Cemetery

Mount Olivet Cemetery

4.5
401

Plan ahead and save

Pre-plan today to protect the people you love and receive up to 10% off prepaid cemetery and up to 10% off cremation property. Act today.

VIEW OFFER DETAILS

About

Weekends are busy at Mount Olivet Cemetery in New Orleans. With 7 to 9 burials each Saturday and more each Sunday—including the occasional jazz funeral—the small cemetery can seem very big on celebrating life.

Directly north of downtown, not far from City Park and very close to Dillard University, Mount Olivet opened in 1918 and is still the only cemetery in New Orleans’s Mid-City District that caters to the African-American and Creole communities. A mere 4 acres in size, it averages 450-500 funeral services each year.

A cemetery for the past and present

Located on Norman Mayer Avenue, Mount Olivet’s grounds feature tombs and copings dating back to a time when a family’s craftsman would build them themselves. Of course, that is no longer the case, but those old graves are part of the charm of this historic property, which draws visitors from all over the world.

Mausoleum at Mount Olivet CemeteryStanding tall in the cemetery is the Mount Olivet Mausoleum, the only 2-story mausoleum in the area. With tens of thousands of burial spaces, it offers a range of dignified and affordable memorialization options of everlasting beauty. The newest section of the mausoleum opened in 2015. Called Legacy Square, it is dedicated to local musicians and includes a bubbling fountain surrounded by cremation niches as well as oversize crypts designed for larger bodies. Other options include single crypts, true companion crypts, and double and triple abbey crypts.

At rest within this historical cemetery are men and women who were New Orleans leaders in commerce, industry, medicine, law and religion. As one might expect, it’s also the final resting place for a number of legendary musicians. Beloved singer, pianist, and rock and roll pioneer Henry Roeland “Professor Longhair” Byrd was buried here in 1980. More recently, in 2016, saxophonist Herbert Hardesty, who collaborated with Fats Domino on hits such as “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Blueberry Hill,” was buried at Mount Olivet.

Continuing a long-standing tradition

Mausoleum at Mount Olivet CemeteryMount Olivet is much more than a cemetery and mausoleum. It is an important and lasting tribute to the heritage and stories of the great city of New Orleans. As a member of the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, burial, cremation and cemetery service providers, we are committed to upholding our reputation for exceptional family care and take great pride in offering our friends and neighbors service they can trust—provided by a staff of truly caring professionals. Whether you need immediate assistance or have questions about planning a funeral ahead of time, we invite you to call us.

History

Established in 1918 to serve the African-American and Creole communities, Mount Olivet Cemetery is still the only cemetery in New Orleans’s Mid-City District that caters to those populations. The oldest parts of the cemetery still hold the ground copings and tombs that families built themselves from cobblestone, brick or masonry blocks—whatever a family craftsman and friends could pull together at the time.

Mausoleum at Mount Olivet CemeteryThough the cemetery is a mere 4 acres, it has continued to serve the community in an impressive way for a century, providing generations of families with a sense of comfort and adapting to the changing needs of the people around it. One example: The newest section of the mausoleum, dedicated in 2015. It includes oversize crypts (needed but not previously offered) and more than 1,000 additional cremation niches, in response to the growing popularity of cremation among Catholics and African-Americans.

Mount Olivet Cemetery joined the Dignity Memorial® network of funeral, cremation and cemetery service providers in 2013, allowing it to offer a range of unmatched benefits while continuing to operate like the trusted local business that it is.

Jazz funerals

A beloved New Orleans tradition, jazz funerals are not uncommon at Mount Olivet Cemetery. Typically a brass band leads a processional of family and friends into the cemetery from a half-mile away with somber dirges and hymns. It leads them out again after the funeral service with more upbeat tunes that celebrate life. Though a family usually arranges its own musicians for a jazz funeral, members of the cemetery staff can provide referrals.

Famous burials

Mausoleum at Mount Olivet CemeteryThe most notable burial at Mount Olivet Cemetery is that of legendary singer, pianist, and rock and roll pioneer Henry Roeland “Professor Longhair” Byrd, who was the embodiment of New Orleans rhythm and blues in the late 1970s and who performed at his famed nightclub, Tipitina’s, until his death in 1980. Saxophonist Herbert Hardesty, who collaborated with Fats Domino on hits such as “Ain’t That a Shame” and “Blueberry Hill,” is also buried here, along with American spiritual arranger Moses George Hogan, rapper Soulja Slim, baseball player Walter Wright and many more.

Mount Olivet cares

Mount Olivet Cemetery hosts a number of memorial celebrations throughout the year. The biggest is All Saints’ Day. A big group turns out for the celebratory feast of saints that includes bands, prizes, and plenty of food and drinks. Mother’s Day is also a big deal here. Music—from bands to choirs to deejays—marks the occasion, along with balloon release in memory of moms.

How we're different

100% service guarantee

At Dignity Memorial, we strive to get every detail right the first time, every time. That's why we offer every family we serve a 100% service guarantee. Should any detail of our service not meet the expectations as promised in our agreement, we’ll do everything we can to make it right, up to refunding that portion of the service.

Learn more about The Dignity Difference benefits.

Available 24/7 Icon for How We're Different

AVAILABLE 24/7

No matter when you reach out, you’ll get a real person on the phone. We also welcome you to drop by anytime during regular business hours.

Most Trusted Icon for How We're Different

MOST TRUSTED

Hundreds of thousands of families choose us each year for themselves and their loved ones—that's more than any other provider in North America.

Exclusive Custody Icon for How We're Different Section

UNCOMPROMISED QUALITY

Treating your loved one—and your family—with the highest level of care is our top priority. Our professional team follows a detailed, thoughtful process.

Plan ahead and save

Pre-plan today to protect the people you love. Low interest options on prepaid cemetery property for burial or cremation.

floral-promo-bg

Express your sympathy with flowers & gifts

teleflora-logo-130px

View arrangements

Bouquet of flowers on a cemetery 

Remember the one you love

Honor the memory of your loved one with cemetery flower placement.

 cemetery-flowers-logo

Learn More

Financial assistance when you need it most.

Applying for CareCredit is fast and easy, and you'll receive an immediate credit decision.