Our Cemetery

River Bend Cemetery has been serving our community, with great pride and respect, for over one hundred and fifty years.

Where Tradition Meets Tomorrow

Designed to be part of the rural cemetery movement of the mid 1800’s, River Bend Cemetery was incorporated in 1849. Early on, families found it desirable to move their loved ones from small family graveyards to this beautiful park-like setting along the scenic Pawcatuck River. The cemetery features wonderful landscaping and outstanding examples of monuments from Westerly granite made by local artisans.

Originally called Elm Grove Cemetery, “River Bend’ was thought to be more appropriate due to its location on the eastern bank of the Pawcatuck River.

A cemetery tour will reveal a unique tale of the people and events that made this community so special over the last two hundred years. For example, hundreds of war veterans from the Civil War, the two World Wars, and up to the present, are interred at River Bend. Two Congressional Medal of Honor winners are buried here. The monuments tell many stories of local politicians, doctors, preachers, and even untimely deaths like accidents, and hurricanes.

In a wider sense, River Bend tells the story of our community in art and memory. The cemetery abounds with magnificent granite carvings created by artists and their descendents, brought to the area to work in the granite industry. Some monuments are large and intricate, others are small and delicate. They are all works of art and labors of love.

Throughout history, River Bend Cemetery has always been dedicated to maintaining this property as a beautiful river landscape with ever-evolving plans for improvements in horticultural aspects, as well as maintenance and upkeep of roads and buildings. The cemetery is a beautiful place to celebrate the life of a deceased loved one in a tranquil and caring environment.