This Newark Cemetery Is One Of Nation's 'Hidden Gems,' New List Says

NEWARK, NJ — A list of the “Most Beautiful Hidden Cemeteries” in the nation includes a burial spot in Newark.

Choice Mutual, an insurance agency specializing in final expense life insurance, recently surveyed 3,007 people, asking them to name what they consider the most beautiful “hidden gem” cemetery they have visited.

Three locations in New Jersey cracked a list of the top 140 sites: Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark (38th), Cedar Lawn Cemetery in Paterson (46th), and Harleigh Cemetery in Camden (135th).

Here’s what the study had to say about Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Newark:

“A Victorian landscape cemetery with winding paths, ornate mausoleums, and city views. Despite its elegance, it’s quietly tucked away from Newark’s bustle, offering a reflective, park-like calm.”

The top-ranked spot on the list was Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, New York. See the full list here.

Some people might link cemeteries with gloomier associations. But according to the study’s authors, there’s something “strangely beautiful” about wandering through America’s hidden cemeteries.

“Cemeteries aren’t just about loss – they’re about memory, beauty and community,” said Anthony Martin, founder of Choice Mutual.

“These hidden sites remind us that history lives not just in museums or monuments, but in quiet corners where nature and remembrance come together,” Martin said.

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