New Orleans Cemeteries: Holiday Closures and Visitor Access Details
The Division of Cemeteries announced that five of the city's six municipal cemeteries will close for Thanksgiving, while Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 remains shut for repairs.
By Arjun Weber ·
New Orleans operates six public cemeteries that serve as final resting places for residents and historical sites. The city’s Division of Cemeteries has published updated schedules and access rules for the upcoming holiday period and ongoing maintenance projects.
Five of the six cemeteries will close for two days to observe Thanksgiving. Lafayette Cemetery No. 2, Holt Cemetery, Carrollton Cemetery No. 1, Carrollton Cemetery No. 2, and Valence Cemetery will not be open to the public on Thursday, November 26, and Friday, November 27. These locations typically close on Sundays and operate on shorter weekday hours, but the holiday closure extends the break into the weekend.
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is currently closed to the general public while the city completes repairs and improvements. The site is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a National Historic Landmark. The only exceptions to the closure are guided tours and private appointments for family members of those interred there. Families can call (504) 658-3781 to arrange a visit. The cemetery was founded in 1833 and became part of the city in 1853.
Standard operating hours for the open cemeteries run from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on weekdays and 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays. Holt Cemetery opens earlier on weekdays, starting at 7:30 a.m. and closing at 2:45 p.m. On special holidays such as Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, and All Saints’ Day, the operating hours extend to 4 p.m. for all locations.
The city offers specific resources for visitors and researchers. A database of inscriptions from Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is available online at www.lafayettecemetery1.com, a resource transcribed in 1996 by Fred and Heath Hatfield. For those seeking to locate graves in other cemeteries, the division recommends using external databases such as Find A Grave and Billion Graves. People who need to report issues or request services can call 311 or submit a request through the NOLA 311 online portal.
Production companies wishing to film in the municipal cemeteries must follow specific guidelines. The Location Manager must provide a permit from Film New Orleans and comply with rules set by the Mayor’s Office of Cultural Economy. Applications for filming permits and pricing guides are available for download from the city’s website.
