Historic Congressional Cemetery

What Historic Congressional Cemetery does

Historic Congressional Cemetery is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that operates and preserves a 35-acre historic burial ground on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. Established with first burials in 1807 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 2011, the cemetery holds over 70,000 interments, including more than 1,700 veterans. The site is owned by Christ Church + Washington Parish and administered by the Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery, with a staff of 11-50 employees managing preservation, programming, and visitor operations.

The organization's revenue model combines several distinct streams. Primary monetization comes from burial plot sales priced at $8,000-$14,000 per plot, directed at families seeking interment. Contributed income is generated through charitable donations and partnerships with veteran-oriented organizations such as Wreaths Across America. Secondary revenue is derived from ticketed events and tours, including the Cinematery outdoor cinema series, the Gays & Graves festival, and ongoing public art programming. A newer vertical — the Kingdom of Animals pet burial program and K9 Corner initiative — extends the addressable market into companion-animal memorialization.

Strategically, the cemetery has pursued community-oriented programming and high-visibility partnerships to broaden its audience beyond traditional mourning-related visitation. A partnership with WorldPride 2025 anchors LGBTQ+ programming, while collaborations with DC Front Runners and other community organizations build recurring visitor traffic. The organization is operating under a 20-year Master Plan that defines long-term capital, preservation, and programming priorities. Leadership is currently in transition with A.J. Orlikoff serving as Interim Executive Director.

Name

Historic Congressional Cemetery

Legal name

Association for the Preservation of Historic Congressional Cemetery

Website

https://congressionalcemetery.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1807

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Historic Congressional Cemetery operates a 35-acre National Historic Landmark burial ground on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, offering burial plots, pet memorial services, tours, and cultural events to families, veterans, and visitors.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Cemetery and Memorial Services

NAICS

Cemeteries and Crematories (812220), Historical Sites (71212), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

akta.pro primary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI)

Keywords

• Burial ground services
• Cremation memorialization
• Historic cemetery tours
• Community grief programs
• Pet burial services

Headquarters

HQ city

Washington

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Burial Plot and Site Sales: Sale of burial plots, cremation sites, columbarium spaces, and scattering garden options. Full burial plots range from $8,000 to $14,000 depending on section location. Green burial options available throughout cemetery.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit that relies heavily on charitable donations from individuals, organizations, and sponsors to fund preservation, maintenance, and programming.
3. Event Tickets and Program Fees: Revenue from paid events including Cinematery movie nights ($20), Pride tours ($10), 5K races, festivals, workshops, and educational programs.
4. Tours and Educational Programs: Guided tours including introductory tours ($5), specialty tours such as LGBTQ+ tours, military history tours, and private tour requests.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Historic Congressional Cemetery operates a 35-acre active burial ground on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., offering burial plots, cremation sites, columbarium niches, and scattering garden options for human remains, plus the Kingdom of Animals pet burial section. The cemetery also provides self-guided and guided tours, cultural events such as Cinematery outdoor films and 5K races, educational programming including K-12 and speaker series, and community support programs like Grief Karaoke and Death Cafe.

Product overview

Historic Congressional Cemetery operates as a 35-acre historic burial ground and nonprofit organization offering a comprehensive portfolio of memorial, educational, and community services. Core offerings include burial services (full plots, cremation sites, columbarium, scattering garden) and pet burial services (Kingdom of Animals). The cemetery provides diverse programming including guided and self-guided tours (LGBTQ+ tours, private tours), cultural events (Cinematery outdoor films, 5K races, Gays & Graves Festival), educational initiatives (Cemetery Speaker Series, K-12 Programs, Tombs & Tomes Book Club), and community support programs (Grief Karaoke, Death Cafe). Revenue-generating activities include event ticketing, race registrations, and burial plot sales. The organization preserves over 70,000 interments and serves as both an active cemetery and cultural institution.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Burial Services Full-service burial offerings including full burial plots ($8,000-$14,000 depending on section), cremation-only burial plots, columbarium niches, and scattering garden options for human remains. Green burial options available throughout cemetery.
• Kingdom of Animals Pet Burial Pet burial section for inurnment of cremated pet remains. The first pet cemetery section in the District of Columbia.
• Self-Guided Tours Outdoor walking tours of the 35-acre cemetery grounds with interpretive signage and tour kiosk, available year-round during grounds hours.
• LGBTQ+ Pride Tours Specialized guided tours exploring LGBTQ+ history and individuals interred at the cemetery, priced at $10 per person. Includes WorldPride editions.
• Introductory Guided Tours Guided introductory cemetery tours priced at $5 per person, covering key historical figures and cemetery history.
• Private Tours Personalized guided tour experiences available by appointment for groups seeking custom educational or commemorative experiences.
• Cinematery Outdoor Movies Outdoor movie screening series featuring classic monster films shown on cemetery grounds during summer months, priced at $20 per ticket. Films include National Treasure, Jurassic Park, The Mummy, Ghostbusters, and Monsters Inc.
• 5K Races Annual fundraising races including Cherry Blossom 5K and Dead Man's Run 5K held on cemetery grounds.
• Gays & Graves Festival LGBTQ+ Pride celebration festival featuring outdoor market, vendor booths, programming in historic chapel, and community gathering. Launched in 2025 in partnership with WorldPride 2025.
• K9 Corner Dog-friendly area and services including day passes, dog walking access, and membership options for pet owners at the cemetery.
• Cemetery Speaker Series Educational presentations and lectures on cemetery history, death awareness, and related topics featuring expert speakers.
• Tombs & Tomes Book Club Bimonthly book club meeting to discuss macabre and death-related literature, established in 2013.
• Grief Karaoke Community grief support program featuring karaoke gatherings to connect collective grief with community support.
• Death Cafe Monthly facilitated discussions about death and mortality, providing a safe space for death awareness and community dialogue.
• Records Search Online database and staff assistance for locating burial records, grave sites, and genealogical information for those interred at the cemetery.
• Wreaths Across America Ceremony Annual wreath-laying ceremony honoring interred veterans, conducted in partnership with Wreaths Across America nonprofit and the District of Columbia National Guard. Honors over 1,700 veterans interred at the cemetery.
• K-12 Educational Programs Educational programming designed for school groups and youth organizations exploring American history, military history, and cemetery studies.
• Public Art Installations Rotating public art installations and exhibitions including the Big Chair Project featuring commissioned works by local artists.

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

13 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Fulcrum ResidentialflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Congressional Champion level sponsor. Nationally ranked real estate sales team that has helped over 2,500 clients buy or sell more than $1.4B of real estate in the last ten years. Co-founded by Ty Voyles and Tom Kavanagh in 2012. Established Fulcrum Foundation, a 501(c)(3) non-profit dedicated to furthering growth and impact of deep-rooted community organizations. Sponsors Cinematery screen and complimentary popcorn.
• Grounds Management & Landscaping LLCcoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting Partner · 1 January 2025K9 Collaborator sponsor level. Has been providing personalized commercial landscape services for 50 years. Proudly manages the grounds of Historic Congressional Cemetery.
• DC AccessminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Cherry Blossom Contributor sponsor. Founded in 1999, Washington DC's first Wireless Internet Service Provider (WISP). Focused on making internet access simpler, more affordable, and easier to maintain. Serves Capitol Hill and Adams Morgan residents and small businesses.
• Duffy's Irish Pub – Cap Hill EastminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2025Cherry Blossom Contributor sponsor. Voted 'Best Wings' and 'Best Bloody Mary' by Washington City Paper readers poll. Offers weekday happy hour, burger specials, half-priced wings on Wednesday, and kids eat free Thursday. Community partner and neighbor; official pre-game location for Cinematery events.
• District of Columbia National GuardcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCommunity partner for Wreaths Across America wreath laying ceremony. Assists with annual ceremony at Congressional Cemetery honoring over 1,700 veterans interred on grounds.
• Guerrilla Gardeners of Washington DCminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organization for Wreaths Across America event. Community volunteer organization focused on beautification and stewardship of DC spaces.
• National Defense Post 46 - The American LegionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupporting organization for Wreaths Across America ceremony. Veterans organization providing support for veteran memorial events.
• Wreaths Across AmericacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUS-based nonprofit organization started in 2007 by Wreath Producer Morrill Worcester. Annual partnership to place wreaths on graves of veterans to 'Remember, Honor, and Teach'. Coordinates with shipping companies, truckers, living veterans, cemetery staff, and volunteers.
• DC Front Runners Pride Run FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHosts annual Pride Run 5K at Congressional Cemetery. 13th annual event in 2025 expects over 1,200 runners. Event includes commemorative t-shirt, medal, after party with live DJ, drag performances, and beer/hard seltzer provided by DC Brau.
• WorldPride 2025flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial event partner of WorldPride 2025 held in Washington DC. Hosted full lineup of LGBTQ+ programs and events throughout May and June including Pride tours, Pride Run 5K, Gays & Graves festival, and educational programming.
• National Cemetery AdministrationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for Revolutionary War Veteran Wreath Laying Ceremony in honor of America's 250th anniversary of independence.
• National Capital BankcoreGTM or Marketing PartnerCongressional Champion level sponsor. Community bank serving the Washington DC area.
• Kline MemorialsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMemorial and monument company. Partner for headstone and memorial services.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Arlington National Cemetery: Federally operated 639-acre national cemetery in Virginia. Broader incumbent in the national-cemetery category; comparable for scale of historic significance, veteran interments (1,700+), and ceremonial partnerships (Wreaths Across America), though it does not compete in the consumer burial market.
• Forest Lawn Memorial-Parks & Mortuaries: Largest privately owned cemetery operator in California with multiple locations and extensive event/programming operations. Broad incumbent demonstrating scale of programming-driven revenue in cemetery operations.

Direct peers

• Mount Auburn Cemetery: Historic 175-acre active cemetery in Cambridge, MA, founded 1831 and a National Historic Landmark. Comparable for combining active burial operations with extensive educational programming, public art, and nature-based tourism.
• Hollywood Forever Cemetery: Active 64-acre cemetery in Los Angeles that hosts large-scale cultural events including outdoor movie screenings (Cinespia), concerts, and tours. Highly comparable Cinematery-style event programming model.
• Woodlawn Cemetery (Bronx): Historic 400-acre active cemetery in the Bronx, NY, founded 1863, with comparable programming including concerts, tours, public art, and an active burial business. Highly comparable as a heritage cemetery monetizing culture and events.
• Laurel Hill Cemetery: Historic 78-acre cemetery in Philadelphia founded in 1836, also a National Historic Landmark. Closely comparable as a nonprofit historic active cemetery offering tours, events, art installations, and educational programming.
• Green-Wood Cemetery: Historic 478-acre active cemetery in Brooklyn, NY, founded 1838. Operates as both a burial ground and a major cultural destination with extensive public programming, tours, concerts, and events; most directly comparable peer as a historic urban active cemetery monetizing heritage through events and education.

Regional players

• Oak Hill Cemetery (Georgetown): Historic 30-acre cemetery in Georgetown, Washington, D.C., founded 1848 and a National Historic Landmark. Direct local competitor for D.C. burial plots, historic-site tourism, and community programming.
• Rock Creek Cemetery: Historic active cemetery in Washington, D.C., also on the National Register of Historic Places. Regional competitor in the same D.C. market with overlapping burial, pet, and historic-site positioning; direct local competitor for plot sales and tours.

Others

• ICCFA (International Cemetery, Cremation & Funeral Association): Industry trade association of which the cemetery is a member. Provides industry benchmarking, peer networking, and continuing education for cemetery and funeral operators; an ecosystem participant rather than a competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/intent/post?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcongressionalcemetery.org%2F
• Facebookfacebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fcongressionalcemetery.org%2F
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/historic-congressional-cemetery

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Historic Congressional Cemetery