the grounds.  This guided class will be led by Todd Fleishans a master certified arborist who will explain methods used to identify trees.  

Tree Tour
October 7th 9:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.
This special tour couples our history tour with information about the majestic trees on the property provided by a certified arborist.  We will gather outside the gatehouse.

There is no charge for the class or tour but reservations are required by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..  Space is limited. When you make your email reservation, please provide your name, the date you wish to tour, and the number of participants.  Please park in the church parking lot and meet at the gatehouse..

Extended hours for grounds access beginning May 1 are through September 15, 7 a.m. – 7 p.m.

May 29th – Memorial Day 
Please stop outside the office and take a complementary carnation to adorn your loved one's grave.  Please only take one carnation per grave site. Supplies are limited. We hope our families will enjoy this meaningful sign of support and understanding.

April 15th 9 a.m., May 13th noon, June 10th noon, July 1st 9 a.m., August 5th 11 a.m., September 9th noon, October 7th noon.
Please park in the church parking lot and meet adjacent to the gatehouse. Elmwood's guided tours highlight Detroit notables in business, politics, reform as well as a discovery of Elmwood’s memorial art, symbolism, architecture and horticulture. It is a 2-hour walking tour and is free to the public.

A walk around the pond will be held on November 2 at 9 a.m. prior to the All Souls service in the chapel.

African American Heritage Tours are held on January 15th 9 a.m. and February 19th at noon.

Celebrate Juneteenth with Elmwood Cemetery.  Please join us for a 90-minute walking tour highlighting key people in Detroit's African American history and discussing memorial art and symbolism.  June 19th 9 a.m.

Advance reservations are required by emailing This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. When you make your email reservation, please provide your name, the date you wish to tour, and the number of participants.

Commemorate Patriots Day with Elmwood.  Join us at 9 a.m. for a walking tour and placement of flowers at our Civil War Lot in section S. Please contach This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. if you are interested in participating. 

Fall/Winter Hours begin. Grounds access from 8:30 – 4:00 daily.

Adorn your loved one’s grave with a wreath this winter. They are made from natural, freshly cut evergreen boughs decorated in seasonal colors. Wreaths are 18” in diameter with a beautiful all weather red bow and 5 pinecones, on a stand. Contact our office by calling 313/567-3453. Elmwood's grounds crew will place the wreath on your loved one's grave.

All are welcome to join the Elmwood community as Reverend Steven J. Kelly, Pastor of St. John’s Episcopal Church Detroit, leads a service to honor those who have passed away. A walking tour is available, beginning at 9:00 a.m. at no charge for those who are interested. 

The 39th annual public celebration will be held in partnership with Detroit Public Schools and the Detroit Historic Civil War Society.

Join us as we honor those currently serving and those who have served our country.  Special recognition is given to the members of the Civil War's USCT 102nd who was the first black troop to fight for the Union from Michigan.

Enter the grounds and follow the signage to the event and adjacent parking. Please contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for additional information.