This cemetery is a beautiful natural place located on the side of a gentle hill centrally located in the City of Eugene. It has towering trees, native understory trees and plants, and an area of oak savanna. In addition, the cemetery has a historic mausoleum, Hope Abbey, which has been nearly restored to its original Egyptian Revival splendor.
Even though this is a Pioneer Cemetery and Mausoleum, it is fully functioning and has spaces available for coffin burial, cremains burial, and has a lovely designated Scatter Garden. I know this because I have three members of my family in their final resting places under a grand towering oak.
My family and I love this cemetery because it is picturesque and tranquil, because of its historical significance, and because it is a joy to walk on the many trails that are open to the public. We have planned for the future and will become “residents” …but with luck, exercise and a good diet at a much late date!
The Eugene Masonic Cemetery Association (EMCA) is the oldest operating cemetery in Eugene, dating to 1859. The EMCA was incorporated in 1995 to take over ownership and maintenance responsibilities from Eugene Masonic Lodge #11.
The property is 10 acres of trees, bushes and flowers with monuments throughout. Wildlife abounds. 2 1/2 miles of well maintained trails allow easy access to the hilly site. The imposing 100 year old Hope Abbey Mausoleum is a prominent landmark. Functionally, the cemetery is a defacto city park even though it's privately owned and receives no financial help from the City of Eugene.
The EMCA is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization with a totally volunteer Board of Directors. We have a budget in 2015 of about $100,000, the majority of which comes from the sale of lots, crypts and niches, as well as donations. The major expenditure is for payroll of our two part-time groundskeepers, plus our part-time administrator/sexton. Deductible contributions are always welcome, and can be made through PayPal via our website, or mailed to PO Box 5934, Eugene, OR, 97405.
Our website is available at eugenemasoniccemetery.org , and more information about the cemetery can be obtained by emailing to EMCA1859@gmail.com , or calling Sally Dietrich at (541) 684-0949.
The cemetery is located in SE Eugene with the main gate at 25th and Potter. The grounds are open from dawn to dusk each day. The Hope Abbey Mausoleum is normally closed, but is open to the public on the last Sunday of each month (except December) from 1 to 4 PM. During the months of June, July, August and September, we have a free music concert in Hope Abbey at 2 PM to which everyone is invited. Music genres vary widely, from classical to bluegrass to vocal.