Arlington Memorial Gardens is a 165 acre “memorial park” cemetery located in Springfield Township and is the largest such cemetery in the greater-Cincinnati area. The cemetery itself consists of twenty-nine individual and specific gardens that are most commonly built around symbols of Christian ideals, faith, meditation, peace and civic duty.

Founded in 1934, Arlington’s unique history is one that connects it to America’s War of Independence and General George Washington. The development of Arlington during the first half of the 20th Century mirrored the growth and development of memorial parks throughout the country during that period. Much of the memorial park concept flowed directly from the well articulated theories advanced by Hubert Eaton of Forest Lawn Memorial Park of Glendale, California whose ideas revolutionized the structure of the American cemetery. Eaton believed that cemeteries should do more than simply provide the function of burial and he developed Forest Lawn so that it would be more spacious and accessible as well as less mysterious and demanding to lot owners and visitors. Accordingly, Forest Lawn, and the memorial parks that followed, became sacred places for burials as well as public space intended for the education and enjoyment of visitors.

Eaton also advanced the idea that cemeteries should provide not only burial space, but also more comprehensive services including memorials, vaults, flowers as well as the ability for lot owners to pre-plan all of those services. He also believed that even as not-for-profit organizations, cemeteries should be operated efficiently and competently within the general framework of American business practices.

Privacy and democratization of memorialization was also one of Eaton’s concepts. He advocated the use of flush bronze memorials that were virtually invisible until one approached a grave site thus increasing the lot owner’s privacy. As the bronze memorial gradually assumed its natural greenish patina, the memorial blended even more perfectly with the green lawns of the gardens. Furthermore, the flush memorial responded to the American ideal of democracy and equality since every grave was memorialized in virtually the same manner thereby eliminating social divisions and distinctions.

One can plainly see Eaton’s theories in action at Arlington. Its 165 acres possess a natural setting and a pleasing ambience of hospitality and comfort. Arlington promotes pre-planning, offers comprehensive services, provides a setting for activities & events other than that of burial, and utilizes a business model that preserves its not-for-profit status while striving for efficiency.

As a memorial park, Arlington is proud of its legacy which is significantly different than its more traditional “rural” cemetery cousins which often feature large granite memorials. Arlington leaders have endeavored to retain the principal features of Eaton’s theories while also responding to the realities of the changes taking place in American burial and memorialization customs. Over the years, Arlington has grown and prospered and currently serves literally thousands of Cincinnatians every year.