The Des Moines Municipal Cemeteries offer professional information, guidance and support.
Space, lots, and plots are available at three of Des Moines cemeteries, Elm Grove, Glendale and Laurel Hill.
Cemetery Stewards
Glendale, Oak Grove, Sims, Laurel Hill, Woodland and St. Ambrose Cemeteries
Enjoy the peace and serenity of your historic surroundings while maintaining and preserving monuments and plots as a volunteer steward of Des Moines' cemeteries. Picking up litter, trimming around monuments, cutting back dead flowers, and monitoring for holes, sunken grave stones and vandalism are some of the small tasks to complete on a monthly or weekly basis depending on the block you choose. Blocks range from ¼ acre to an acre. Schedule a regular time that works best for you, your family or your group. Training and supplies are provided. For more information, call (515) 248-6320.
Cemetery Information
Glendale Cemetery
Laurel Hill Cemetery
Removal of Cemetery Decorations
On March 1, Park and Recreation staff will begin removing all memorial decorations that have been placed on gravesites in Des Moines Municipal Cemeteries over the winter.Friends and relatives who have decorated gravesites with items they would like to keep must remove them by no later than, February 29 or they will be discarded. This pertains to all Des Moines Municipal Cemeteries locations:
• Glendale – 4909 University Ave.
• Woodland and Saint Ambrose – 2019 Woodland Ave.
• Laurel Hill – 3601 East Court Ave.
• Oak Grove – 3903 SW 31st St.
• Sims – 3605 East University Ave.
• Elm Grove – 6501 Indianola Rd.
The public will again be able to place decorations after Saturday, March 17; they will be allowed to remain until the summer cleanup begins the week of July 1. For more information pertaining to any of these locations, contact the Des Moines Municipal Cemetery Customer Service and Sales office at 515-248-6320 or cem@dmgov.org.