History of Westview Cemetery

Westview Cemetery has been serving Atlanta and the region’s surrounding community since 1884 with beauty, dignity and heritage. Our community’s rich tradition and history is beautifully preserved among acres of towering trees and winding roadways. Families representing all religions, cultures and walks of life have entrusted Westview Cemetery to preserve their unique family history in a tradition of compassion, integrity and excellence.

As one of the largest nonprofit cemeteries in the United States, and the largest cemetery in the Southeast with hundreds of undeveloped acres, Westview Cemetery will continue to provide future generations a place of beauty and respect to treasure the memories of those who have gone before.

Westview Cemetery is truly a historic place, for many of Atlanta’s pioneers are interred here. Asa G. Candler, founder of Coca-Cola; Hugh M. Dorsey, Governor of Georgia; Mayor William B. Hartsfield; Mayor I.N. Ragsdale; Noted newspaperman and author of the famous “Uncle Remus Stories” Joel Chandler Harris is also buried here.

Other well-known Southerners buried at Westview are Donald L. Hollowell, Vivian M. Jones, E.P. McBurney, Bishop Arthur Moore, G.V. Gress, donor of the Cyclorama to the city of Atlanta; L.P. Grant, who donated the land for Grant Park;  Robert Shaw, Rankin Smith, Robert Woodruff, Evelyn Lowery and many more.

In 1943, construction began on the Mausoleum and Abbey under the watchful eye of then president, Asa Candler. The mural of Faith, Hope, and Charity occupies a prominent place in the Abbey Chapel. In the Narthex, four of the Lord's parables are vividly portrayed on canvas.  These unparalleled paintings attest to the dedicated hands and minds that have made Westview Mausoleum the South's most famous shrine. There are 27 stained glass panels in this beautiful Chapel depicting the Life of Christ from the nativity through the crucifixion and the resurrection.  Westview Mausoleum is the largest structure of its kind ever built under one roof, containing space for 11,444 entombments and space for 1500 niches in the Garden Columbarium.

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