Welcome
Located just moments from the heart of the Cortland, NY, the Cortland Rural Cemetery gently rises northward from historic Tompkins Street. Spreading graciously among fifty acres of winding drives, lawns, shrubs, and trees ― amid islands of individual graves, family mausoleums, and monument groupings, and honoring the original, 19th century concept of a "rural cemetery." The cemetery is a restful environment far from the rush of modern life.
Since 1853, its traditional character and classic landscape have made it ― and continue to make it ― a special place for families of the region's deceased. Visits are encouraged. Plots remain available for sale for new interments. Beautiful, peaceful, and inspirational settings with perpetual care are available throughout the park-like grounds for multiple graves, cremation burials, family plots, and private estate mausoleums. Additionally, one hillside has been dedicated to burials for veterans and their spouses. In agreement with Cortland's Temple Birth Sholom, two sections are reserved for Jewish burials. And the intimate, newly restored Gibson Chapel is available for memorial services or group visitations, with seating arrangements for up to sixty people.
Please note: We are a non-profit cemetery not funded by the City of Cortland, Cortland County, or New York State. As such, our operation is primarily funded by modest ― and, frankly, declining ― income from traditional burials. We are also thankful for donations and grants received from our generous supporters; please visit our donations page to learn more.)
Our Services
The Cortland Rural Cemetery offers a range of choices for those wishing to honor their deceased loved ones. Established in 1853 as a non-sectarian, non-profit institution, the cemetery offers several burial alternatives including traditional in-ground burial plots, interment in the facility's above-ground mausoleum, and a columbarium offering niches for cremated remains.
1
Ground Plots
The cemetery offers a robust selection of ground plots, situated on well-maintained and aesthetically pleasing lawns accented by mature trees, winding drives, and shrubbery. Here, families may inter the whole remains of their loved ones ― or opt for burial of cremated remains in suitable burial containers.
2
The Mausoleum
The cemetery's mausoleum offers the additional dignity and security of above-ground burial. Accessible from the newly restored Gibson Chapel (or a handsome separate entrance), the Mausoleum affords year-round visitation in a quiet and inspirational setting. It is constructed of Italian marble and steel-reinforced concrete, with fully ventilated, clean, and dry crypts that ensure lasting protection against time and the elements.
3
The Columbarium
For those who wish to preserve the cremated remains of their family members and friends in an indoor setting conducive to contemplation and remembrance, the Cortland Rural Cemetery offers several dedicated locations in its recently restored, circa 1920s Gibson Chapel. Urns may be secured in niches behind oak doors or displayed in glass-fronted cabinets, wherein pictures of the deceased visible through the glass may also be added.
Current Burial Pricing
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Ground Burial Lots, single-grave space ― $1000 each
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Ground Lots for two Cremations ― $459 each (temporarily sold out)
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Cremation Niches (wood or glass-fronted) in Gibson Memorial Chapel ― ranges from $720 to $3,604
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Italian Marble Mausoleum Crypts (casket interment):
- single unit ― $5,485
- double unit ― $11,000 -
Complete pricing can be downloaded here.
Those interested in touring the Cortland Rural Cemetery, reviewing available plots, or purchasing plots are encouraged to contact our cemetery office at 607-756-6022. (As staff is limited, particularly in winter months, please leave a message ― and we will return your call promptly.)
What's New
Saluting Branches returns to CRC
The Cortland Rural Cemetery is grateful, humbled, and honored to have been a recipient of the donated time, talent, and resources made available to us by the nationwide Saluting Branches program ―
on Wednesday, Sept 17, 2024. Thank you to Jim Maloney for his leadership on this effort in our region. Thanks, also, to the tree companies and individuals who provided their services free of charge as a way of honoring service men and woman entrusted to our care!
You can also see more photos of the effort on our Facebook page!
CRC completes entryway paving
Visitors to the Cortland Rural Cemetery will notice a marked difference in, and improvement to, the road-way surfaces of our front entrance and circles adjacent to our office and chapel! (Work done by First Choice Asphalt, of Cortland ― Sept 19, 2025) While we would have loved to pave the entire cemetery ― doubtless a project that would require an investment of hundreds of thousands of dollars ― we are nevertheless very proud to have achieved this much!Click here to see additional photos of the project!
Our
Spring
2026 newsletter
Our Spring 2026 newsletter is now available online and arriving at the mailboxes of our truest friends in the coming days!
In this issue, we remind folks that we're (in a way) an outdoor museum for the whole community; we spotlight recent recognition earned by our Board Chair, Kathy Cincotta; and we give a nod to an upcoming Facebook series called "Here lies..." where we ask for YOUR help in telling some of the stories of notable people interred in our cemetery.
Donate to the Cortland Rural Cemetery ~
and Help Us Fulfill Our Solemn Mission
Remember: We are an independent, non-profit cemetery NOT operated by a municipality
or funded by taxpayer dollars. As such, all donations are greatly appreciated!
(Learn more about our financial challenges here.)