Since its founding in 1974, the Save Our Cemeteries nonprofit organization has championed the preservation of one of New Orleans’ most unique and iconic treasures, its famed Cities of the Dead. Whether they are leading tours through St. Louis Cemetery No. 3, educating the community about ongoing restoration projects, or hosting the largest 5K cemetery run within the United States, the Save Our Cemeteries (SOC) team has worked tirelessly to support these incredible spaces within the city.
Sally Asher became involved with the organization ten years ago as a board member, and she has served as president for the last year and a half. As the author of Stories from the St. Louis Cemeteries of New Orleans and additional books on local history, Asher’s background in New Orleans lore helped inform her work with the organization. Under her guidance, the group expanded its community outreach and educational programs, helping to bring this local history to life.
As Asher explained, the team is now returning to the organization’s original mission: preservation. “Our burial traditions have not changed much in the last 300 years,” said Asher, who aims to highlight and protect these long traditions. To this end, the team’s Photo Documentation Project records local gravesites and uploads memorial information online, giving researchers around the world greater access to the city’s cemetery history.
Furthermore, Asher is proud of the organization’s education and lecture series, which brings in new people and encourages them to get excited about the city’s cemeteries. Topics include tomb restoration, burial traditions, jazz funerals, and the symbolism associated with local cemeteries. Like New Orleans itself, each cemetery is different and unique, and the particular styles and architecture found in one might not appear in another cemetery a few blocks away. Attendees can also learn how to research genealogy, as well as ways to care for these tombs. New methods of outreach, including a scholarship program and tours for middle school-aged children, help teach young people about the city’s important traditions. As Asher explained, the community is eager to get involved, whether that includes cleaning tombs or contributing to the recent photo project.
Like many organizations, the Save Our Cemeteries group faced a few setbacks with Covid, but the team’s focus for 2025 is on restoration. They will fundraise to help preserve some specific tombs, as well as continue their outreach and lecture series. Going forward, Asher would love for Save Our Cemeteries to become a one-stop-shop for anyone interested to learn how to fill out permits, care for a tomb, and conduct genealogy research.
In addition, Save Our Cemeteries is merging with the Preservation Resource Center (PRC), a nonprofit dedicated to preserving New Orleans’ architecture and cultural heritage. SOC will continue operations as a PRC department, with Asher continuing to serve a leadership position as a PRC board member and SOC committee chair. She is thrilled about the additional resources that this will provide for SOC, allowing them to continue the mission of restoring, preserving, and educating the public about these beautiful cemeteries.
Asher never tires of sharing her enthusiasm about local cemeteries with others. “People are all surprised by how much you can learn by walking through the cemeteries,” said Asher. “They are precious and need care.”
Sign up for SOC the newsletter to keep up with ongoing projects and events. Keep an eye out for the newsletter’s calls for volunteer help with projects as well.
In addition, become a member of Save Our Cemeteries to support the organization and receive discounts to select events. Donations also help fund the purchase of cleaning solution, brushes, and lime needed to keep the cemeteries clean.
Check out the event calendar to keep up with SOC’s many offerings throughout the year. In the springtime, join the popular A Run & Walk Through History 5K and 1K event, in which athletes race along a course completely within Metairie Cemetery. The largest event of its kind in the United States, it draws hundreds of participants each year. In the fall, join the online auction sponsored by the Anne Rice Vampire Lestat Fan Club. Past prizes have included custom Muses shoes, historical books, and original artwork.
Supporting the Save Our Cemeteries team helps ensure the cemeteries endure for many more generations to come. The preservation of these iconic sites is vital to maintaining the character and history that make New Orleans so special.
Get Involved
saveourcemeteries.org, facebook.com/saveourcemeteries
