Graceland Cemetery is remarkably quiet and peaceful, especially considering that it rests within…read morethe great, bustling city of Chicago. The grounds are beautifully maintained, and during our visit, workers were actively planting new greenery. It was wonderful to see so much care being given to the landscape. This is far more than a cemetery. It is also an arboretum filled with mature trees, winding paths, impressive monuments, and extraordinary architecture. Pick up a map and give yourself plenty of time to explore. There is a great deal of Chicago history resting here, and nearly every turn reveals another beautiful memorial or quiet place for reflection. As always, remember that this is an active cemetery and treat the grounds and their residents with respect. I arrived carrying my finest crystal ball, intending to conduct a discreet communion with the departed. Unfortunately, before I could summon even the faintest apparition, a large crow descended from an oak tree, seized the crystal ball, and vanished into the canopy. I waited beneath the tree for nearly an hour, demanding the immediate return of my enchanted property. The crow eventually came back--not with the crystal ball, but with a Chicago-style hot dog. It contained sport peppers and not a drop of ketchup, confirming that the bird was unquestionably a local. Although the offering was delicious, it was not a fair exchange. My crystal ball remains somewhere among the branches, presumably being used by a council of crows to predict where tourists will drop their lunches. Graceland Cemetery is serene, historic, beautifully maintained, and absolutely worth visiting. I will return to continue my paranormal investigation--this time carrying a bird-proof crystal ball and perhaps a small bag of french fries for negotiation. Five stars for the cemetery. One star for the thieving crow.

This cemetery is unique because it is also an arboretum. That makes it the perfect place to take a…read morewalk and pick up maps at the welcome center. The two maps available are of of the different species of trees, and the other of the historical figures buried in the cemetery. I spent about an hour walking and taking pictures. During my time, I saw four other people walking or running, so it is a utilize space, but not overly crowded on a weekend.

Sprawling cemetery with lots of interesting markers and some notables at rest here. It can be a bit…read moretricky to navigate with the general layout and the narrow paths (just enough room for one car).

Props to the cemetary office staff. You can call them to find out where anyone is buried. They will…read morethen email you a map to help you find your way. Even with a map it can be hard to find a grave you haven't been to before, though, so call em up on your cell phone, tell them what grave you see, and they'll tell you which way to walk. So polite and great, I really appreciate it. I've noticed many graves in Waldheim have pictures on them! If you don't have pictures of your ancestors, go check out their graves, it can be very rewarding.

When I came to Chicago years ago, Mt. Carmel was the cemetery I most wanted to visit (if…read moreinterested, check out my review). Following that visit, I crossed the street and entered Queen of Heaven, a more modern (consecrated in 1947) resting place consisting of 470 acres. As I've noted in other reviews, I've always been fascinated by organized crime history, and Chicago's organized crime is an integral and prominent (if often unwanted) part of that city's history. I always try to conduct myself respectfully and discreetly in cemeteries, knowing these are holy places where people come to mourn. The overwhelming majority of the "permanent residents" of Queen of Heaven were honest, hard-working people who tried their best to make their way in the world. The cemetery boasts the largest Catholic mausoleum in the world, and it's indeed an impressive structure, a work of architectural splendor. Inside, I found the vaults of Tony Accardo, perhaps the most successful and powerful Mafia boss in history; Paul Ricca; Sam Battaglia; and Fiore Buccieri. I had a camera with me but I didn't take any pictures. Why? Because there were security cameras everywhere and I didn't want anyone to misinterpret my purpose, and think I was being "disrespectful." The Chicago mob was unique in being surprisingly egalitarian, a meritocracy (a large number of its reps in top positions were Jews, Irishmen, Greeks, Bohemians, a Welshman, etc.; their abilities counted more than their ethnicity), but they were also known for a countless number of savage "hits." I didn't actually think anyone was going to take a blowtorch to me for snapping a photo of Joe Batters' private vault. Still, I wasn't about to press my luck. Outside, it was more relaxed. I found the grave of "Mad Sam" DeStefano, a figure of particular fascination for me. Physically a cross between Fred Flintstone and John Belushi, reading about some of his "antics" had caused me to laugh out loud. He forced a court hearing for a $10 traffic ticket, had himself carried into court on a stretcher, shouting through a bullhorn, "Birmingham, Alabama, here I come...We are living in a Gestapo country...Hello to all the stool pigeons in the witness quarters..." It wasn't all laughs. FBI Agent Bill Roemer called him "the worst torture-murderer in Chicago's history." When Sam's wife Anita angered him, he kidnapped a black man walking on the street at gunpoint, and forced the man to rape his wife as punishment for his wife, who now lies buried beside him. Does she rest in peace, or does she dread the thought of the coming "Day of Judgment" when the dead rise from their graves and she has to see Mad Sam's ugly face once again? Hopefully, if there is a God, He'll spare her that. Mad Sam was shotgunned to death in 1973 while sweeping out his garage. The man believed to be wielding that shotgun is buried across the street, literally a stone's throw away. Tony Spilotro, the hitman portrayed by Joe Pesci in "Casino." The man who once squeezed a man's head in a vise until the man's eyes popped out of his head in order to extract information. On "Judgement Day," will Mad Sam see him, ignore Anita, and shout out, "You, you're the dirty ______ who shot me!" In another direction is the impressive monument to James Torello. If you read "The Exorcist," Blatty quoted a surreptitiously recorded conversation where Torello described torturing a 300-pound loan shark to death: "Jackson was hung up on the meat hook. He was so heavy he bent it. He was on that thing 3 days before he croaked...We tossed water on him to give the (cattle) prod a better charge, and he's screamin'..." I'm a non-Catholic, and Yelp is not the place to argue theological issues such as faith, grace, redemption, etc. But I couldn't help thinking about such issues as I walked around this beautiful, peaceful cemetery. Did the Catholic hierarchy really think Mad Sam "made his peace" with God in the seconds before that fatal shotgun blast? He's lying in sacred, consecrated ground. Supposedly, Spilotro asked to say a prayer (and was denied) before he was beaten to death, but does that transform a serial-killing monster into someone worthy of Heaven? As another, non-Catholic example-- "Tex" Watson, Manson's chief killer, has his own prison ministry and claims to be "saved." Is he sincere? What if he is? Someone who can stick a knife 30-something times into an 8-month pregnant woman permanently severs whatever tenuous links he may still have to humanity, as far as I'm concerned, and obviates any possibility of redemption or forgiveness. To me, that's a spiritual brokenness that can never be fixed, whether it's Tex, or Charlie, or Mad Sam, or Tony the Ant. I don't mean to sound overly harsh in discussing this cemetery...other cemeteries, religious and non-sectarian alike, have evil people buried in them...but these were the thoughts occupying me as I wandered about these peaceful acres. Maybe that's the reason I still identify as an agnostic.

My mom has been buried in this cemetery since 2023. Every time we place a decoration, such as…read moreflowers, they end up disappearing. According to the rules, ground staked solar lights are permitted but when we added them to surround my mother's grave along with some artificial flowers, they were DESTROYED (a few graves nearby also had them like this and their's were untouched). They were piled up and broken and some of the stake vases with the artificial flowers were also destroyed, it seemed like they had been kicked and tossed around. Some of the flowers were missing too. I really wish I took a picture of the mess because it was TRULY DISRESPECTFUL. What made me and my family so angry was that it seems to only happen to us in our section. Everybody else around us have their decorations perfectly placed and not touched. We called to complain and they did absolutely nothing, only said some of the things were removed because they didn't meet the requirements when none of the decorations went past the size limit or were glass!

The first time I visited this cemetery was several years ago, and for a very specific purpose: To…read moreattend a concert in the columbarium near Halloween. That was when I first learned what a columbarium is (a place for cremains to be placed). Most often these are outdoor resting places, but this indoor one has a large chapel-like area inside. There are benches near the wall niches for one to visit their loved ones. Bohemian National Cemetery is a major graveyard in the city. Its origins lie in discrimination. After the Great Fire, a woman who was a member of Chicago's Bohemian community was refused burial at one of the Catholic cemeteries. Bohemian in the 19th century did not have the same meaning it has in 2022; the area once considered Bohemia is now Czechia. Thousands of members of this immigrant community worked to establish the cemetery, which saw its first burial in 1877. Bohemian National Cemetery is not affiliated with a specific religion. Upon arrival at this cemetery, you'll see one of its most unique features: The funeral bell that still hangs within the stone cemetery gate. Every other funeral bell in a Chicago cemetery has been removed and/or replaced. I'm not sure, however, if it still tolls when a funeral procession passes through the cemetery. There are several sculptures throughout the cemetery by the artist Albin Polasek. Amongst them is The Pilgrim, just in front of one of the family tombs, and Mother, which is directly in front of the columbarium. I was surprised to find the Beyond the Vines is really a wild monument. Made to replicate the outfield wall at Wrigley Field, major Cubs fans can be interred in this outdoor columbarium. Ivy covers the wall, and there are stadium seats on the west side of the monument for people when visiting. Lastly, this cemetery is home to a memorial for the victims of the Eastland disaster. In 1915, the Eastland was docked and ready to set off for the annual picnic of a local electric company. The ship never left the dock; rather, it capsized where it was docked near Clark Street. 844 people lost their life--and amongst those, 22 full families perished. On the 100th anniversary of this tragedy a memorial was unveiled to those who died that day. Bohemian cemetery is certainly historical and has some very interesting monuments and sculptures, and is a must-visit for any taphophile. However, it's a bit unkempt in some areas, and rumor has it they don't allow tours through here any longer because someone on a prior tour stepped into a dip and hurt themselves. So if you do visit, be careful.

The office receptionist is awful. I called to obtain information on my grandmother. I was told to…read morecall back in 15 minutes because she was using another program on her computer and couldn't look it up. I called back 20 minutes later and she hung up the call, then called again to be put on hold for 10 minutes...no joke. I called back and she asked for my information and said she'd look it up and call back. I ended up going to the cemetery about 45 minutes later and she was on a personal phone call talking loudly until she realized someone was in the office. Lack of professionalism and sensitivity to the whole situation.

I came to Dalcamo funeral home as for funeral and visitation services for a relatives passing…read more Never a specifically pleasant experience, but I think Dalcamo was a good choice, due to its location in Chinatown and staff attentiveness. Also conveniently located next to a floral shop that specializes in funeral services floral. There are two rooms so it could be that two events are happening at the same time which feels a little cramped since there is only one entrance and the neighboring area is on the more congested side (but expected in the city). This spot is no frills spot, not necessarily updated, but the upkeep has been fine. The casket cars are well kept. Staff was very friendly and professional. They were able to bring in additional seating and have the funeral stickers for our cars ready for our family when heading to the cemetery. They were also able to assist police to direct traffic as well during the funeral procession. Overall a positive experience, but an emotional celebration of life.

I've actually attended services at this funeral home several times over the years, and they've…read morealways done a satisfactory job from my guest point of view.  Parking is easy, as long as you're not last-minute, and as usual, the organization of the funeral procession to the cemetery went without a hitch today.  They smoothly handled a pretty large gathering today, maybe 200 folks.  Today was the first time though that I personally realized their long-time competitor Bowman Funeral Home is now closed (and I don't know as of when), so Dalcamo is now the only funeral home located in Chinatown for what that's worth.

Beautiful, well-kept, peaceful, old, and interesting. Gorgeous grounds. Highly recommend.read more

This beautiful old cemetery is peaceful, quiet and filled with elegant grave markers.read more

I cannot express enough gratitude for the care and compassion we received from Russo's Funeral Home…read moreespecially Joe Russo. He welcomed my sibling and cousin as if they were his own family. We were never rushed, never pressured, and every single detail we asked for no matter how unique or emotional was handled with patience, respect, and understanding. Joe didn't just guide us through arrangements... he truly mourned alongside us as we said goodbye to our beloved mother. His kindness, attentiveness, and warm Italian hospitality brought comfort to our entire family during the most painful time of our lives. He understood how difficult it would be for me to let go, and thoughtfully found ways for me to participate at the end of the service so I could endure the heartbreak of saying goodbye with love and strength. That level of compassion is something I will never forget. I will forever be thankful.

In a time of need , Russo's is there unconditionally. I'm impressed with the care in which they…read moretreat the guests.

I have some relatives buried at Lakewood Memorial Park, and I got the chance to visit them…read more Lakewood Memorial Park is beautiful. It's big and open with lots of trees. All of the headstones are at ground level, so you need to know where you're going before you start looking. Fortunately, there are very helpful people in the office who can help you. My mother and I were able to locate our relatives and were happy to see that their gravesites were well maintained. I highly recommend Lakewood Memorial Park!

My Grandparents have owned plots in this cemetary for many years. My Grandfather has been resting…read morehere since 1994 and had no problems with anything relating to the funeral. They were very helpful in such a sad time. Fast Forward to March 2012 my Grandmother passes away and we get in touch with this cemetary again they get everything together for us we have the funeral and they bury her. The next day my Mother goes to the cemetary only to find out they burried her in the wrong plot! How could they put her in the wrong plot? Her headstone has been there since my Grandfathers was put out. It did not have a death year only a birth year. Then when we contacted them they acted like we were making a big deal out of nothing! I am so very upset with Mr. Orr who is the manager of this company he has not taken any responsibility for any of the mistakes he has put the blame on every one else but himself he also went as far as saying this happens every so often! How can you run a cemetary like this? That is a mistake that should NOT be made. They have taken some measures of restitution toward this mistake but no one has taken responsibility for it. Perhaps if their mother or Grandmother had been buried and then had to be dug up and burried again the next day they might be a little more sympathetic.