Blackberry Township assumed the responsibility of the newly named Blackberry Township Cemetery on July 1, 2007.  The Cemetery is located on the North East corner of Illinois Rt. 47 and Keslinger Road. The Cemetery was originally called Union Cemetery and was later known as Blackberry Cemetery. The Cemetery was organized as a result of the initiative of the Odd Fellow Lodge # 222 in Elburn.  A committee was appointed to approach the local Blackberry Lodge Ancient Free and Accepted Masons Under Dispensation, on January 25, 1860, requesting their support in the joint effort to organize a public Cemetery in Blackberry, eventually known as Elburn. Within weeks, a consensus was achieved and a constitution and bylaws drawn and The Union Cemetery became the first public Cemetery in Blackberry “Elburn”.  A complete set of original notes from these proceedings is availablefor viewing at the Township Cemetery Office.

Prior to July 1, 2007, the Cemetery was operated by The Cemetery Association, a non for profit group with Dean Capes, acting as the group representative.  At the Blackberry Township Annual meeting in April 2007 a motion was passed asking the Blackberry Township Board of Trustees to finalize negotiations and to transfer responsibility for operation of the Cemetery to Blackberry Township. Final papers, from the State of Illinois, reflecting the official transfer of responsibility, are dated January 30, 2008.

Blackberry Township Cemetery holds a wealth of historical information.  The earliest “Born Date” noted on a grave stone is in the 1700’s and the earliest noted “Died Date”, the early 1800’s.  The Cemetery has veterans interred that served in War of 1812 and many from the Civil War and of course the two World Wars.  We encourage you to visit the Cemetery to find these and many other historical bits of information and to view some of the unique family monuments.

In order to assist you to reduce the cost of a funeral, it is part of our future plans to offer an area of the Cemetery set aside for cremation remains, in what is called a “scattering garden” as well as a separate infant burial garden.  During 2008 the first stage of improving some common areas will be undertaken with the addition of some clearly defined paths, flower gardens and some benches on which to sit and reflect.  Additional trees are also scheduled to be planted during 2008 and 2009.  A new area of the Cemetery to the West and near the North entrance to the Cemetery will be available for sale of grave sites in 2009.The Blackberry Township Board of Trustees approved on August 14, 2007, Rules and Regulations to govern the Cemetery as well as a fee structure for services.  These soon will be available on this web site, but are available for review at any time at the Cemetery Office at the Blackberry Township Building located at 43W390 Main St. Rd., Elburn, IL.  The Cemetery telephone number is (630) 365-6089 and the fax number (630) 365-6568.  If you wish to send and email to the Superintendent of the Cemetery, you may send it to: .  The address is not case sensitive.Blackberry Township residents may purchase for future need or immediate need, a grave site for $800.00 and non residents may purchase a grave site for $1000.00. At the time of internment, an additional fee is charged for the opening and closing of the grave site. The Cemetery encourages the erection of grass monuments to facilitate maintenance.  Currently the monument permit fee for a flat to the ground, grass monument, is $25.00 and for an above ground monument the permit fee is $ 50.00.  Fees for monuments are to be paid at the time the application is completed.  Inquiries regarding pre-need purchases and monument permits shall be directed to the Cemetery Superintendent.  Currently no tax dollars are used by the Township to support the Cemetery.  Operational funds are secured from fees for lots or services as well as from interest on our investments.  We welcome your input regarding how Blackberry Township Cemetery can meet your needs and continue to be a pride of our community. If you have someone currently interred at Blackberry Township Cemetery and/or if you own a grave site (s), we would appreciate the opportunity to communicate with you to assure the information we are recording in our data base is accurate.  If you desire a Certificate of Ownership issued from Blackberry Township Cemetery, please bring in any evidence of ownership of a grave site or lot and we will work with you to update and validate your records.

Our Rules and Regulations state that all persons entering the Cemetery do so at their own risk.  All persons entering the Cemetery are subject to the Cemetery Rules and Regulations.  The Cemetery is generally open from dawn to dusk daily. 

We need you to help keep our Cemetery beautiful and a source of community pride.

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