Take A Virtual Tour

A walk through Bonaventure Cemetery is an experience like no other. No matter what the season, something is always in bloom as majestic magnolias and moss-draped live oaks beckon visitors to linger over tranquil views of the Wilmington River, lush greenery and superb statuary.

In Victorian America (1837-1901), the bereaved used motifs, symbols and icons to honor their deceased loved ones and provide comfort in a time of grief. Accordingly, many of the monuments and gravestones in Bonaventure contain personal, genealogical, religious and historic facts about the deceased. For example, a Bible or book often appears on the gravestones of clergymen or the devoutly religious. Books can also represent a person's good deeds and accomplishments recorded in the book of life. Another common symbol, a broken bud or branch, symbolizes an untimely or premature death, and is often found on a young person’s headstone. A draped or broken column represents the break from earthly to heavenly life.

Bonaventure is rich with this iconography and no online tour can compare to the power of seeing it in person. We encourage you to visit the cemetery or take a guided tour.