Established in 1852, St. Michael’s Cemetery is one of the oldest religious, nonprofit cemeteries in the New York City. Located in the borough of Queens, St. Michael’s is open to people of all faiths, and as a service to the borough’s diverse constituency, continues to provide burial space for individuals and families from all classes, religions and ethnicities. However, according to the company’s Director of Community Relations, Ed Horn, “St. Michael’s will never be a warehouse to the past, but ever a living participant to the community.”
Here are some of the amazing things St. Michael’s does:
1.TOYS FOR TOTS—Each year St. Michael’s endeavors to make the upcoming Holiday Season joyful for needy children by collecting presents for this distinguished annual charity. The 2015 event will be held on Saturday, December 19 at 2:00 p.m. at All Souls Chapel and feature entertainment by Hank Johnson of Jazz Bone Records.
2. LIVING 9/11 MEMORIAL—St. Michael’s is the only NYC cemetery with a 9/11 memorial, dedicated to the 343 FDNY who died at the World Trade Center from effects of working that day.
3. REMEMBER ME RUN—St. Michael’s Cemetery hosts an annual 2-mile “Remember Me Run” in honor and celebration of those who died working on “the pile” at the World Trade Center. Etched in bricks as part of the site, are their names. This “living” memorial will continue to grow, continuously updated with additional bricks of people who fall victim to the persistent harm caused by the attacks. Funds raised by the run are donated to the children of fallen first responders, and has expanded to additional charities in the last few years.
4. SCOTT JOPLIN MEMORIAL CONCERT & BBQ—St. Michael’s hosts a yearly FREE concert and BBQ, dedicated to its most famous resident, the legendary ragtime jazz pianist, Scot Joplin, buried at the cemetery in 1917. Maple Leaf Rag was Joplin’s signature creation, one he’d hoped would be played when he was interred at St. Michael’s. But for whatever reason Joplin’s wife refused to honor her husband’s wishes. Years afterwards, a group of Brooklyn musicians honored Joplin by playing Maple Leaf Rag at his gravesite and dedicated a plaque to the renowned artist to mark his gravesite. The 1973 movie, “The Sting,” renewed interest in the composer by featuring a soundtrack of Joplin’s work, including “The Entertainer.” It subsequently won an Academy Award for Original Score. Vince Giordano and his Nighthawks Orchestra will be performing at this year’s event on May 21, 2016.
5. 10% DOWN PRE-NEED—St. Michael’s offers interest- and tax-free pre-need services for 3-5 years (depending on property) for as little as 10 percent down. It’s a unique feature that speaks of the Cemetery’s caring for the community and desire to provide an added degree of “peace of mind” to people during a most fragile time in their lives.
For more information of all the great services St. Michael’s offers and events it hosts, go to www.stmichaelscemetery.com. Or call 718-278-3240.
