Save Austin's Cemeteries is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to preserving historic cemeteries in Austin through documentation, preservation, and education and promoting them as local and state cultural resources. Dale Flatt founded Save Austin's Cemeteries in 2004 when he saw the need for a higher level of maintenance at Oakwood Cemetery. Since then, SAC has been actively participating in the preservation efforts at the seven city cemeteries.
Accomplishments & focus areas:
SAC has worked hard for over a decade with Austin city officials to help craft the adopted Cemetery Master Plan and will continue to monitor and assist with its implementation.
The Oakwood Cemetery Chapel Rehabilitation project was initiated by SAC over 10 years ago when we recognized the urgent need to restore the 1914 chapel. SAC paid for the initial, comprehensive studies and led grassroots efforts to get the project underway.
We are a point of contact for families who are out of the area who need help contacting the Austin Cemetery Division and those needing help with photos and research.
With our free Historic Walking Tours, guest speakers, and our outreach programs like foot-stone resetting and gravestone photo documenting, we help share the city cemeteries with the public, tell family stories, and highlight that our cemeteries are outdoor museums.
We research and collect family stories and photographs, and we highlight these stories though educational programs to convey that the City Cemeteries occupy an important place in Austin’s heritage.
SAC thoroughly document and monitor the conditions of the gravestones, lots, and surroundings.
We represent the descendants of the “residents’ of the city cemeteries by attending meetings with the Austin Cemetery Division to provide a voice for important topics like cemetery rules, rehabilitation projects and issues needing resolution.
Partners in preservation:
Save Austin's Cemeteries extends its sincerest gratitude to the following supporters:
Discount Electronics
Discount Electronics, a leading national retailer of used Dell computers and laptops, has generously provided a laptop computer used by SAC for our comprehensive photo documentation.
Certified Local Government Program of the Texas Historical Commission:
Awarded the City of Austin in partnership with SAC a $7,600 matching grant in May 2012 for restoring the roof of the small building in the Oakwood Cemetery Annex.
Heimsath Architects:
Ben Heimsath and his studio team created a feasibility study for the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel Restoration project on a pro bono basis.
The Charles and Betti Saunders Foundation:
Pat, Steve, Kate and Ian Saunders donated $3,500 in 2009 that went towards the engineering design drawings for the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel's foundation repair. The Foundation also provided a $6,000 unrestricted donation in 2016.
National Trust for Historic Preservation:
Awarded SAC with a $2,360 matching grant from the Fondren Endowed Fund received in October 2007 for conducting a building condition assessment and materials analysis on the Oakwood Cemetery Chapel.
Frequently Asked questions:
What does SAC stand for?
SAC is the acronym for Save Austin's Cemeteries.
Which Cemeteries are the City Cemeteries?
Austin Memorial Park, Evergreen, Oakwood, Oakwood Annex, and Plummers
What city department manages the city cemeteries? Who is responsible for maintenance at the cemeteries?
The city cemeteries come under Austin Parks & Recreation Department (PARD), Cemeteries Division. www.austintexas.gov/cemeteries
Who do I contact to buy a cemetery plot?
Contact the City of Austin Cemetery Administrative Office at 512-978-2320. The office is located at 2800 Hancock Dr. Austin, TX 78731 and is open weekdays 8am-5pm and Saturday 10am-2pm.
I have family members buried at the city cemeteries, who should I contact with updated contact information?
You can fill out SAC's Plot Owner’s Contact Form, and we will update the descendant’s database we maintain and also pass along your information to the Cemetery Office.
What are the rules and regulations for the city cemeteries?
The current rules are available here.
Where can I view Austin’s Cemetery Master Plan?
SAC has worked hard for over a decade with Austin City Staff, contractors, and master plan team to help craft the adopted Cemetery Master Plan and SAC will continue to monitor and assist with implementation and preservation projects. The plan is available at: www.austintexas.gov/cmp
How do I get my family tombstone leveled, reset, or repaired?
SAC has worked with several professional stone conservators. Send an email to: info@sachome.org for information and recommendations.
What other cemeteries are located in Austin or Travis County?
The Austin Genealogical Society (AGS) maintains a list of cemeteries in Travis County at: www.austintxgensoc.org/cemeteries/index.php