Green-Wood

Sunday in the Cemetery
2025-12-07 10:00 - 18:00 (America/New_York)
Credit: Jothan Cashero

Sunday in the Cemetery is a day-long exploration of mortality at Green-Wood. We invite you to candidly engage with grief and death through a compassionate, supportive lens. This free, open-house style event brings together leading experts for engaging talks, workshops, and guided tours that illuminate end-of-life care, funeral traditions, and memorial arts. Through personal stories and interactive experiences, discover community through shared human experiences and gain insights into how we can each live well and remember meaningfully.

Price: Free. Donations encouraged.

In-Person Event(see details below)

Before Registering, Please Note:

Registration: Advanced reservation is strongly recommended. We may reach capacity, potentially turning away late arrivals. While registration is recommended, it does not guarantee entry. Only one space may be reserved per person.

Location: Programs will take place at various locations and times throughout the day. Please check the schedule for details on your selected events.

Donation: Although programs are free, we invite each registrant to support Green-Wood’s ongoing death education initiatives through a voluntary contribution, enabling us to continue offering meaningful community programs throughout the year.

Accessibility & Safety: The Modern Chapel is not fully ADA compliant; however, accommodations for entrance can be made for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Before reserving tickets, we encourage visitors to contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility at 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or events@green-wood.com.

A Little More About Safety: Unless there is a medical emergency, it may be difficult to easily exit during certain tours. Please consider these limitations before registering.

Program Schedule

See the program below for event descriptions and links to register. More programs to be added and a full lineup of panelists forthcoming.

Too Poor to Die: A Reading & Conversation

10am–11:30amLecture in the Modern Chapel – Chapel A

Explore the politics and power of memorialization with Amy Shea, author of Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins. She will be joined in conversation by Emma Acker of All’s Well Initiative, an organization providing End-of-Life Doula services to the unhoused, and Elsie Soto the Director of Friends of Hart Island, New York City’s public cemetery. Together, they’ll consider how we remember and honor those who have died, especially those without family or resources.

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The conversation will be moderated by Gabrielle Gatto, Green-Wood’s Manager of Public Programs. A book signing will follow the conversation, with books available for purchase.

About the presenters:

Amy Shea is an essayist with an MFA and a doctorate in creative writing. In addition to her latest publication, her work has appeared in literary journals across the U.S. She works as the Writing Program Director for Mount Tamalpais College, a free community college for the incarcerated people of San Quentin Rehabilitation Center.

Emma Acker has been working as an end-of-life doula since 2017. In 2021, Emma founded All’s Well Initiative to provide compassionate end-of-life care across the socioeconomic spectrum of New York City. Partnering with the Pathways Program at All Angels’ Church on NYC’s Upper West Side, Emma created the Health Care “Proxy Project” supporting unhoused individuals. Emma joined University of Vermont’s End-of-Life Doula Professional Certificate Program as an academic instructor in 2025. She is a founding team member of Here to Honor.

Elsie Soto is the Director of Friends of Hart Island and a public health advocate dedicated to preserving dignity, remembrance, and access to New York City’s public cemetery, where her father was buried during the AIDS epidemic in 1993. Elsie leads citywide efforts to landmark Hart Island and expand visitation for families, blending advocacy, education, and public health awareness. Her work has been recognized by New York City mayors and featured in The New York Times, Society Magazine (France), and numerous local, national, and international publications.

About the book:

Too Poor to Die: The Hidden Realities of Dying in the Margins is a collection of essays that take the reader on a journey into what happens to those who die while experiencing homelessness or who end up indigent or unclaimed at the end of life. Too Poor to Die highlights the disparities in death and dying faced by some of society’s most marginalized and underscores how privilege and access play a role in death as in life.

Everything You Were Dying to Know About New York Cemeteries

10am–11:30amLecture in the Modern Chapel – Chapel B

Ever wonder how cemeteries in New York are managed, who owns what, or what it means to be a lot owner? Join Kerry McGovern, Investigator with the New York State Department of State’s Division of Cemeteries, as she presents an overview of how New York’s regulated cemeteries operate and the laws that guide their preservation and governance.

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This presentation offers an easy-to-understand overview of cemetery governance—a system far more complex and compelling than you might imagine. Whether you’re a Green-Wood lot holder or simply curious about how public cemeteries operate, you’ll learn how these sacred places are preserved and how you can play a role in keeping them thriving for generations to come.

The Division of Cemeteries oversees the establishment, maintenance, and preservation of burial grounds for approximately 1,700 not-for-profit cemeteries in New York State. As authorized by the Not-for-Profit Corporation Law, the division works with cemetery officials on a wide range of issues including the sale of lots, service fees, and the acquisition of land.

A Final Contribution: Understanding Body Donation to Science

12–1:30pmLecture in the Modern Chapel – Chapel A

What does it mean to donate your body to science? This informative and compassionate program explores the often-misunderstood process of whole-body donation—what it involves, why it matters, and how it supports medical education and scientific advancement.

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Led by experts in medical ethics, anatomy, and end-of-life planning, this session will walk participants through the practical steps of body donation and address common questions about eligibility, religious considerations, and how the choice aligns with personal values.

Whether you’re considering donation for yourself or a loved one, this conversation will provide clarity and compassion around this meaningful end-of-life choice. A Q&A session will follow, inviting you to engage directly with the panelists.

What Do I Doula?

12–1:30pmLecture meets in the Modern Chapel – Chapel B

Join death and grief doulas, alongside death educators, for a discussion about the far-reaching services of a doula. Learn how you can use their services and how they can be a resource when supporting others.

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You’ll hear from grief doulas, pet loss doulas, legacy doulas, eco doulas, vigil doulas, administrative doulas, and many more. (Not sure what that means? Don’t worry, we’ll tell you all about it!)

Whether you’re exploring doula services for yourself, considering training, or seeking resources to help others, this conversation will illuminate the diverse ways doulas can provide compassionate support during life’s most challenging transitions.

Writing about Grief

2–3:30pmPanel Conversation in the Modern Chapel – Chapel A

Loss touches every life, yet each person’s journey through grief remains uniquely their own. This panel brings together writers who center grief in their work to explore how the act of artistic creation serves as both a pathway through mourning and a means to connect with others navigating similar terrain.

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This conversation welcomes writers, readers, and anyone walking their own path through loss. Together, we’ll discover how words can help us make sense of grief—its sorrow and its revelations, its endings and unexpected beginnings. The panel will conclude with an interactive Q&A.

Sibling Loss

2–3:30pmPanel Conversation in the Modern Chapel – Chapel B

Sibling loss is often called a “forgotten grief,” overlooked by society and frequently misunderstood. This panel brings together writers, mental health professionals, and individuals with lived experience to explore the profound complexity of grieving a sibling and how that loss shapes identity, memory, and family dynamics throughout one’s life.

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Whether your loss is recent or long ago, whether you’re grieving or supporting someone else, this conversation will offer validation, insight, and space to reflect on the enduring bond between siblings that persists even after death. A moderated Q&A will follow, allowing attendees to share questions and stories.

Grieving and Weaving

4–6:00pmHands-on Workshop in Chapel B

Join us for an afternoon of knitting and crocheting that explores creativity, contemplation, and healing through textile arts. Led by artist Mary Pat Klein, discover the therapeutic potential of tactile crafts in processing grief.

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All skill levels are welcome; tutorials are available for beginners, and experienced crafters of any medium may work on their new or ongoing projects. A limited number of materials for crafting will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis.

Mary Pat Klein is a renowned yarn craftsperson whose work has been part of Oscar-nominated costume design teams and has been featured on Broadway and television.

Sacred Grounds: Sips & Stories

4–6:00pmMeet and Greet in the Modern Chapel – Chapel A

At this intimate and informal gathering, Green-Wood’s gravediggers, crematory operators, and memorial counselors, alongside local death-care-industry professionals and community members, will join together for candid and supportive conversations about death work.

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While mingling over light refreshments, you’ll have unprecedented access to the professionals who quietly steward our final transitions and work to demystify death care.

Grieving & Weaving
2025-12-12 18:30 - 20:30
Credit: Jordana Bermudez

Stitching together creativity and community, this knitting and crocheting group is unique for one reason: it meets in a cemetery. Whether you’re an expert with yarn or just starting out, you are welcome to join us as we share stories, skills, and grief resources in the comfort of Green-Wood’s Modern Chapel. As we create together, we’ll talk about the significance of handmade items in both our personal and collective histories. To hear about past attendees’ experiences, listen and/or read to this piece featured on NPR.

Price: Free. Registration required.

Get Tickets

In-Person Event(see details below)

Beginners can join our knitting and crochet tutorial groups, while experienced crafters are encouraged to bring ongoing projects and mentor others. Feel free to bring your own yarn, needles, and hooks; some materials will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Not a knitter? Not to worry, you can bring whatever other crafts you are working on.

Free. Registration required. Please consider a $10 donation to the Green-Wood Historic Fund so that we can continue to offer free and low-cost programs throughout the year.

BEFORE RESERVING YOUR SPOT, PLEASE NOTE:

Where to go: This program will take place at the Modern Chapel near the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street).

The Modern Chapel is not fully ADA Compliant. Before reserving tickets, we encourage visitors to contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility for this program. Please call 718-210-3080, ext. 1 or email events@green-wood.com.

Between Endings and Beginnings: A Ritual at Jean Shin’s Offering
2025-12-14 11:00 - 13:00
Join us for the inauguration of Jean Shin’s Offering, a site-specific installation in Green-Wood’s entrance meadow. Inspired by Korean tumuli burial mounds, Offering honors trees that have lived and died at the Cemetery, transforming fallen trunks, branches, and leaves into a living memorial. As these natural materials decompose, they will nourish the soil and fuel new growth, and native wildflowers planted in spring 2026 will create habitat for birds and pollinators.

Price: Free. Registration required.

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In-Person Event(see details below)

This afternoon’s program begins with an introduction to Offering by Jean Shin and an overview of death education at Green-Wood by Toni Franco, one of the Cemetery’s Death Cafe facilitators. Dannielle Tegeder from Hilma’s Ghost will then lead a contemplative ritual at the site of the installation. Participants will take care in a series of guided meditation and release work, as well as collecting natural elements to carry forward into their own personal rituals during the darkest days of December.

Everyone is welcome, but please note that this ritual will take place outdoors. Please dress comfortably and wear appropriate footwear. Contact us in advance if you require any accommodations.

Death Cafe
2025-12-16 18:30 - 20:00
Credit: Jothan Cashero

The Death Cafe is a simple yet powerful idea: bring people together to openly discuss one of life’s greatest truths—death. With thousands of chapters in over 90 countries, Death Cafes are informal gatherings designed to “increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their lives.” There’s no set agenda, but conversations might explore topics like burial vs. cremation, green burials, planning funerals and celebrations of life, or personal experiences with grief.

Price: Free. Registration required.

Get Tickets

In-Person Event(see details below)

Join us in the Cemetery’s Modern Chapel to share your thoughts, hopes, and questions in a safe, welcoming space—over tea and pastries.

Free. Registration required. Please consider a $10 donation to the Green-Wood Historic Fund so that we can continue to offer free and low-cost programs throughout the year.

BEFORE RESERVING YOUR SPOT, PLEASE NOTE:

Where To Go: This program will take place at the Modern Chapel near the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street).

Accessibility & Safety: The Modern Chapel is not fully ADA compliant; however, accommodations for entrance can be made for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Before reserving tickets, we encourage visitors to contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility at 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or events@green-wood.com.

Grieving & Weaving
2026-01-13 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-02-18 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-03-19 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-04-14 18:30 - 20:30
Credit: Jordana Bermudez

Whether you’re an expert with yarn, just starting out, or prefer sketching or collaging, all are welcome to join us as we share stories, skills, and grief resources. As we create together in the comfort of Green-Wood’s Modern Chapel, we’ll talk about the significance of handmade items in both our personal and collective histories.

Beginners can join our knitting and crochet tutorial groups, while experienced crafters are encouraged to bring ongoing projects and mentor others. Feel free to bring your own yarn, needles, and hooks; some materials will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Not a knitter? Not to worry, you can bring whatever other crafts you are working on.

Price: Free. Registration required.

Get Tickets

In-Person Event(see details below)

To hear about past attendees’ experiences, listen to and/or read this piece featured on NPR.

Free. Registration required. Please consider a $10 donationto the Green-Wood Historic Fund so that we can continue to offer free and low-cost programs throughout the year.

BEFORE RESERVING YOUR SPOT, PLEASE NOTE:

Where To Go: This program will take place at the Modern Chapel near the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street).

Accessibility & Safety: The Modern Chapel is not fully ADA compliant, however, accommodations for entrance can be made for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Before reserving tickets, we encourage visitors to contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility at 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or events@green-wood.com.

Death Cafe
2026-01-27 18:30 - 20:00
Credit: Jothan Cashero

IMPORTANT NOTICE: Please note that today’s session will be meeting VIRTUALLY. To register or join, please click here.

The Death Cafe is a simple yet powerful idea: bring people together to openly discuss grief, loss, and mortality. With thousands of chapters in over 90 countries, Death Cafes are informal gatherings designed to “increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their lives.” There’s no set agenda, but conversations might explore such topics as burial vs. cremation, green burials, planning funerals and celebrations of life, or personal experiences with grief.

Price: Free. Registration required.

Get Tickets

In-Person Event(see details below)

Join us in the Cemetery’s Modern Chapel to share your thoughts, hopes, and questions in a safe, welcoming space over tea and pastries.

Free. Registration required. Please consider a $10 donation to the Green-Wood Historic Fund so that we can continue to offer more death education programs like this throughout the year.

BEFORE RESERVING YOUR SPOT, PLEASE NOTE:

Where To Go: This program will take place at the Modern Chapel near the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street).

Accessibility & Safety: The Modern Chapel is not fully ADA compliant; however, accommodations for entrance can be made for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Before reserving tickets, we encourage visitors to contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility at 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or events@green-wood.com.

Death Cafe
2026-02-25 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-03-26 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-04-28 18:30 - 20:00
Credit: Jothan Cashero

The Death Cafe is a simple yet powerful idea: bring people together to openly discuss grief, loss, and mortality. With thousands of chapters in over 90 countries, Death Cafes are informal gatherings designed to “increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their lives.” There’s no set agenda, but conversations might explore such topics as burial vs. cremation, green burials, planning funerals and celebrations of life, or personal experiences with grief.

Price: Free. Registration required.

Get Tickets

In-Person Event(see details below)

Join us in the Cemetery’s Modern Chapel to share your thoughts, hopes, and questions in a safe, welcoming space over tea and pastries.

Free. Registration required. Please consider a $10 donation to the Green-Wood Historic Fund so that we can continue to offer more death education programs like this throughout the year.

BEFORE RESERVING YOUR SPOT, PLEASE NOTE:

Where To Go: This program will take place at the Modern Chapel near the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street).

Accessibility & Safety: The Modern Chapel is not fully ADA compliant; however, accommodations for entrance can be made for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Before reserving tickets, we encourage visitors to contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility at 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or events@green-wood.com.

Grieving & Weaving
2026-04-14 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-05-13 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-06-18 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-07-14 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-08-12 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-09-16 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-10-08 18:30 - 20:30, 2026-11-13 18:30 - 20:30
Credit: Jordana Bermudez

Stitching together creativity and community, this knitting and crocheting group is unique for one reason: it meets in a cemetery. Whether you’re an expert with yarn or just starting out, you are welcome to join us as we share stories, skills, and grief resources in the comfort of Green-Wood’s Modern Chapel. As we create together, we’ll talk about the significance of handmade items in both our personal and collective histories. To hear about past attendees’ experiences, listen to and/or read this piece featured on NPR.

Beginners can join our knitting and crochet tutorial groups, while experienced crafters are encouraged to bring ongoing projects and mentor others. Feel free to bring your own yarn, needles, and hooks; some materials will be available on a first-come, first-served basis. Not a knitter? Not to worry, you can bring whatever other crafts you are working on.

Free. Registration required. Please consider a $10 donation to the Green-Wood Historic Fund so that we can continue to offer more death education programs like this throughout the year.

Price: Free

Register

In-Person Event(see details below)

Know Before You Go:

Where To Go: This program will take place at the Modern Chapel near the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street).

Accessibility & Safety: The Modern Chapel is not fully ADA compliant, however, accommodations for entrance can be made for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Before reserving tickets, we encourage visitors to contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility at 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or events@green-wood.com.

DEATH CAFE
2026-04-28 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-05-20 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-06-30 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-07-23 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-08-19 18:30 - 20:00
Credit: Jothan Cashero

The Death Cafe is a simple yet powerful idea: bring people together to openly discuss one of life’s greatest truths—death. With thousands of chapters in over 90 countries, Death Cafes are informal gatherings designed to “increase awareness of death to help people make the most of their lives.” There’s no set agenda, but conversations might explore topics like burial vs. cremation, green burials, planning funerals and celebrations of life, or personal experiences with grief.

Join us at the Cemetery’s Modern Chapel to share your thoughts, hopes, and questions in a safe, welcoming space—over tea and pastries.

Free. Registration required. Please consider a $10 donation to the Green-Wood Historic Fund so that we can continue to offer more death education programs like this throughout the year.

Price: Free

Register

In-Person Event(see details below)

Know Before You Go:

Where To Go: This program will take place at the Modern Chapel near the Main Entrance at Fifth Avenue and 25th Street (500 25th Street).

Accessibility & Safety: The Modern Chapel is not fully ADA compliant; however, accommodations for entrance can be made for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids. Before reserving tickets, we encourage visitors to contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility at 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or events@green-wood.com.

MoonFest
2026-05-01 18:00 - 23:00
Credit: Alex Testere

Registration is currently closed. Please join our waiting list to receive any updates. All programming is available on a first-come, first-served basis, regardless of registration.

MoonFest is Green-Wood’s new after-hours celebration of humanity’s enduring fascination with the moon. The event draws inspiration from the Cemetery’s permanent resident, John Draper, who made history in 1840 by capturing one of the earliest photographs of the moon, proving we could bridge the 238,000-mile gap between the Earth and our celestial neighbor. Channeling that pioneering spirit, creatives, scientists, historians, and stargazers will guide visitors in exploring the moon’s profound influence on our world, from the rhythm of the tides and time to mythology and the future of space travel.

A complete schedule of tours, lectures, and activities is forthcoming. Check back here soon!

Price: Free

Join Waitlist

In-Person Event(see details below)

Please note that all activities are first-come, first-served; registration doesn’t guarantee a spot, so be sure to arrive early!

This program is funded by Simons Foundation International and administered by the Simons Foundation’s Science, Society & Culture division.

Know Before You Go:

Tickets: There is no need to print tickets! Attendees will be checked in by name.

Where To Go: Check-in takes place at the Green-House (750 Fifth Avenue), near the Main Entrance on Fifth Avenue and 25th Street.

Accessibility & Safety: While most of the program takes place in the ADA-accessible Green-House, it includes a walking tour over hilly, grassy, and uneven terrain. This portion is not wheelchair accessible and may be challenging for those with balance or mobility issues. There are no seating areas during the tour. For disability-related accommodations, contact us at 718-210-3080, ext. 1 or events@green-wood.com. This tour is not recommended for children under 10. Please wear appropriate footwear.

Refunds: All ticket sales are final. Refunds are only permissible if the tour is canceled by Green-Wood. Tickets cannot be exchanged for a different tour date.

Inclement Weather Policy: We monitor weather conditions throughout the day for the best chance of proceeding with the tour, and will not make a final decision until approximately 3 hours before the start of the tour. Cancellations will be announced via Eventbrite email blasts, so check your email and spam folders.

Signatures for Safekeeping: Preparing End-of-Life Documents
2026-06-02 18:30 - 20:00, 2026-09-09 18:30 - 20:00
Most of our decisions around end-of-life not only involve answering the big questions, but also handling complex paperwork. This program offers practical and accessible guidance on the documents that help ensure our wishes are known (both for ourselves and others). Designed for adults at any stage of life, this series emphasizes empowerment to combat feelings of overwhelm.

Participants will learn from lawyers, estate planners, and end-of-life care practitioners about essential documents such as advance directives, health care proxies, wills, powers of attorney, and other planning tools. The sessions will take care to break down what each document does and when it’s needed.

Price: Free

Register

In-Person Event(see details below)

Know Before You Go:

Where To Go: This program will take place at The Green-House (750 Fifth Avenue), across the street from the Main Entrance of Green-Wood (500 25th Street).

Accessibility & Safety: The Green-House is an ADA-compliant building; however, extra accommodations for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids are encouraged before reserving tickets. To contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility, call 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or email events@green-wood.com.

A Day in the Life of a Gravedigger
2026-06-18 18:30 - 20:00
Green-Wood’s A Day in the Life series turns its focus inward, spotlighting the dedicated professionals who keep the Cemetery running. Ever wonder what it’s like to work alongside death—or what inspires someone to build a career in the deathcare field? Hear directly from Green-Wood staff members whose behind-the-scenes efforts shape this historic landscape. Panelists will share insights into their responsibilities, the skills their roles require, and what it means to work in a space that is both an active business and sacred ground.

A Day in the Life brings together industry professionals for lively conversations about the many facets of work in the deathcare field.

Price: Free

Register

In-Person Event(see details below)

Know Before You Go:

Where To Go: This program will take place at The Green-House (750 Fifth Avenue), across the street from the Main Entrance of Green-Wood (500 25th Street).

Accessibility & Safety: The Green-House is an ADA compliant building; however, extra accommodations for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids are encouraged, before reserving tickets. To contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility, call 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or email events@green-wood.com.

A Day in the Life of a Funeral Celebrant
2026-10-07 18:30 - 20:00
Credit: Shannon Taggart

Green-Wood’s A Day in the Life series turns its focus to funeral celebrants, professionals who work closely with families to create meaningful, personalized rituals and memorial services. Panelists will discuss what their day-to-day responsibilities entail, from collaborating with families, funeral directors, and communities to designing services that reflect individual values, cultures, and beliefs. The conversation will also explore the logistics and emotional labor of the role, as well as pathways into the profession. Attendees are invited to ask questions about training, common misconceptions about celebrancy, and the evolving ways people mark death today.

A Day in the Life brings together industry professionals for lively conversations about the many facets of work in the deathcare field.

Price: Free

Register

In-Person Event(see details below)

Know Before You Go:

Where To Go: This program will take place at The Green-House (750 Fifth Avenue), across the street from the Main Entrance of Green-Wood (500 25th Street).

Accessibility & Safety: The Green-House is an ADA-compliant building; however, extra accommodations for visitors using wheelchairs or other mobility aids are encouraged, before reserving tickets. To contact our staff with any questions regarding accommodations and accessibility, call 718-210-3080, ext. 1, or email events@green-wood.com.
