Riverside Cemetery

07/18/2025

The City of Asheville is moving forward with restoration efforts at Riverside Cemetery, with debris removal work scheduled to begin Monday, July 21. Crews will be on site Monday through Friday, from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., during this phase of the project.

To maintain the sensitivity of gravesites and ensure the safety of both the public and work crews, Riverside Cemetery will have restricted hours Monday through Friday beginning on July 21. The grounds will only be accessible from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. during weekdays until further notice, but will be open during regular hours from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. on weekends. City staff will work with community members to schedule funerals or special circumstances during adjusted hours. The City understands this may be an inconvenience and appreciates the community’s understanding and respect for this necessary measure, City staff will continue to assess the safety of the park and will update park hours if changes are made.

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02/14/2025

11/05/2024

09/26/2024

07/17/2024

The cemetery bears came by to say goodbye!

07/02/2024

Riverside Cemetery, founded on Aug. 4, 1885, counts more than 14,200 people interred among its 87 acres.

03/27/2024

Did you know that initially Riverside Cemetery was simply known as “The Asheville Cemetery” - a reference to the Asheville Cemetery Company which founded it in 1885. It was renamed “Riverside” upon the suggestion of realtor A.J. Lyman who had been tasked with selling lots by the fledgling company. His proposed name, according to to the Asheville Citizen, was “for the music of the word, the presence of flowing waters, and the sound of the stream itself sending up murmur to mingle with the wailings of the mourner.”