Kansas City’s historic Elmwood Cemetery will commemorate its 153rd Memorial Day on Monday, May 26, by offering several special events and services, including an interfaith service featuring The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah’s Rabbi Rachel Rothstein.
Elmwood, located at 4900 E. Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64127, will open at 8 a.m. throughout the holiday weekend and remain open until 6:30 p.m. each day.
Elmwood’s Memorial Day will begin with the raising of the American flag at 9 a.m., featuring the ROTC from Kansas City’s nearby East High School. Veterans and their families are encouraged to attend this ceremony.
At 9:30 a.m., Elmwood will hold an interfaith remembrance service in its Armour Memorial Chapel. The services will be led by several area clergy, including Rabbi Rothstein, Victor Dougherty of the Temple Buddhist Center and the Very Rev. Dr. Andrew C. Keyse of the Dean of Grace & Holy Trinity Cathedral.
“We are delighted to present some special activities during Memorial Day and throughout the holiday weekend,” said Kurt Jordan, an Elmwood Cemetery Society Trustee and organizer of the Memorial Day events. “In addition, visitors can see all the good work we have done on our historic Armour Chapel and our new scattering garden.”
Elmwood will offer an open house at the Armour Memorial Chapel throughout the weekend, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sunday and Memorial Day Monday.
“Our gates are open, and our Chapel is available throughout the year,” said Simon Abrahms, Jewish community member and president of the Elmwood Cemetery Society. “But Memorial Day weekend allows us to put our best foot forward when the cemetery is in full spring bloom. We encourage families, neighbors and friends of Elmwood to come join us during this special holiday.”
Founded in 1872, Elmwood Cemetery is Kansas City’s second-oldest cemetery, with more than 33,000 people of all races, creeds and colors laid to rest within its 43 acres, including members of The Temple, Congregation B’nai Jehudah who died as long ago as the 19th century.