This is a massive cemetery with so many stories to tell. I was here for over an hour, visiting the Haymarket Martyrs' Monument, the grave of Emma Goldman, the Druid Monument and the final resting place of radio story teller Paul Harvey. It is in excellent condition though a few of the lanes could use some repaving and yes, it's super annoying that the bridge is closed for repair because it's a heck of a drive to get to the other side of the river to see the rest of the cemetery. While I was here, I spotted a herd of 7 or 8 deer including a six-point buck. They're just chilling and I hope they stay here a while as it's safe for them. (Deer love the flowers people leave on graves. It's like candy to them.) If you're here to visit family or friends, I am sorry for your loss. If you're here being a tourist as I was, please be respectful of the folks who are visiting. This is an active cemetery that still has current interments. Yield to funeral processions. [Review 20625 overall - 172 in Illinois - 1606 of 2023.] read more

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Relatives are buried at this cemetery...But I tell ya, driving through the grounds can be extremely treacherous on your vehicle give the massive potholes and lack of cemented roadway. Not to mention when the ground is damp/wet, your car leaves the cemetery literally covered with mud at the bottom, tires, etc. It is hard to get out of your vehicle due to HUGE puddles of water. read more

This is an absolutely fascinating and beautiful cemetery. Yes, we all know how wonderful Graceland Cemetery is in the city, but as a cemetery and history buff, I prefer this diverse and less visited place. The current Forest Home Cemetery is actually a combination of two cemeteries, German Waldheim (1873) and Forest Home (1876). The Des Plaines River runs through the area, and there is a bridge that crosses it. There are many beautiful trees and you will often see deer roaming about. Aside from the picturesque grounds, what is so fascinating about this cemetery is that it non-sectarian. This resulted in an incredible mixed bag collection of graves and gravestones, representing different religions, ethnic groups, fraternal organizations and unions. Walk, or bike the grounds, and you will see final resting places of Roma (gypsies), Anarchists, Union leaders, victims of the St Valentine's Day Massacre, Druids, Odd Fellows, and Ernest Hemingway's relatives to name a few. I've been here several times, and each visit I discover something new. If your looking for a great way to spend an afternoon and are a fan of graveyards or history, I strongly suggest you stop by Forest Home Cemetery and do some exploring. read more

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I have given Forest Home Cemetery 1 star, only because there is no option for zero stars. We have family interred on the grounds (mother, grandparents, and great grandparents) and have been regular visitors to Forest Home over the past 30 plus years. Sadly, due to the extremely shabby upkeep of the cemetery landscaping, and lack of maintenance on the once roads, now dirt paths, through the grounds, the cemetery appears to have been abandoned. This is hardly the place it was when we had our mother interred many years ago. We will no longer be visiting Forest Home, as it has become a rather unpleasant place to visit. The maintenance of the cemetery has deteriorated steadily over the years, to the point that it is no longer a place of reverence. Rather it could be used as the set of horror movies, which is tragic given the historic significance of this establishment. read more

Tour for the month of October. Now, I have toured others cemetery's around the world, but this was an exceptionally nice one. You see, at each station of the tour, there is someone who is representing the dead. Meaning for example, at one part of the cemetery there is a famous Murderess of the early 1900's who is supposed to of killed all her suitors, foster children and even family members to collect insurance. Well the woman who was at the grave site represented that woman buried there and talked about how she was "falsely" accused of these murders and that when she died of a hanging but was unjustly accused. The whole scenario is quite interesting. It gives you a different perspective on graves and if this could go on in other cemeteries than wow, we are really going to learn alot more then many can imagine. The whole cemetery is really nice and holds Indian burial grounds, and the day I was there, on a new part of the cemetery called "La virgin de Guadalupe" section towards the South of the entrance, there was a Mexican Mariachi playing (loud band music) as a send off to a person who just passed away. Although I am not too keen on this, hey, it works for others. I just think that a cemetery should be peaceful and calm and not so much like a cantina (saloon). The mausoleums are wonderful and there is even one that is empty. (And I proved this by taking photos of the underground part of it). The story goes that the owner had it built for his family but after it was built, he never returned for it and to date it is empty. Very macabre but beautiful none the less. read more

Forest Home Cemetery - One of the entrances. - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

Our family had a wonderful experience with Forest Home Cemetery from the moment I placed the first phone call to arrange for a headstone for my Mom. Everyone I talked to there was very patient, helpful and understanding. We are very happy with the beautiful headstone that was purchased and installed. They made a special effort to have it placed in time for our visit from North Carolina and Wisconsin. We would highly recommend them to anyone in need of their services. read more

I went to visit my ancestors last Saturday and the grounds are in disrepair. The roads need paving and the grass was tall enough for deer to live out in the open. The office "punted" the issue to Brightside Landscaping, however, money was paid my people to Forest Home, who expect proper maintenance. My relatives have been their since 1972 and it's never looked this bad. DISHEARTENING!! read more

Forest Home Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Forest Park, Illinois

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This is my first time at this cemetery and I chose them to bury my father after calling numerous cemeteries, pricing for reasonable spaces and a distance not to far to accommodate our visiting . I was very pleased with the service and it was reasonable in price. The young lady I think her name was Alex helped my mother and I get things set up for my fathers burial. We visited the location( plot)he would be located to confirm it was okay. Though i must say it will be a little confusing finding the plot and exiting when by myself i will definitely have to use the map but I'm happy I chose this cemetery. It's beautiful, clean and don't seem overcrowded. read more

I always visit my family when I'm in town. The cemetery has always been beautifully kept up. I was appalled to see the condition of it. The grass hasn't been cut in I don't know how long and tall weeds everywhere. My family is buried in a spot that was supposed to be for ground level head stones, now there must be 100 newer Graves that are way above ground. We were told we couldn't have a raised headstone for my father because they wanted to keep that part of the cemetery lower maintenance. I get that. So what changed?? The entire cemetery looks like crap. The only good thing I can say was that the office people was very helpful and the gentleman working outside that helped me find the grave was great. I beg you to clean this beautiful place up. read more

This Cemetery has gone Down!!! Not only does the Cemetery floods the Grave site, the way to repair the roads is to throw Gravel and Rocks in the Road!! There is so much need for Security!! Loud music Drugs are on the Premises with Loud smells!! The Customer Service in the office is So unprofessional, and is not helpful with anything!!! The Staff is lazy and Rude!! This is Not where you would want your Love One's under this Management!! So Sad read more

This is a really cool cemetery and one of the most unique I've seen by far. Originally two separate cemeteries -Forest Home and German Walkheim - now merged into one, Forest Home Cemetery, is a public place created for a very specifiic purpose. Forest home is a final resting place for Native Americans, early settlers, evangelists, gypsies, labor activists, disaster victims, and noted leaders in the medicine, the arts, business, and transportation. I head here every October for the annual cemetery walk provided by the Oak Park Historical Society. I would definitely check it out if you want to learn more about the area. read more

An expansive cemetery that is bounded by 1st Ave. and DesPlaines on the west and east, and the Eisenhower and Roosevelt Rd. on the north and south, Forest Home is a fascinating place for those interested in local immigrant/ethnic history, architecture, and the history of the American labor movement. Most of the cemeteries established in the late 1800s, as Forest Home was, were restricted in regard to religion and/or ethnicity. Since Forest Home wasn't, it provided a resting place for immigrant groups from all over the Chicago area. Even a short walk through the monuments provides an interesting perspective on local immigration patterns dating back to the post-Fire era when the city experienced dramatic population growth. Because the cemetery was founded so long ago, architecture enthusiasts can find examples of the major American movements of the past century executed in the monuments and mausoleums. Visible from Des Plaines Ave. is what is, in many people's opinion, the only true monument to the Haymarket Martyrs, who are buried here. A bronze figure of Justice places a wreath on the head of a fallen worker while reaching to draw her sword. A plaque on the back of the monument commemorates the pardon given to the Martyrs' surviving comrades in the struggle for the eight-hour day. The memorial became such a sacred place to other members of the movements for workers' rights and social justice that many other prominent figures chose to be buried alongside the Martyrs, including Emma Goldman, Lucy Parsons, William Haywood, and Joe Hill, whose ashes were scattered here. read more

This is a horrible place. My mother was buried last year and Sarah quoted me a price last year but did not honor it this year when I came in to pay. Also my father was buried here over 10years ago and the cemetery lost the picture from his headstone. They wanted me to purchase another picture to replace the one the cemetery lost which I think is unfair. Sarah was horrible to deal with concerning the issue. I would not recommend this cemetery. Who knows how many other people they have ripped off. read more

I purchased a headstone for my mother, who passed 17 years ago, the young sales associate (I forgot her name), helped me customize something for my mom that was super nice and affordable. Only problem is that I wasn't called when it was placed and when I went to visit my mom's site I couldn't find the plot. When I called the front desk, the young lady was unable to instruct me on how the cemetery was laid out. read more

My son buried here. The staff is not polite, at times won't get up out of there seats to greet you. I paid for the foundation to be layed for his headstone, they placed on the wrong grave,I had to be the one to to point out where my son was layed to rest after going though all of that, they agreed with me. Never knew about any clean up 2 twice a year all my sons decoratings were trashed even the stuff I purchased from them. How could you charge for "loving son" decoration and have the clean up crew remove them. The grave sites with no headstones, the crew had respect for their belongings left all their decorations in place. Clean up should be for everyone how do you pick and choose who decorations to trash. Clean up should include repair of the road riding through the cemetery awful. read more