Walking tour: Greenwood Cemetery, presented by Forest Home Cemetery

From Milwaukee's business elite to everyday folks, meet some of our Jewish community members resting peacefully at Greenwood Cemetery, Forest Home's next-door neighbor.

You'll learn the history of Greenwood, what makes it different, and death and burial rituals of the Jewish faith.

This tour is on flat ground and is approximately one mile in length. Meet at Greenwood Cemetery, 2615 W Cleveland Ave, Milwaukee.

ABOUT YOUR GUIDE

Julia Brunson was born and raised on Milwaukee's East Side. Growing up in a Jewish family, she cultivated a love for both Jewish studies and historical research. Pairing the two, she went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in history, and has since worked and volunteered for the Jewish community in various capacities. Julia has several family members buried in Greenwood Cemetery and has attended many Jewish burials on the property.

Established in1872, Greenwood Cemetery is one of the oldest active Jewish cemeteries in the greater Milwaukee area. Greenwood began as a German-Jewish cemetery and by the mid 1920s other members of Milwaukee’s Jewish community chose to have their family burials at Greenwood.

Greenwood is an independent, non-traditional Jewish cemetery governed by a Board of Directors and is not affiliated with any particular synagogue.

Greenwood is a memorial ground where non-Jewish spouses and/or children are welcomed to be laid to rest alongside their Jewish spouse or parent, the owner of the plot.

Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum administers the 10-acre Greenwood Cemetery, managing the grounds, sales and burial services.

PLEASE READ

This 1-mile walking tour moves at a brisk pace over uneven cemetery roads and grounds. Please wear comfortable footwear and watch your step! Our tour guides have a lot to share but are on a tight timeline, so please try to stick together.

This tour will run rain or shine and will only be canceled in the event of a dangerous weather event. Tickets are non-refundable

Please arrive about 10 minutes before your tour. Meet at Greenwood Cemetery, 2615 W Cleveland Ave, Milwaukee.

After your tour, please take a moment to review us on TripAdvisor.

Proceeds from all tours and events help preserve and enhance the historical and natural elements of the cemetery.

ABOUT FOREST HOME CEMETERY & ARBORETUM

Established in 1850, Forest Home Cemetery is Milwaukee’s oldest operating cemetery, open to all since its inception. Forest Home Cemetery is on the National Registry of Historic Places and is the finest example of a Victorian-era rural garden cemetery in the Upper Midwest.

In 2021, Forest Home became the city’s first accredited arboretum, Milwaukee’s largest green space with more 2,600 trees on nearly 200 acres.

Our 189 acres are open daily to the public. Leashed dogs, jogging, strollers and bicycles are welcome. Each year, we host public and private historical and nature-based tours and wellness events, birding opportunities, Doors Open, a Memorial Day event, a Dia de los Muertos 5K and festival and our new Spirits of the Silent City after-dark historical tours. Sign up for our newsletter on the website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram (use #foresthomecemetery) so you don’t miss any of our tours and events!

If you enjoy our beautiful space, stay longer! Stop in the office Monday-Friday 8-4:30 and Saturday 10-3:30 or call a counselor (414) 645-2632 to find out about our many burial options.