Burr Oak Cemetery
Photo added by David M. Habben

Burr Oak Cemetery

Alsip, Cook County, Illinois, USA

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Since 1927, the Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois has been the final resting place for the loved ones of thousands of families in the South Chicago area. Legends such as blues singers Dinah Washington and Willie Dixon, heavyweight boxing champ Ezzard Charles and civil rights icon Emmett Till are buried at Burr Oak.

In 2009, Four people face felony charges after authorities discovered that hundreds of graves were dug up and allegedly resold at a historic African-American cemetery near Chicago, Illinois. In all about 300 graves may have been dug up in the cemetery.

Authorities identified those charged as Carolyn Towns, an office manager for the cemetery; and Keith Nicks, Terrance Nicks and Maurice Daley, all gravediggers.

Each has been charged with dismembering a human body, a felony charge for which sentences range from 6 to 30 years.

The entire cemetery was declared a crime scene by the Cook County Sheriff's Office and temporarily closed to the public.

On May 24, 2011, a federal judge approved a plan to place the cemetery into a trust that would use about $2.6 million of a $7 million insurance settlement to renovate and run the cemetery. The judge set aside at least $50,000 for a memorial to honor those whose graves were lost or desecrated.

Burr Oak Hours

Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Gates Open: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m

Since 1927, the Burr Oak Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois has been the final resting place for the loved ones of thousands of families in the South Chicago area. Legends such as blues singers Dinah Washington and Willie Dixon, heavyweight boxing champ Ezzard Charles and civil rights icon Emmett Till are buried at Burr Oak.

In 2009, Four people face felony charges after authorities discovered that hundreds of graves were dug up and allegedly resold at a historic African-American cemetery near Chicago, Illinois. In all about 300 graves may have been dug up in the cemetery.

Authorities identified those charged as Carolyn Towns, an office manager for the cemetery; and Keith Nicks, Terrance Nicks and Maurice Daley, all gravediggers.

Each has been charged with dismembering a human body, a felony charge for which sentences range from 6 to 30 years.

The entire cemetery was declared a crime scene by the Cook County Sheriff's Office and temporarily closed to the public.

On May 24, 2011, a federal judge approved a plan to place the cemetery into a trust that would use about $2.6 million of a $7 million insurance settlement to renovate and run the cemetery. The judge set aside at least $50,000 for a memorial to honor those whose graves were lost or desecrated.

Burr Oak Hours

Office Hours

Monday - Friday: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Saturday: 8:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.

Gates Open: 8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m

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  • Find a Grave Cemetery ID: 104954