FOREST HILL
415 South Observatory
Ann Arbor, MI 48104
(734) 663-5018
Established: 1857
Acres: 65
Official Website
Bella Morte Rating: 1 Tombstone

Forest Hill Cemetery is located very near the University of Michigan campus though, once inside, the bustle of that world of academics and young adults on the verge of entering the world of work and careers vanishes in deference to the silence of those who lie beneath the earth. One of the most interesting features of the cemetery is also one of the thing visitors will notice almost immediately upon entering. We are referring to the receiving vault. The building itself is not particularly remarkable and, we are happy to relay, it has not been relegated to service as a storage shed for cemetery equipment. No, the ingenious administrators at Forest Hill have converted the building into a lovely columbarium, complete with glass-fronted niches. While the building was locked during our visit, the glass doors allowed an acceptable view of the simple but elegant interior.

Forest Hill is diminutive and it doesn’t take long to explore its 65 acres. There really isn’t much to hold one’s attention--a few monuments that are pleasant enough, but absolutely nothing we would even remotely consider remarkable. The long and short of it is that Forest Hill would be a great place to wander for a taphophile who happens to be enrolled in the University of Michigan, and we wouldn’t discourage visitors to Ann Arbor to avoid Forest Hill altogether; however, it is another cemetery we would discourage you from travelling any great distance to explore.

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