Elmwood Cemetery is owned by the City of Henderson.  The sale of lots is not limited to Henderson or Vance County residents.  Records of lots sold and burials are maintained in the Administrative Division of Public Works.  The administrative staff maintains records relative to burial plots and the deceased.

Landscape  maintenance services for  Elmwood Cemetery were privatized in 2010.  Grass cutting, weed eating, pruning trees and other landscape services are under private contract.

Funeral homes are responsible for the opening and closing of all graves for burials.  Any person or company opening or closing a grave must provide a Certificate of Insurance to the City of Henderson prior to digging.  Funeral homes may contact the cemetery supervisor to schedule a time to meet for plot sales or locating existing plots prior to scheduling opening of graves with their contractor.

Fees for plots are set by the City Council on an annual basis with budget adoption.  Rates and fees are available from the Public Works administrative office by request.

The City of Henderson does not resell previously sold plots.  Should an existing owner sell their plots, a notarized letter or certified copy of the will must be sent to the City showing:

• Existing deed holder with mailing address
• Location of plots
• New deed holder with mailing address
• Signatures of existing and new deed holders

Once this information is received and reviewed by the city attorney, a new deed will be issued and the old deed cancelled.

Blacknall Cemetery has no affiliation with the City of Henderson other than the Henderson City Council has chosen to maintain the grounds of the cemetery under the direction of the Public Works Director.

In order to keep the cemetery grounds maintained as well as possible, the City has rules relating to the placement of flowers and other arrangements on the gravesites.  Please refer to the section of the city code which is accessible through Municode.  Click here:  Cemetery Rules

William Bailey
Assistant Public Works Director - Street Division Elmwood Cemetery Administrator
Office:  252-431-6117
Cell: 252-432-0445
E-mail:  williambailey@henderson.nc.gov