It seems crazy to review a cemetery but honestly it is a must visit. There is a lot of history here. James A Garfield tomb and the Wade Chapel are incredible. So much detail and there are volunteers in both locations to share the history. While youre there take the time to walk around. The grounds are beautiful and there are some amazing headstones to see. read more

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"Lake View Cemetery" is an amazing part of Cleveland's history and future. I've heard people are just dieing to get in there. (Enough dad jokes) It is no coincidence that it sits right next to "Little Italy". Neither one would exist without the other. All the stone cutters, masons and sculptures that created most of the fabulous mausoleums, crypts and works of art that highlight the cemetery were brought here from the old country and settled there to do their work. Having been born and raised on the south side of Cleveland I have driven and strolled through the pathways of this mesmerizing place more times than I can count. My family came here in every season. My grandparents, parents, siblings, children and grandchildren have all done the same. "Lake View" is much more than just a cemetery. It is far more like a park. A park filled with beautiful landscaping and art. Just about every important industrialists, politician, philanthropist, business men and women of every ilk from many generations is there. President Garfield's monument is both beautiful and imposing. The chapel of Jeptha Wade is amazingly beautiful inside and out at the edge of the lake. The tallest obelisk in the cemetery belongs to John D. Rockefeller. And everyone knows who Eliot Ness is. And the list goes on and on. The groundskeeping, landscaping, gardens, trees, flowers... everything is gorgeous. It really is a wonderful park. You can and should spend some time there. Take friends and family. It really is amazing. read more

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A very beautiful, large cemetery. The monuments/statues are simply amazing. President Garfield's memorial is here as well, which is huge. The mausoleums are gorgeous. A lot of people were walking/running through here. Very peaceful. You can very easily get lost here. read more

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Fantastic piece of history here. Not to mention beautiful monuments and pretty landscaping. The landscaper was the same man who landscaped Spring Grove cemetery in Cincinnati. James Garfield and John Rockefeller are two notables buried here. The volunteers at Wade chapel and the Garfield mausoleum were passionate about the history and very friendly. read more

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Green and gorgeous. Not just an active cemetery but also a pocket full of Cleveland history. They offer so many programs from WHO's Who Mausoleum tours to the annual wreath laying at Grant's Tomb to Christmas music in Wade Chapel. Check them out online. The grounds are beautiful to walk or run through. We attended a sunset tour that highlighted local tragedies like the fire at Cleveland Clinic and another at Collinwood school. We learned about the true history behind Cleveland's East gs West rivalry and heard some notes about Eliot Ness and the Torso Murders. Tour guides pointed out various types of trees and shrubs along the 1 1/2 hour walking tour. They had granola bars to offer us for a snack as well as many local spooky tales for the season. read more

Lake View Cemetery - Mayor Willey holds the key to Cleveland's East/West rivalry - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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This is an amazing place to visit. I went to see the James Garfield memorial. That alone is worth the trip. Multi-levels and a great historical experience for a President that was taken far too soon. The staff is very helpful and will gladly help you find the notable, well... graves, to see. Some noteworth ones: - James Garfield: 20th President - Elliot Ness: Leader of "The Untouchables". - Alan Freed: The man who coined the term "Rock & Roll" - The "Haserot Angel" : A unique grave marker that appears to be a crying angel dy to the way it has oxidized. It has been featured in many Goth publications and album covers. - John D. Rockefeller: Millionaire, Philanthropist and founder of Standard Oil. - And many more read more

We came at the PERFECT time to see the Daffodils in peak bloom... Gorgeous!!! The humorous signs kindly remind everyone to not only see and smell the beauty, but to respect it and stay on the paths instead of trampling the flowers - and we were so happy to see that pretty much everyone acted so nicely and followed the signs! I absolutely love daffodils, and this was a romantic gesture on my husband's part that has won him so many points!!! We will be back next year!!! read more

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Never in my wildest imagination did I think I'd be writing a review of a cemetery and recommending visiting one, but here it is. Lake View Cemetery is on vast, expansive grounds with beautiful greenery and views overlooking Lake Erie. Visiting in the fall when the colors change is ideal. The cemetery is the final resting place of many famous Ohioans including president James Garfield, John D. Rockefeller, Elliot Ness - best known for helping to take down Al Capone, Alan Freed - the disc jockey who coined the term "rock and roll," Garrett Morgan - inventor of the traffic signal, Carl Stokes - the first black American mayor of a major US city, and many other historically significant figures including Civil War generals and Revolutionary War soldiers. The grounds are large and can be challenging to navigate. So, to take advantage of all they have, Lake View Cemetery offers guided tours that provide insights into the history, art, and architecture of the cemetery. read more

What a way to honor loved ones Looking at reviews of things to do in Ohio, many reported that this is a cemetery that you should not miss when visiting Cleveland. And my goodness, everyone who posted reviews were absolutely right. I never thought that I would review a cemetery because when I think of cemeteries, I associate it with the final resting place for our loved ones or think of our own mortality or associate it in many cases with grieving, loss and sadness of those who we miss that have passed on. Lake view displays how loved ones are honored or have chosen to honor themselves or their families in so many very unique and unforgettably grande ways. So much personality is displayed here. It is so peaceful and we were in awe. Stunning and eerily beautiful. Takes your breathe away. read more

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Tony and I was in the Cleveland Ohio area and we just had to stop at this gorgeous cemetery This was his first trip and about my 5th I love the beautiful park feel and the statues I always feel so relaxed and comfortable there read more

Lake View Cemetery is a must visit for anyone in Cleveland interested in history, art, architecture, an interesting hike or just somewhere different to visit. I usually get there once every year or so, usually during the fall. Located between Little Italy and Coventry Lake View is an amazing place. The cemetery is very large with rolling hills, graves and memorials covering several hundred years and some of the most surprising things you will see in a cemetery. First there is the history. At the top near the Mayfield gate is the President Garfield Tomb. A large gothic looking building with the resting place in the bottom and an outdoor balcony that has a great view of University Circle and Downtown. Overall a must visit for anyone who loves Presidential history. There are also a number of historically significant graves throughout Lake View including Alan Free, Elliot Ness (who was the Cleveland Safety Director), Al Lerner and John D. Rockefeller. For those looking for architecture or art there are memorials from classical to modern, small to large. I would highly recommend visiting the chapel located near the Euclid Ave. entrance. The chapel has amazing Tiffany Glass mosaics. You will find everything from decaying crypts to classic Greek style buildings. There are statutes of all kinds, including full sized statutes of a horse, a lion and an elk. There are even some unusual places in the cemetery. There is a fairly large dam that is set up for flood control, that was used for a scene in Captain America; Civil War. Alan Freed's tombstone is shaped like a full sized Jukebox. In my most recent visit I found a modern looking steel and stone table and seats with the inscription "In Loving Memory of Myself" and nothing else. Because of the rolling hills and the various sections of the cemetery you can manage to have a nice 2-3 mile hike or walk. Lake View is one of the most interesting and scenic cemeteries I have seen. read more

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Nice place for a walk or run. A few moderate hills. Many historical graves and markers. Weeping angel us righteously creepy. read more

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Really cool cemetery with Awesome plots , tombs, graves and sceneries. Lots of famous grave markers. We didn't get to go In the presidents grave as it is shut down between November snd January. We did get to see the angel of death which was cool and creepy. read more

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This place is beyond beautiful! The grounds are kept so pristine, a garden like setting of ornamental variety of trees, plants, and stunning memorial stones. It was comfortable being here despite what it is visited for. read more

Always a great place to view the artwork on the stones, have some quiet time, and see the names of Cleveland's industrialists of the late1800s, early 1900s, and modern names of musicians, ball players, and so many others. In April, Daffodil Hill is popular. The hill is covered with thousands of yellow flowers. Call the office to get a map, and drive or walk around. read more

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If you're into historically famous people from Ohio, this is a great place to visit their resting places, monuments, and memorials. The main one to visit is Garfield's memorial. I was too terrified to go to the basement where he's kept, but the main floor inside is beautiful with a nice dome and lighting above his statue. I also enjoyed the artwork on the outside of the building showing his story and the story of his death. Some other notable, nationally-known people buried here are the Rockefellers, Eliot Ness, and Harvey Pekar. The Rockefellers' is mainly just a tall obelisk. Nothing that special for a tourist attraction, unless you have some ties to the family. Wade Memorial Chapel is also an important site to visit to view the Tiffany Studios glass windows. read more

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Love this gorgeous cemetery. It feels calm and there are so many amazing things to see. I've heard people are dying to get in. Yuk yuk read more

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I see dead people. Great place for a "hike" and a bit of history. You can kill an afternoon here and meet your daily step goal. Spectacular durring autumn. read more

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This is an awesome place that we visited while we were in Cleveland it has a lot of famous people buried here a lot of awesome looking gravestones and sites and we took pictures of the Skrein black eyed lady statue that was pretty creepy might hunters later not sure yet but it was an awesome experience and great place to visit check it out for sure read more

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I was really excited to check this cemetery out (I feel weird saying that) and it was really awesome! It is a huge, beautifully landscaped space with tons of gorgeous tombstones and mausoleums. My husband was really looking forward to seeing President Garfield's memorial and I, the Haserot Angel. We went on a nice Saturday and there were a lot of people there. We walked around taking pictures and exploring for probably an hour and a half and didn't even see half of it. I've heard that the spring is an awesome time to visit as there are tons of daffodils that bloom into a sea of yellow. I look for to visiting more in the future to explore the other sections of the cemetery. read more

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It seems a little weird to write a review for a cemetery but this is a must see in Cleveland. You can really spend a whole day here. The large ornate gates at the entrances are amazing. Make sure to pick up a map at the office. The map is extremely helpful with finding some of the more famous monuments and gravesites. There are so many ornate headstones, statues, and monuments. Garfield's monument and the Wade chapel are must sees while here. We did not go into the Garfield monument due to the wait, but the outside of it is absolutely amazing. We did go into the Wade chapel which was beautiful. read more

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I visit lots of cemeteries and this is absolutely one of the best I have ever been to. First off, the nature here is wonderful. There are tons of trees and greenery to enjoy and keep you cool even on hot days. The cemetery is easy to find and easy to drive around in. There are so many beautiful old gravestones here you could spend many hours wandering around. There are also some famous people buried here as well as a wonderfully beautiful and creepy angel statue that is supposed to be haunted. This is a must visit if you are in the Cleveland area. read more

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I stumbled upon this cemetery while trying to find the Haserot Angel statue. The cemetery is pretty sizable, and mostly suitable for driving instead of walking. If you insist of walking like I did, then you can find parking outside the cemetery pretty easily since the area is fairly empty. I found the Garfield Memorial easily, and was amazed of the square, yet opulent tomb dedicated to our past president. If you are in need of a break, then there's a nearby pond where geese enjoy hanging out at during late summer. The pond is serene, and you'll most likely be tricked by the fake swan near the center of the pond. Despite my praise for the Lake View Cemetary, I wouldn't be caught here at night. Ample lighting is practically nonexistent thanks to all the trees. read more

Lake View Cemetery - Canadian geese relaxing near the pond! - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

I can't recall ever reviewing a cemetery before, so that tells you something. The five star review tells you something as well. This place is at the top of the Trip Advisor recommended spots for a reason. Located east of the city, you'll find a number of recognizable names in the place, including a giant of the industrial age, surrounded by his family, and a former US president. The headstones and monuments wind up the hill in a park-like setting, and sunlight dapples through the leaves of the tall and stately trees. We drove up the curving road to find both the mausoleum of James A. Garfield, before seeking out the obelisk of John D. Rockefeller. From the top of the hill, Lake Erie is visible in the distance, and on a clear day the blue of the lake reflects the blue of the sky, making it seem like one can literally see from here to eternity while in the cemetery. Whether you're a history buff or just looking to discover a new and interesting place, make sure that Lake View Cemetery is on your list of places to see while in the CLE! read more

Like most people on here, I feel a tad "off" writing a review for a cemetery. However, as you can see from the reviews on here, this is really something unique to do when in Cleveland. I actually grew up in a suburb of CLE and have many fond memories of coming here on Field Trips. We would go to see Garfield's tomb and we also had a project where we had to find a random headstone and write a "story" about that person, what they would have experienced in life, etc. I've been to other cemeteries in the country, (NYC, Boston, Baltimore), but Lake View is very unique in that not only does it have some historic names (President Garfield, John D. Rockefeller, Eliot Ness), but the headstones are incredibly gorgeous. Many of them contain ornate sculptures of angels, Jesus, Mary, etc. It's like wandering through an art museum seeing how magnificent some of them are...and that they haven't changed or moved or anything in over 100 years! A fan favorite (again...feels weird saying that about a cemetery) is the Haserot Angel or "Weeping Angel." It is located at the grave of Francis Haserot, who was a canning entrepreneur that lived in Cleveland. Ironically, the sculptor himself is also buried here at Lake View. The sculpture is stunning in part because over time the bronze has worn away in an intricate way that makes the angel look as if she is crying black tears. Very eerie but beautiful at the same time. Overall, I'm sure anyone could get lost in this cemetery and just spend hours gazing at these beautiful pieces of artwork. Definitely something to add to anyone's list while in CLE. read more

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Interesting cemetery, great Road, well-maintained. If you need to come here for a run, a relaxing day off, or a read in what seems like very calm and quiet neighborhood park. This would be the place to go. Seems a lot of respect is given to the monuments and the sites read more

Lake View Cemetery has such beautiful peaceful grounds for you to visit and wander about. I don't have any family buried here, but I do think it's still an great place to check out for anyone interested in Cleveland history (Garfield Monument, Haserot Angel, Eliot Ness, John D. Rockefeller), or just looking for a nice walk (have you been down the wooded trail by the little creek?). And I've walked here in both summer and winter months! April is a busy time with Daffodil Hill in full bloom, but it is very pretty to see. There are also good views of Downtown Cleveland if the sky is clear. Highly recommend you go! read more

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This is one of the Most Beautiful cemeteries in the midwest. It is large and there are lots of hidden areas to discover. People walk here Autumn is the Best time to visit read more

This is going to sound weird, but our friend who lives in Cleveland took us here for a walk and enjoy the fall leaves. Honestly, it was one of my favorite walks I've ever taken. The rolling hills, fall leaves, and nature around was beautiful. It is the home of President Garfield's memorial, which was closed when we went, but we were able to see the building. All the gravestones are beautiful and has so much history. If I lived and died in Cleveland, this is definitely the place to Rest In Peace. read more

The cemetery may seem like a strange place to review or even a strange place to visit but this is such a beautiful cemetery and there is so much history here you need to see it for yourself. If you have the maps app on your iPhone it will help you find the big monuments easily (Garfield Memorial, Haserot Angel, etc). I was surprised at how busy it was on a Sunday afternoon so many people walking, jogging and walking their dogs. It is such a beautiful, serene place with so many beautiful monuments. If you are looking for something to do (especially free! You can't beat the price!) on a nice day take yourself or even your family here and explore the beautiful grounds of Lakeview Cemetery but don't forget to be respectful. There are a lot of famous people buried there like Garrett Morgan (Inventor, including the Tri-color Traffic light and a Gas mask!), Henry A. Sherwin (Founder of The Sherwin-Williams Company), Ray Chapman (Shortstop for the Cleveland Indians. The only Major League Baseball player to have died from an injury received at a major league baseball game after being struck in the head by a pitch), Eliot Ness (Public Safety Director for Cleveland, 1935-1942, helped bring down Al Capone in Chicago) and many many more. read more

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Being from out-of-state I had little time, but I will return to spend more time to photograph. The topography is amazing, the maintenance is quite good and it's simple to navigate. I'd like to see trees trimmed a bit for the sake of photography, but the explosion of spring is certainly tough to keep up with. read more

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As beautiful and well kept as this historic place is, and one that I find so interesting it's not a place I would ever want to experience for eternity. I find the world to dynamic for that. I came here with nothing and I don't want to own any piece of property forever so there's no need to memorialize my existence. I hope the life I live in this moment in time is enough for those I love. I want to be everywhere now and forever because that's who I am. So five stars for this place that allows me to reflect on where I am today as a person and express myself for the future. Just a few more words then I'll move on: A beautiful peaceful place Surrounded by walls and gates Winding roads and trails Covered with leafs and filled with tales Granite stones above the ground With names and dates engraved One tells of when one was born The other marks the passing on As great as a place this is I don't want to be laid here To be bound and confined by earth There's no need to waste the dirt Scatter me amongst the seas There's no need to remember me for centuries I want to continue to travel the world So grant me this as my farewell :-) read more

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Very impressive. Huge, sprawling grounds with famous "residents."

Before I arrived in Cleveland, I had marked Lake View Cemetery as one of the places I wanted to visit. I wondered why a cemetery made the "must see" list. The cemetery is huge. Driving around, there's so much to look at. I didn't even see the dam until I had been there for an hour. While I was looking for the Haserot Angel, I came across the James A. Garfield Memorial. I'll review that separately but wanted to point out that there are maps inside the memorial for purchase. I didn't buy one and consequently, ended up wandering around aimlessly on the grounds by car and foot. If I could do one thing over, it would be to buy the $5 map that has descriptions of points of interest and a more detailed map. The stone work is beautiful and timeless! The crypts range in sizes but my favorites were the smaller ones in shady areas. It took awhile to find the Haserot Angel but it was a powerful experience. The pose of the statue imparts different feelings for each person. Majestic. Protective. Regal. Eerie. Creepy. All those things and more! When I visited, there were no blooms on the trees but I think visiting any time of year would have a different feel. I wish it were foggy because that would have added to the overall vibe. I tried to get my friend (who I'm visiting) to take me there at night but alas, she's kinda scared. In here defense, we were there on Friday the 13th, so I kinda get that. Although I don't have any plans to return to Cleveland soon, I would come back here for every visit. The grounds are so expansive - there's plenty to see! read more

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Death. The great equalizer. The worst part of life. There is serenity and peace at this cemetery. The lucky individuals buried here need not worry about Donald Trump or the earth ending. They all have earned their stripes and bravely crossed onto the other side. My favorite musicians can describe death better than I ever could. Sometimes I don't know where This dirty road is taking me Sometimes I can't even see the reason why I guess I keep a-gamblin' Lots of booze and lots of ramblin' It's easier than just waitin' around to die -Townes Van Zandt I see death around the corner, gotta stay high while I survive In the city where the skinny ****** die If they bury me, bury me as a G *****, no need to worry I expect retaliation in a hurry I see death around the- corner, any day Trying to keep it together, no one lives forever anyway Strugglin and strivin, my destiny's to die Keep my finger on the trigger, no mercy in my eyes In a ball of confusion, I think about my daddy Madder than a mother******, they never shoulda had me -2Pac Funny how people look at life - can take this **** for granted, right? But then reality strikes, and changes things overnight I thank the Lord for watching over me, though I'm prone to doin wrong I repent religiously, hoping that the weak get strong When the heat gets on ​ Hoping that the weak get strong, when the heat get's on Ya know... it's three different... stages of life... Either, you're headed into a storm... ya in a storm... Or ya just got out of a storm... yeah think about it... -Brad Jordan aka Scarface read more

Lake View Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Who would have thought that a cemetery is a must see on a trip! I loved Lake View Cemetery and wish I would of had more time. It's HUGE, peaceful, beautiful, sacred, so many things! The tombstones are simply gorgeous, intricate, detailed. The trees droop, the light is just perfect, it's such a gorgeous place. There are also quite a few things to see but I'd recommend finding a map. It's not easy to navigate. This place is FULL of history and very close to Little Italy. There are many notable people buried here, including John D. Rockefeller. The "richest man in the world" at the turn of the 20th century began his business career in Cleveland and made his fortune by founding the Standard Oil Company, based in the city. There is also a monument in honor of Eliot Ness, an American Prohibition agent, famous for his efforts to enforce Prohibition in Chicago, Illinois, and the leader of a legendary team of law enforcement agents nicknamed The Untouchables. He is best known for his pursuit and eventual indictment of 1930s gangster, Al Capone. Wade Memorial Chapel is a BEAUTIFUL chapel was built in 1901 and is the location of over 104,000 burials. The chapel was constructed in honor of Jeptha Wade, a Cleveland industrialist, founder of The Western Union Telegraph Company and who was the president of the cemetery association that founded Lake View Cemetery. Its interior, which is largely decorated with glass, was designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany. I got there just in time to hear the tale end of the presentation. The building closes at 4 I think. I'd plan around it and make sure you get there. The woman explained so much about the murals on the wall, the window, it was very interesting and full of symbolism. There is parking by the chapel. It is one of the few interiors left in the world that was totally designed by Louis Comfort Tiffany and his studios. The four-ton bronze doors open into a glorious interior with the theme, "The Voyage of Life." Wade Chapel's interior is illuminated by the awe-inspiring stained glass window, The Flight of Souls, by which the consummation of the Divine Promise is depicted. Created in Tiffany's signature "Favrile" method, where opalescent, iridescent, and translucent pieces of glass are layered to create rich, deep colors, it's apparent the intended focus of the Chapel is the window. Before being installed, the window won a gold medal during the 1900 Exposition Universelle in Paris, giving it credibility as an important example of Tiffany's highly- prized ecclesiastical work. Behind the chapel is a lovely pond with fish and frogs, benches and headstones. It's very peaceful and beautiful. The Garfield Monument at Lake View Cemetery is massive and awesome. It closes early too and I missed out but I would make an effort to visit when it's open. James A. Garfield, the 20th President of the United States, was an Ohio native. He was assassinated and died just six months after taking office. The main floor of the interior is decorated with elaborate mosaic tiles, marble columns, and colorful leaded glass windows. The focal point on the main level is a larger-than-life statue of President Garfield. The lower level contains the flag-draped coffin of President Garfield and that of his wife, Lucretia. Two urns containing the remains of the Garfields' daughter Molly and her husband are adjacent to the coffins. The Garfield Monument is open daily between 9-4 p.m. and is free to visit! Hiding in plain sight in Cleveland's Lakeview Cemetery is Lakeview Dam. At the time of its construction in 1978, it was the largest concrete filled dam east of the Rocky Mountains. A current Lakeview Cemetery pamphlet lists it as the largest concrete filled dam east of the Mississippi. The Lakeview Cemetery web site says "The dam is 500 feet across, 60 feet above grade and 30 feet below grade...The dam can hold back 80 million gallons of water." It was dry when I was there. read more

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I'm obsessed with this place. I often tell my husband when we actually get around to having b our wedding, I want it here. When I come here I think of NOLA. I think of life and never death. I'm sure people are wondering why. Cemeteries are where you celebrate life, not mourn the dead. This place is full of some of the most incredible headstones, I've ever seen. The timeless beauty of the crying angels, the beautiful guitar player. This cemetery will never get old. Once the weather gets warmer, I highly recommend a picnic lunch and day spent remembering those that once lived. It's a pretty awesome experience. read more

Lake View Cemetery - Funeral Services & Cemeteries Near Me - Cleveland, Ohio

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Gorgeous, well maintained, & interesting must see place in Cleveland Ohio. Beautiful plants & stunning monuments. Peaceful.

It was a beautiful sunny day. I was able to navigate the supplied map and see every recommended stone. I also seen several beautiful stones on my way as I navigated. I was able to enter the Garfield Memorial. I drove 3 hours to get there, walked over 20,000 steps. My adventure lasted over 4 hours. Then I drove 3 hours back home. Would not trade it for the world. Amazing day. I took lots of awesome pics. They have a couple Porta pots on the premises. I would recommend taking some water to drink. I did see some people driving through the cemetery and stopping to look at monuments. read more

Ok I'm a cemetery nerd .. I find large cemeteries lovely and peaceful. The mature trees, birds, flowers, the art of the monuments .. I find a lot of beauty here and I hope my pictures show that and honor the monuments. The Garfield tomb is the highlight and well worth the visit .. you have to go inside ..its absolutely beautiful and if you go up the narrow steps .. and step outside .. a interesting viewpoint. read more

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