About Riverview Cemetery
Our Mission
Operating as a non-denominational and non-sectarian establishment, the mission of the association shall be to provide a stately and dignified setting sacredly devoted to the interment of the dead and to perpetuate the honor and memory of those interred in Riverview Cemetery
Our Beginning
In 1826, Jefferson City became Missouri’s permanent capital city. As the population of Jefferson City and its surrounding area grew, so did the need for additional interment space. As a result, an 80 acre tract of land was acquired in 1906 to serve as a cemetery to meet future interment needs. The cemetery was operated by the Jefferson City Cemetery Association until 1955 at which time it was transferred to The Riverview Cemetery Association, a registered 501(c)(13) not-for-profit organization.
Our Governing Body
The board of directors of The Riverview Cemetery Association serves as the governing body of the cemetery. The directors consist of an elected group of dedicated volunteers who receive no compensation for their services. The directors oversee a professional and caring staff who are responsible for the day-to-day operation of the cemetery and upkeep of its buildings and grounds. The directors and staff are committed to engaging in activities and projects that are fiscally responsible, strategically focused and always beneficial to Riverview Cemetery.
Our Sacred Setting
Riverview Cemetery serves as a sacred setting reflecting the honor and dignity befitting the approximately 11,000 loved ones interred in this stately and serene cemetery. Encompassing 80 acres with 1.7 miles of paved roadways, the cemetery is beautifully designed and landscaped to create an atmosphere of peace and tranquility.
The picturesque grounds consist of an abundance of mature trees and open meadow-like areas inhabited by a variety of wildlife. Walking on the cemetery’s tree-lined roadways or discovering the unique architecture of stately monuments and memorials, Riverview Cemetery offers a peaceful and park like setting. Both local residents and distant travelers reflect, meditate and pray in Riverview Cemetery and keep green the memory of their departed loved ones.
Our Rich History
The final resting places of every individual interred in Riverview Cemetery compose a sweeping patchwork of history, telling the story of this region from its beginning to as we know it today. Declared a Jefferson City Historic Landmark, Riverview Cemetery reflects our rich history and provides an important perspective in bringing a connection from which we came.
Serving as the final resting places of persons from all walks of life, including Missouri governors, notable historic figures and other prominent individuals, exploring the cemetery grounds offers an insight into the historical context of Riverview Cemetery and those interred here. This historic cemetery provides an opportunity to learn more about our ancestors and is an excellent resource for genealogical research. Riverview Cemetery is always looking ahead to preserve our history and serves as an enduring tribute to every loved one interred in this sacred resting place.
For more history, please see the History section of the website. This section includes a more detailed history of the cemetery in addition to biographies of many individuals buried at the cemetery..