Des Moines Parks and Recreation is joining the national “Wreaths Across America” campaign. Woodland Cemetery has been chosen as an official location amongst our seven municipal cemeteries.
Support is needed to fund over 700 wreaths placed to remember and honor our veterans on “National Wreaths Across America Day” December 18. Sponsorship levels include:
- 1 Wreath Individual Sponsorship ($15)
- 2 Wreaths ($30.00)
- 5 Wreaths ($75.00) *Most Popular
- 10 Wreaths ($150.00)
- Custom Number of Wreaths
Sign up to be a volunteer! Individuals are needed to lay wreaths on Wreaths Day and raise funds for wreaths sponsorships.
Click here to sponsor a wreath at Woodland or to volunteer.
Volunteer Sign-Up
The hours for visiting loved ones at the Des Moines Municipal Cemeteries are as follows:
- September-March, 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.
- April-August, 6 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Cemetery office hours are 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday through Saturday.
The office is closed Sunday.
Note: Tour space is limited. Register today to guarantee your spot.
Cemetery Tours 2022
The Des Moines Municipal Cemeteries offers three types of tours and reservations are required. The cost $10 per person, per tour. Tour participants must be able to walk up to 1.5 miles and the tours range approximately two hours in length. Tour size is limited to 35 participants and ideal for anyone above 12 years of age. The outdoor tours are both historically accurate and entertaining. Most importantly, proceeds from our tours support the preservation our municipal cemeteries. There is a group rate of $7.50 per person for reservations with 10 or more people. Tour participants will have to follow safety precautions to keep everyone safe and healthy. Confirmation messages will include requirements and safety precautions. For more information call 515-248-6320.
Civil War History Tour by Jeff Kluever, Woodland Cemetery – 2019 Woodland Avenue
On this Civil War-themed tour of Woodland Cemetery, guests will learn the history of Iowa in the Civil War by listening to the first-hand accounts of a few of the men who served and are now buried in Woodland Cemetery. The twelve stops on the tour will highlight stories from Wilson’s Creek, Shiloh, Vicksburg, Sherman's March, as well as other engagements, including the experiences of United States Colored Troops now interred at the cemetery. The stories from the men buried at Woodland are supplemented by historic photographs and Civil War relics, bringing their story to life more than a century after their death. Jeff Kluever, Cemetery Historian will lead the 1.5 mile, two-hour walking tour and reservations are required/
Glendale Cemetery Historical Tour by Ganesh Ganpat, Glendale Cemetery – 4909 University Avenue
Glendale Cemetery is one of the largest and most active cemeteries in our state. When the cemetery first opened, it was so far west of the population center it was believed it would never be used. Your tour includes a visit to the Glendale Abbey, the GAR section, Former VP Henry A. Wallace's burial site along with many other notable residents. Participants also learn about what makes the cemetery unique culturally, how the cemetery operates today, different monument designs, as well as volunteer and monument cleaning opportunities. Your tour guide is Ganesh Ganpat, Cemetery Manager.
Woodland Cemetery Historical Tour by Archie Cook, Woodland Cemetery – 2019 Woodland Avenue
Woodland Cemetery is a vast treasury of our heritage and the many pioneers’ leaders who are buried there transformed our country. Cemetery historian/researcher/educator Archie Cook shares his wealth of knowledge about Woodland Cemetery during a 2 ½ hour walking tour. The stories told by the monuments and headstones combine to form the history of the city as it has passed through civil and world wars, epidemics and natural disasters as well as the normal course of birth, life, and death. Passing through the narrow drives of the cemetery, you see stone etchings of the names of many citizens from our past who helped build Des Moines. Names part of everyday life in our city's landscape, street, parks, schools, and building like Savery, Kenworthy, Ingersoll, Hubbell, Kaplan, Perkins, Teachout, Fleur, Redhead, Polk, and Sherman.
Floral arrangement are available for purchase in our office. Purchases may also be made over the phone by credit card.
View floral arrangement gallery
We offer burial options to meet everyone's needs.
Our cemeteries offer a wide-range of volunteer opportunities.
You'll find information about current opportunities HERE.
Here are some pictures of the City of Des Moines Cemeteries.
Cemetery Search
