A setting to inspire and nourish the soul

From the stately elegance of The Ellipse Gardens to the open vistas of the Bronze Gardens and the traditional Monument Sections, Roosevelt Memorial Park is a place of solace and quiet beauty for visitors and mourners alike. We offer in-ground spaces, garden estates, a community chapel mausoleum with wall crypts and family rooms—as well as private mausoleums and cremation niches and gardens. Ideal settings to reflect, honor and pay tribute.

An exclusive place built to honor loved ones

Dedicated in 2007, The Ellipse Gardens are the newest additions to Roosevelt. These exquisite properties reflect and honor the strength that is the heart of our Judaism. Surrounded by lovely flowering gardens, estates and bench lots, it is a timeless tribute to memorialize and honor those we have lost.

In times of darkness, a guiding light

A loss in the family can be an emotional time filled with sorrow and confusion. At Roosevelt, it is our mission to help guide you through this difficult period. Our Jewish faith recognizes this last right of passage and the importance of the grieving process. Our compassionate staff will help you find an appropriate and fitting tribute to honor your loved one. Whether you need planning guidance, burial or cremation advice, ritual observances or special services, we will assist you with all the necessary decisions. No matter what your needs, all arrangements will be handled with the professionalism you would expect from Roosevelt.

We honor veterans

Roosevelt Memorial Park understands the unique needs of America’s veterans and their families. As a Level One Founding Community Partner with We Honor Veterans, our staff is knowledgeable in the benefits available to veterans and their families. With respect, integrity and dignity, we will walk you through the steps of creating a veteran's memorial service that truly honors the life and sacrifice of your loved one.

Remember the past, live in the present, plan for the future

Taking time to plan for the future so that no unexpected costs arise during a time of loss is the greatest gift you can give to your loved ones. Our thoughtful pre-need program enables you to make all the arrangements in advance. Let us help you take the guesswork out of your cemetery arrangements and give your family peace of mind, knowing your wishes will be honored.

Honoring lives lost

To honor the lives of loved ones, our services are designed to give special meaning as the community gathers together in love and support. We will help guide you through the process. Reform, Conservative, Orthodox, ultra-Orthodox or Reconstructionist; observant or not; blended families, partners, soul mates—Roosevelt is here to help you express the legacy of your family in the way you feel it should best be expressed.

The history of Roosevelt

A beautiful resting place envisioned

When Roosevelt Memorial Park was established in 1928, it created a totally new and innovative way to memorialize loved ones. In an era when the typical Jewish cemetery was crowded with narrow, individual headstones, Roosevelt was designed to be a memorial park. Trees were planted along roadways wide enough for cars to pass each other. Benches and water fountains were placed for the convenience of visitors. Roosevelt became the cemetery of choice for the families of successful business people as well as most recently arrived immigrants. Over the years, Roosevelt has become the most prestigious Jewish cemetery in the Delaware Valley. This new concept virtually eliminated graveyard fear and allowed families pride in memorializing their loved ones.

A circle of friends

In the early years of the twentieth century, many of Philadelphia's most important businessmen belonged to the Locust Club where they had their legendary afternoon card games. Roosevelt's founders called them together one afternoon and said jokingly to their friends: "Guess what you men are going to do this week? You are going to buy family estates at Roosevelt." All of the large family plots around the "Founder's Circle" are owned by families of that famous card group. Others bought private mausoleums. The cemetery's reputation of catering to the carriage trade was born.

Where memories and art meet

Roosevelt was the first cemetery to bring the concept of flush bronze memorials to the East Coast. It was thought that a simple open field would provide an uncluttered look and comfort for mourners. As the idea of the bronze gardens caught on, the cemetery introduced paved walkways. Bench lots were developed and then small family estates which are a group of burial sites with a bench and shrubbery surrounding the plot. Boris Blai, noted sculptor and founder of the Tyler School of Art in Philadelphia created his famous "Yiskor" statue which is a highlight in one of the bronze gardens and another of his sculptures, "Chuppah", graces a central garden in another area.

Roosevelt built the nation's first community mausoleum in a Jewish cemetery. The building was completed in 1960. A recently built addition boasts two stained glass windows designed by noted Philadelphia artist, Sam Maitin. Another interesting historical note is that the first computer system installed in a cemetery was at Roosevelt prior to 1960.