Buzz
With over three million burials, Calvary Cemetery in Queens, New York, holds the title for the most bodies in any cemetery across the United States. It also happens to be one of my favorite spots to jog. From the summit of one of its undulating hills, you can pause and take in an uninterrupted view of gravestones stretching in every direction, all the way to where the rows of stones merge with the Manhattan skyline—a striking juxtaposition of life and death. It's an awe-inspiring sight. (The photo above was taken during one of my jogs while drafting this article).
Every time I go on one of my cemetery runs, I'm reminded of a moment from Fleabag where Fleabag’s sister scolds her, saying, “It’s really inappropriate to jog around a graveyard, flaunting your life.” Maybe you, or someone you know, has been reprimanded or even yelled at for running through a cemetery. And I can't help but question myself. Is there a fundamental disrespect in catching my breath among the quiet and the still?
A brief history of cemeteries
Cemeteries and parks share a long, intertwined history. In fact, cemeteries were among the first parks accessible to the American public. However, over time, cemeteries evolved from serving a public function to cultivating a more private image. (For a deeper dive into the captivating history of the death industry, I highly recommend Caitlin Doughty's Smoke Gets in Your Eyes & Other Lessons from the Crematory).
And now, as grim as it may sound, cemeteries are running out of space. This means they’ll need more resources to stay open and relevant. Mark Tresken writes for the Urban Institute that we should reconsider our view of cemeteries as solely reserved spaces and instead embrace their potential as places for the living:
In the United States, we often view cemeteries as private sanctuaries for reflection and mourning. But as cities seek innovative ways to better utilize existing infrastructure for their residents' benefit, cemeteries are increasingly taking on new roles...by welcoming the public, graveyards are “proving their continued importance and seeking the resources necessary to remain viable.”
So, can cemeteries serve the living? It seems that many runners and non-runners alike believe so.
Rethinking the role of cemeteries
Emma Stern, the director of programs at Laurel Hill Cemetery in Philadelphia, may have put it best during an interview with Runner’s World when she said that her cemetery is “as much for the living as for the dead.”
Experts agree: Just show respect
When discussing the ethics of running through cemeteries, Slinger mentioned they’ve “never heard of using cemeteries for exercise being taboo.” They added that they wouldn’t jog past an ongoing graveside service, but wouldn’t even walk by one either. For joggers being mindful of the space, the only concern that crossed Slinger’s mind was people failing to clean up after their dogs.
I also spoke with a clerk from the Calvary Cemetery office in Queens (who preferred to remain anonymous), and they mentioned that while running is “technically against the rules in almost every cemetery,” it’s generally accepted. From their point of view, there isn’t a significant ethical issue with joggers as long as they remain respectful.
The Calvary Cemetery clerk also pointed out that the cemetery's size matters – since Calvary is so vast, it’s easy to run without encountering another (living) person. There’s plenty of room to avoid disturbing any services or visitors at a grave.
What should you do if you choose to run in cemeteries?
Check with the guidelines of your local cemetery. As highlighted by the Calvary Cemetery clerk, several privately owned cemeteries may indicate running restrictions on the premises (like at the renowned Green-Wood Cemetery, for example). Yet, there's often an unspoken tolerance toward such rules. Many cemeteries don't enforce a clear stance (at least, not publicly online), but that doesn't give you the right to assume jogging is allowed, especially on private land.
Exhibit common courtesy. As mentioned by Stern in his Runner's World interview, “all of the runners stay on the paved road. It’s not like they’re running through the graves.” If you're respectful of your surroundings, a run through a cemetery doesn’t have to be offensive. This means adjusting your route to avoid disturbing mourners, and if you do cross paths with one, consider taking a brief walking pause as a respectful gesture.
Finally, my advice is to remove your headphones when running among the deceased, allowing you to concentrate fully on your run as a tribute to being alive.
