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CANCELED DUE TO WEATHER: Consolations of Memory
October 18 @ 9:30 am – 4:00 pm
THIS EVENT HAS BEEN CANCELED DUE TO SEVERE WEATHER. A NEW DATE HAS NOT YET BEEN SET. PLEASE CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES!
Consolations of Memory at Bellefontaine Cemetery, Saturday, October 18, 2025
The Saint Louis Mourning Society presents “Consolations of Memory” with the support of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. This event isn’t like other fall cemetery tours. Rather than portraying the spirits of those buried at Bellefontaine Cemetery, we portray the living, breathing people of the era who were left behind to mourn the loss of a loved one.
Consolation of Memory is a guided cemetery walk around Historic Hotchkiss Chapel. Each year focuses on a different topic related to life, death, and mourning in the mid-19th century. During the tour, guests will learn about tragic events in St. Louis’ history, funeral and burial practices, and how the dead were remembered by those left behind to mourn. The tour is followed immediately by a funeral reenactment, procession, and burial service.
2025’s tour will focus on the reinternment of Dr. Bernard Farrar who passed in the 1849 Cholera outbreak in St. Louis. In 1862, he was laid to rest at Bellefontaine Cemetery.
Arrive at Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum at our main gates located at 4947 W. Florissant. Once inside the gates follow directional signage to the event parking. Registration will direct you to transportation to the Mourning Society event location.
This is a free event. Tours take place at 9:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., and 1:30 p.m. Space is limited, so be sure to register for one of these tours here today!
Register Now!
There are different tour times from which you can choose. Registration is required, so please sign up for your preferred tour time by clicking on one of the links below.
- Tour 1: 9:30 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., sold out!
- Tour 1: 9:45 a.m. until 12:00 p.m., sold out!
- Tour 2: 11:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., sold out!
- Tour 2: 11:45 a.m. until 2:00 p.m., sold out!
- Tour 3: 1:30 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., sold out!
- Tour 3: 1:45 p.m. until 4:00 p.m., sold out!
Make a Gift
Tours are free, however, donations to the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery are gratefully accepted.
About the Mourning Society
The Mourning Society of St Louis is a civilian reenacting group with an interest in mourning, death culture, spiritualism, and the funeral customs of the mid-nineteenth century through the early twentieth century. Visit mourningsociety.com to find out more!
