A voice for Those Buried in Lafayette No. 1
and For their Families
Advocating for this Cemetery's purpose and Protection
Founded in 2019, Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 Tomb and Coping Owners Association (LCTC) is made up of
Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 plot owners and descendants of those buried in this cemetery.
LCTC works to advocate for the sole purpose of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 as a sacred resting place for the deceased,
for their dignity and protection and for the peace of their families and guests in the cemetery.
It supports protection of the cemetery, those buried there and the private property of its plot owners
from harm, desecration, misuse and abuse of any kind
and provides information and resources for cemetery plot owners and families.
All tombs and graves in Lafayette No. 1 and the materials and structures on or around them are privately owned.
They are not public property and are protected by trespassing laws.
Check here for latest updates on activities, advocacy work, and news from LCTC.
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"The dead...have rights which are committed to the living to protect."
Thompson v. Hickey, 8 Abb. N. Cas 159, New York Superior Court
"To many it’s a tourist attraction, but to us it’s still a final resting place of many of our loved ones.
Family connection is key in maintaining the place for which it was intended. "
Lafayette No. 1 family member
Family connection is key in maintaining the place for which it was intended. "
Lafayette No. 1 family member
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(Please see bottom of this page for previous city notices)
Family Days 2024 at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
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An aisle full of flowers in Lafayette No. 1 placed on All Saints' Day this year bears witness to this cemetery's on-going, active use. Families still bury their loved ones here and visit regularly, both to honor those interred and to tend their graves. The continued peace to carry on these treasured family traditions is a blessing to all. Free from the exploitation of the recent past, Lafayette No. 1 is functioning again as the family cemetery it has been for generations.
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LCTC's Family Clean-up and All Saints' Days:
Cemetery families of all ages came to one or both of two family "open gates" this fall, LCTC's 6th annual family Clean-up Day and All Saints' Day. Those with loved ones resting here cleaned their family tombs and copings, clipped vegetation overgrowth, swept walkways and laid loads of flowers at grave sites, brightening areas all over the cemetery. In addition to work done on these annual days, several formerly desecrated plots have been secured, and many tombs and copings cleaned and restored by their owners over the last several years. |
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Family Days 2023 at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Tombs and copings all over Lafayette No. 1 are visited and cared for by family members of loved ones buried in this cemetery. A small grave in a dark corner of the cemetery on a narrow interior aisle is extravagantly honored by descendants of those lying here.
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Peace throughout the cemetery was again palpable as Lafayette No. 1 families visited their loved ones' graves this year on LCTC's 5th annual Family Clean-up Day and on All Saints' Day 2023. Families also enjoyed unhindered opportunity to visit with one another, re-building a cherished culture that had suffered terribly from exploitative and intrusive tourist traffic in recent years. What's become obvious is that it's not only the basic dignity and rights of the deceased, or even the tombs, graves and infrastructure of the cemetery itself, that have endured these egregious abuses but also the very personal and generational traditions of the community. God willing, that is now being re-built on these sacred grounds as we're allowed to remember our loved ones as we always have, and they're allowed to rest in peace. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 is a cemetery. Only. |
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LCTC's Family Clean-up and All Saints' Days: Dozens of Lafayette No. 1 families came to the cemetery with cleaning tools and supplies on a warm late October weekend for LCTC's 5th annual Family Clean-up Day. All ages and abilities participated one way or another, helping to clean their plots and the aisles and areas around them. Though the weather turned chilly a few days later, more streamed in throughout the day bearing flowers on All Saints' Day 2023. Like on the previous weekend, toddlers through grandparents came to honor those who've gone before. On both days, Lafayette No. 1 families again worked hard to clean and beautify our families' graves, to pray and to remember our loved ones as we have for generations. |
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Washington St. Wall Project: On October 5th, 2023, a small crew of cemetery families and neighborhood residents joined Cemetery Division officials to clean up on and around the Washington St. wall. After receiving their marching orders, volunteers fanned out to clear invasive growth breaking up the vault wall roof, large ferns damaging the outside masonry and leaves piled up around the gate area. With willing hands and hard work, this entire project took only 3 hours! |
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Family Days 2022 at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
Free of profit interest and macabre entertainment,
Lafayette No. 1 and its deceased residents are able to rest in peace.
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The past three years of Lafayette No.1's closure to the public
have continued to be a blessing to cemetery families. Peace during funerals of loved ones and during visits to their grave sites is a welcome change from the chaos, disrespect of the deceased and intrusions of years past. Many families also have taken advantage of the time without tourist traffic to work on their tombs and copings. The cemetery has functioned over these few years, as it did throughout the previous centuries, in its sole purpose as a cemetery only, as sacred ground. |
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Many Lafayette No. 1 families visited the cemetery on LCTC's 4th annual Family Clean-up Day and on All Saints' Day 2022 as well as several other community and individual workdays at the cemetery. They raked and swept walkways, cleaned and painted tombs and copings, prayed privately at their family graves and laid flowers in remembrance of loved ones. |
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Cemetery families, neighborhood residents and volunteer firemen from around the city worked together in mid October to rake and bag loads of magnolia leaves around the Prytania gate and outside the walls on the Prytania and Sixth St. sidewalks. |
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Family Days 2021 at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
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Lots of hard work by families took place on LCTC's 3rd annual Family Clean-up Day. Dozens raked and bagged loads of Hurricane Ida debris still in walkways, cleaned their family plots and swept up the areas around them. __________________ Many Lafayette No. 1 families visited the cemetery a couple of days later on All Saints' Day, 2021. It was a beautiful day, and a blessed third year to honor our loved ones in peace and to visit with one another. (More 2021 Family Days photos posted on the Associate Gallery log-in page.) |
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All photos property of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 Tomb and Coping Owners unless otherwise noted. Copyright © 2023
Family Days 2020 at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
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Lafayette No. 1 families enjoyed a series of visiting days in the cemetery through late summer and fall.
These included LCTC's 2nd annual Family Clean-up Day in late October and All Saints' Day 2020.
Many families worked and visited alone, as couples and in multi-generational groups as we have for generations
to clean tombs and copings, rake walkways and place flowers.
Like last year, we enjoyed good weather for each of the cleaning and visiting days.
Also like last year, dozens voiced appreciation for once again having a place for our loved ones to rest in peace
and for our families to visit in peace.
Sampling of photos below. More posted on LCTC Associate log-in pages.
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Cleaning-up Tombs & Walkways Vines, Mud & Leaves Work done by many all over the cemetery |
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Visiting
A sacred place to honor loved ones and a peaceful time to visit with one another |
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All photos property of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 Tomb and Coping Owners unless otherwise noted. Copyright © 2023
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Family Days 2019 at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1
In late October and early November, 2019, LCTC organized two family days at Lafayette No. 1 during the city's official closure of the cemetery. Because the cemetery is still under repair and considered unsafe for general visitation, city officials graciously helped us monitor the gates. They even helped us clean!
The first, on October 26th, was a Family Clean-up Day allowing families to clean and prepare their plots as they always have in preparation for All Saints' Day. Mud was cleared; leaves and branches were swept up, bagged and hauled away; tombs and copings were cleaned and repaired.
The second, on November 1st - All Saints' Day - allowed families to visit the cemetery in peace, unhindered and undisturbed by crowds and tour groups that have overrun it in recent years. Checked in at the gate, families members of all ages streamed in throughout the day bearing armfuls of fresh flowers to honor their loved ones as they always have.
Many expressed appreciation for the return to dignity and peaceful family visiting at Lafayette No. 1.
Please see our gallery below for some snapshots. More are posted on our LCTC Associate log-in pages.
In late October and early November, 2019, LCTC organized two family days at Lafayette No. 1 during the city's official closure of the cemetery. Because the cemetery is still under repair and considered unsafe for general visitation, city officials graciously helped us monitor the gates. They even helped us clean!
The first, on October 26th, was a Family Clean-up Day allowing families to clean and prepare their plots as they always have in preparation for All Saints' Day. Mud was cleared; leaves and branches were swept up, bagged and hauled away; tombs and copings were cleaned and repaired.
The second, on November 1st - All Saints' Day - allowed families to visit the cemetery in peace, unhindered and undisturbed by crowds and tour groups that have overrun it in recent years. Checked in at the gate, families members of all ages streamed in throughout the day bearing armfuls of fresh flowers to honor their loved ones as they always have.
Many expressed appreciation for the return to dignity and peaceful family visiting at Lafayette No. 1.
Please see our gallery below for some snapshots. More are posted on our LCTC Associate log-in pages.
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Family Clean-up Day 2019
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Tomb and coping owners take opportunity to clean and prepare their tombs and copings for All Saints' Day
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Recently vandalized tomb is restored to its excellent former condition
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All Saints' Day 2019
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A respectful time and place to honor loved ones |
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A peaceful time and place to pray and reflect |
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An unhindered time and place to visit friends and families |
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All photos property of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 Tomb and Coping Owners unless otherwise noted. Copyright © 2023
Reclaiming Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 for its Purpose
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Families have opportunity to again visit the cemetery as they always have:
All Saints' Day, 2019, was a beautiful, crisp day for families with loved ones buried in Lafayette No. 1 to visit as they have traditionally for generations. Young and old came to the cemetery together to place flowers, reflect peacefully and greet one another. Some were able to accomplish some clean-up work that they weren't able to do or complete on our Family Clean-up Day the weekend before. Many others simply came to pay their respects as they have throughout their lives. Dozens commented on the quiet, respectful atmosphere - a welcome relief from the past several years. At no time, except outside the gate, were they obstructed, intruded on or disrespected. |
BEFORE: All Saints' Day 2018
Families surrounded by intrusive, circulating tour groups of up to 30 tourists each, often touting ghoulish themes and nonsense.
A tourist in this large group told someone visiting their mother's recent grave nearby to bury their family members somewhere else. NCIS filming prohibited visiting by family members in another part of the cemetery.
AFTER: All Saints' Day 2019
Families able to remember their loved ones and visit in peace as they have for generations. Here a daughter prays while her father looks on.
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A comment sent later by a family visitor sums up the day best:
I wanted to thank the board and everybody involved in opening the cemetery to family yesterday. It meant a great deal to be able to visit the tomb as we always have in the past. I appreciate the effort and time you spent in keeping up the tradition, working with the city and managing the entrance. By the looks of it, it was still difficult keeping the tourists away. I also enjoyed meeting and talking with some of the other tomb owners and it was very interesting to share the connection of family in that space. To many it’s a tourist attraction, but to us it’s still a final resting place of many of our loved ones. I think that family connection is key in maintaining the place for which it was intended. |
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Previous City Notices
Previous City Notices
6th St Construction Notice - 8/11/2021
The Division of Cemeteries reports that Roadwork Nola has issued an update on the 6th St. sidewalk construction project between Prytania and Coliseum.
The sidewalk is to be poured with concrete by the end of August.
The second part of the project regarding repair on Coliseum St. has been delayed in order to re-bid the work. There is no current timeline for its completion.
Cemetery office phone #: 504-658-3781 or 504-658-3672.
Update 8/27/2021: The Cemetery Division has informed LCTC that the 6th St. sidewalk has been poured from the cemetery gate to Coliseum St.
Update 10/2/2021: The downtown side of the 6th St sidewalk from Prytania to Coliseum St. has been poured. The street is open, but construction continues along it.
Update 11/10/2021: The 6th St sidewalk project from Prytania to Coliseum is completed. Some street construction remains as of this date.
The Division of Cemeteries reports that Roadwork Nola has issued an update on the 6th St. sidewalk construction project between Prytania and Coliseum.
The sidewalk is to be poured with concrete by the end of August.
The second part of the project regarding repair on Coliseum St. has been delayed in order to re-bid the work. There is no current timeline for its completion.
Cemetery office phone #: 504-658-3781 or 504-658-3672.
Update 8/27/2021: The Cemetery Division has informed LCTC that the 6th St. sidewalk has been poured from the cemetery gate to Coliseum St.
Update 10/2/2021: The downtown side of the 6th St sidewalk from Prytania to Coliseum St. has been poured. The street is open, but construction continues along it.
Update 11/10/2021: The 6th St sidewalk project from Prytania to Coliseum is completed. Some street construction remains as of this date.
Hurricane Ida Update:
An amended report from City of New Orleans Cemetery Division notes that effects from Hurricane Ida
caused damage to some cemetery structures in Lafayette No. 1, such as several tomb doors and fronting tablets.
Owners of affected plots are being notified. This update corrects an earlier report of no damage.
An amended report from City of New Orleans Cemetery Division notes that effects from Hurricane Ida
caused damage to some cemetery structures in Lafayette No. 1, such as several tomb doors and fronting tablets.
Owners of affected plots are being notified. This update corrects an earlier report of no damage.
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lUPDATES:
EASTER WEEKEND 2020: The cemetery office states they will be closing all city cemeteries, except for burials, for Easter weekend on the recommendation of Dr. Jennifer Avegno, Director of Public Health for the City of New Orleans. MOTHER'S DAY: May 8, 2020 - City cemetery staff announced this afternoon that they will open the 6th St. gate at Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 for family visitation on Sunday, May 10th from 9 am to 3 pm. They state Dr. Avegno has given her approval provided the city's Covid-19 guidelines are maintained. These include wearing a mask, small groups of less than 10 and social distancing of 6 feet or more. Superintendent of Cemeteries, Emily Ford, will man the 6th St. gate to assure these guidelines are followed and that only family members enter. To ensure entrance, please bring personal identification and plot location. Call the city cemetery office at 504-658-3781 if you have any questions. |
COVID-19 NOTICE:
April, 2020 - City cemetery staff have announced they will be working from home for the duration of the coronavirus stay-at-home mandate, except for essential services. Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 will remain closed to the public and will only be opened to families for burials until further notice. Federal, state and city guidelines are in effect for funerals in all city cemeteries, including Lafayette No. 1. Please contact the city cemetery office Monday - Friday from 7:00 am - 3:00 pm for additional information or for burial appointments at 504-658-3781. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- LCTC associates can log on to the Associate Resources page on this website for city burial procedures, paperwork and fees. |
12.16.2019 - City of New Orleans Public Notice about Lafayette Cemetery No. 1:
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On Friday, September 6, 2019, the City of New Orleans sent out the adjacent press release announcing the temporary closure of Lafayette Cemetery No. 1 on Monday, September 9, 2019, for needed repairs. No estimate was given as to the length of time needed to accomplish this. Tomb and coping owners and families of those buried in the cemetery will continue to have access to it for visitation and burials by calling the Cemetery Office at (504) 658-3781 to make an appointment. If you are unable to reach someone at this number, please call the Property Management office at 504-658-3600. If you have further questions, or if we at LCTC can be of any assistance during this closure, please reach out to us through the Contact Us portal on this site or by emailing us directly at [email protected], as well as with any other concerns or input. |
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