the Cemetery
An Important New York State Cemetery
The Cemetery of the First Presbyterian Church of Southold is among the most important in New York State. There is much to honor and respect in this cemetery, that is the state’s oldest surviving colonial cemetery. Founded in 1640, almost four centuries later the Cemetery is still serving the people of Southold.
Over the years the original one-acre cemetery, The Old Burying Ground in which rest the founders of Southold, has expanded to today’s eight-acre cemetery; it has for sale both burial plots and columbarium niches for cremated remains. A tour of the Cemetery will reveal the historic, artistic, and religious significance of its gravestones, as well as the beauty of its grounds
To Virtually search or browse our online database of those interred in the cemetery you may use the locate a grave button found here and on the additional pages.
Burial in the Cemetery is open to all.
Visitors to the Cemetery are most welcome during daylight hours.
Gravestone rubbings are permitted only in the Monument section, and only on granite stones.
Inquiries about purchasing burial plots or niches should be directed to the Church Office (631-765-2597). Pricing information for burial plots and columbaria niches can be found below, in the descriptions of the various Cemetery sections.
Copies of Rules and Regulations for both the burial grounds and for the Memorial Garden are available in the Church Office. Digital copies can be found here.
The Cemetery Today: Its Four SectionsToday’s Cemetery is divided into four sections: the Memorial Garden, the Memorial Section, the Monument Section, and The Old Burying Ground. Detailed description of each section, including pricing of burial plots and niches can be found by clicking the link in each section.
The Memorial Garden.
The Memorial Garden is the Cemetery’s newest section, lies just west of the Cemetery’s entrance road. It serves those who prefer cremation.
The Memorial Section.
The Memorial Section lies just to the east of the Cemetery entrance road. It marks its graves with inscribed stones lying flat on the ground.
The Monument Section.
To the west of the entrance road lies the Monument Section, which includes the Joshua Hallock area. It is the Cemetery’s largest burial area, with an impressive collection of headstones, monuments, and obelisks.
The Old Burying Ground.
The Old Burying Ground, in the Cemetery’s northwest corner, dates from 1640, when the Puritans who settled Southold set aside an acre of land for burying the dead. It is the oldest colonial cemetery in New York State.