Cemetery · Houston, TX

Olivewood Cemetery

4.4(18) Verified on Google

Olivewood Cemetery is Houston's first incorporated African American cemetery, established in 1875 just a decade after Emancipation. Today it is operated and restored by Descendants of Olivewood, Inc., a nonprofit dedicated to preserving this historic burial ground located along White Oak Bayou in the First Ward, which contains more than 4,000 burial records and serves as both a cultural landmark and educational resource for the African American community's heritage.

Photo: Olivewood Cemetery

Photo: Vincent Clark (Gradplanner)

Photo: Krystal Weiss

Photo: Cris

Photo: Krystal Weiss

Photo: Cris

Ownership: Nonprofit
Established: 1875

About Olivewood Cemetery

Nestled along White Oak Bayou in Houston's historic First Ward, Olivewood Cemetery was founded in 1875 by members of Houston's early African American community, just a decade after Emancipation, making it the city's first incorporated African American cemetery. For decades, nature and neglect overtook the grounds, burying headstones beneath dense vegetation. Today, through the work of descendants, volunteers, and community partners, Olivewood is being reclaimed and preserved as a sacred site of memory. The cemetery is the final resting place for thousands of freedmen, community leaders, and their families, including notable figures such as Reverend Elias Dibble, the first Black ordained Methodist minister in the U.S., and other educators, preachers, and community members who shaped Houston's African American heritage. Descendants of Olivewood, Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, is committed to restoration, preservation, operation, and maintenance of the cemetery, viewing it not only as a burial ground but as a historic, educational, cultural, and charitable landmark where family, memory, and community endure.

Typical burial prices in Houston

Olivewood Cemetery doesn't publish prices online. As a reference, providers in Houston typically charge:

Low

$995

Typical

$3,040

High

$8,800

City-wide figures from 21 published prices — not Olivewood Cemetery's own rates. Under the FTC Funeral Rule, they must give you an itemized price list on request, in person or by phone.

Call for an itemized quote Compare providers in Houston

Services offered

Burial

Faith & language

Faith traditions served

Other faith traditions

Recognition & specialties

Specialties

African American heritage cemetery restoration
genealogical research support
walking tours and educational programs on African American burial traditions

Where is Olivewood Cemetery?

1300 Court St, Houston, TX

Get directions

Olivewood Cemetery reviews

Updated July 2026

4.4

18 reviews

Rating from Google · updated July 2026

4.4 from 18 reviews on google

What burial prices usually include

General context, not specific to Olivewood Cemetery: a typical burial price covers the items on the left. Those on the right are common add-ons billed separately — ask for an itemized list.

Included

The funeral home's basic services and staff fee
Transfer and preparation of the deceased
A viewing or funeral service and use of facilities
Coordination of permits and paperwork
Hearse and transport to the cemetery

Usually extra

The cemetery plot or grave space
A casket and, where required, a burial vault or liner
Opening and closing the grave (a cemetery fee)
The headstone or grave marker
Certified copies of the death certificate

Frequently asked questions

Is Olivewood Cemetery open for visitation?

Olivewood Cemetery is open by appointment only during daylight hours. To schedule a visit or group tour, please contact us through our Contact page. Regular volunteer workdays occur on the first and third Saturday of each month, and visitors are welcome to join these efforts.

How many people are buried at Olivewood Cemetery?

At the heart of Olivewood is the record of more than 4,000 burials.

What is Descendants of Olivewood?

Descendants of Olivewood, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to the restoration, preservation, operation, and maintenance of Olivewood Cemetery for present and future generations. We view Olivewood not only as a burial ground but as a historic, educational, cultural, and charitable landmark, a place where family, memory, and community endure.

What services does Olivewood Cemetery offer?

Olivewood Cemetery offers burial, and is a cemetery. See the full breakdown and prices on this page.

Where is Olivewood Cemetery located?

Olivewood Cemetery is located at 1300 Court St, Houston, TX. Use the “Get directions” link on this page for a map.

Will Olivewood Cemetery give me an itemized price list?

Yes. The federal FTC Funeral Rule requires every funeral home to give you a written, itemized General Price List on request — in person or over the phone — and to let you choose only the goods and services you want. Always compare a couple of providers before deciding.

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