Bohemian National Cemetery

96 reviews

5255 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60630

bnca1877.org

+17735398442

About

Bohemian National Cemetery is a Cemetery located at 5255 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60630. It has received 96 reviews with an average rating of 3.8 stars.

Photos

Hours

Monday8:30AM-3PM
Tuesday8:30AM-3PM
WednesdayClosed
ThursdayClosed
Friday8:30AM-3PM
Saturday8:30AM-3PM
Sunday8:30AM-3PM

F.A.Q

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The address of Bohemian National Cemetery: 5255 N Pulaski Rd, Chicago, IL 60630

  • Bohemian National Cemetery has 3.8 stars from 96 reviews

  • Cemetery

  • "One thing for certain if I can give zero stars, I most definitely would one reason is because the woman who work here is incredibly unprofessional"

    "I would give zero stars if I could"

    "One of the most beautiful cemeteries in Chicago -- listed on the National Register of Historic Places"

    "This place wasn't in good shape"

    "If I can give 20 stars I would! Bob did so great handling my sweet baby May"

Reviews

  • Bianca Perez

One thing for certain if I can give zero stars, I most definitely would one reason is because the woman who work here is incredibly unprofessional. Secondly, if I known what I know now I wouldn’t have never have my beloved, one buried here the men who work here as well we’re obviously not trained by a professional, or may be slept through the training process. It has not been a year since my loved one passed away, and there’s already been plenty of incidents where the trash. The tomb stones of my loved one I don’t except this. And these people need to be fired, and they need to hired real professionals who are really gonna take this Job come on now we’re talking about the deceased if they hate this job so much and as heartless as they are doing the things that they shouldn’t be doing to Graves throwing trash, not cleaning up after it is incredibly ridiculous to me and it’s me picking up the same trash that I seen the week and it’s not only my loved ones that I’m picking up after it’s other people as well who have passed away that I’m picking up after now. I don’t know if their families come and visit them off then oh what it is but these people do not do their job because from what I know when I visit other cemeteries with my loved ones they clean the cemetery every week they don’t leave dead flowers they don’t leave trash everywhere they don’t leave their trashcan for for months at a time just piling up with trash and if you’ve been here recently then you know exactly what I’m talking about and I hope others will stand up and approach this situation as well or they won’t change .

  • Jen HF

I would give zero stars if I could. I purchased a headstone and foundation for my great aunt's gravesite and my experience was HORRIBLE! Bohemian National cashed my check and then lied to me about purchasing the headstone. I had tried contacting my salesperson Miroslawa Tchoryk MANY times when the headstone could not be located and never received any calls back. The worst part of it is that they lied about it being at the cemetery and would continually give me the round around when I asked for the location of it. Finally, I had to resort to threatening with legal action to receive a refund. On another note, it is heartbreaking for me to visit this historic and once beautiful cemetery. It is in complete disrepair! There are broken headstones, large trees/branches down everywhere and the roads are full of holes. This is on the US National Register of Historic Places...we won't have it much longer if the current owners continue with their management style.
Visited on
Weekday
Wait time
No wait
Reservation recommended
No
Price for adult entry
Free

  • George Borrow

One of the most beautiful cemeteries in Chicago -- listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Originally founded to provide a burial ground for those whom the local Polish Catholic priest refused to bury, it is the final resting place for people of both Bohemian extraction and Bohemian sensibilities, ethnic bohemians and freethinkers, with funerary art honoring the dead and expressing human grief rather than the flaunted extremist and exclusionary religious sensibilities that one sometimes encounters at other cemeteries. Which is not to suggest that religious burials are unwelcome -- they truly welcome everyone, and provide a place for everyone to rest in peace. A unique burial ground that is great to visit, and the sort of place where one wouldn't mind lingering for years and years and years.

  • Samuel Kelley

This place wasn't in good shape. There seems to be very little in the way of groundskeeping. There were broken tree limbs everywhere (including on top of gravestones and inlaid plaques.) There was trash all over the cemetery, including around gravestones. Many of the gravestones were broken, fallen over, or completely desecrated. My great grandparents are buried here and I'm fortunate that they're lot wasn't damaged, however, their 2 year old's lot's gravestone was broken from its base and the base itself was pushed from the lot several inches. The mowing crew that was there seemed to not be very careful or cautious with their riding mowers, seemingly speeding through their job. (Probably how a lot of the lots were damaged.) The owners seem to not care about this cemetery.

  • Diana Garzon

If I can give 20 stars I would! Bob did so great handling my sweet baby May. I was originally going to take her to a clinic but I thank God for Bob. He was the only one handling my sweet girl from the beginning to end. It made me feel more connected and personal about my baby passing. It was already very difficult having to deal with my girl passing so he made the cremation process very easy for me to hand her to him. Here in this picture I’ve added a few things to my babies memorial service. To Bob, Thank you for allowing me and my family to take our time with our last final goodbyes. Thank you for handling our MayMay with great soft care. If you have a fur baby please do not hesitant to bring them here! Very inexpensive and respectful!

  • Maciej W.

5/7/20 we had a funeral for a close friend. I don’t know where to begin with how disrespectful the “bigger guy” was that we later might have found out was the president of the cemetery. During our prayer he ran up cussing and told us to leave and saying what we think we are doing here. He later went on saying to hurry up because he has 100 other bodies to burry after this. I cannot wrap my head around how someone can ruin a persons funeral like that. Zero respect and compassion. That was completely unacceptable and i will be going further into this making sure he is no longer working there. Also not to mention the stones they ran over right in front of us with their trucks and didn’t have enough respect to fix and put into place

  • Greg Bailey

Beautiful Cemetery. Family is there. The experience of trying to get a headstone has been intense AND painful. The two women behind the counter are ALWAYS INTENSE AND TREAT YOU LIKE THEY DON'T HAVE TIME FOR YOU. Had to make three appointments to even TALK about how to get a gravestone. It just really makes you uncomfortable, like you're inconveniencing them I don't want anyone to lose their job, but a little "customer service" goes a long way. I don't think they even realize how they make people feel. Dealing with burying a loved one is hard enough, why should I have to put up with being treated this way?? They are not selling car parts, THEY ARE SELLING GRAVESTONES! BE NICE AND TAKE TIME FOR YOUR GRIEVING "CUSTOMERS"!

  • Ernest Anderson

Was visiting relatives with my wife on March 14, 2020. Like others writing reviews, we noticed the alarming number of headstones that fell over. We even saw an unsafe marker that is about 8 feet high that fell over and leaning on another tall marker. Some areas were flooded and headstones were piled on top of each other from the water and grounds shifting. The grounds are full of leaves and tree branches everywhere and numerous potholes on the roadways throughout the cemetery. I've seen train wrecks not as bad as the condition this cemetery is in. Bohemian National Cemetery is an excellent candidate for the evening news for not maintatining this wonderful historic cemetary!!

  • Cassandra Alvarado

We have had a great experience here(BOHEMIAN NATIONAL CEMETERY) Our family dog passed, and since it is cemetery and a animal crematory,(they are separated buildings for humans and animals) we brought our "Sadie". Bob treated us great! Never rushed us, understood that we wanted our final goodbyes.. and was just an all around courteous man. They're cremation packages were very well priced and had alot of different things included w them, and then, when we picked up her ashes today, he surprised us w a "garden gift". A ceramic puppy w wings.. as a memory stone in our yard.. it was perfect!! I would tell anyone if they're looking for a good place for their pets. This is it..

  • Joshua Hoover

This is a beautiful, quiet, and serene cemetery on the outskirts of Chicago that do not give off the "city feel". It reminds me of backwoods Ohio with the birds and crickets and tons of tree cover for shade. The history inside the main center is enthralling. My grandfather and siblings are buried here as part of their Czech heritage. I recently visited and it gave me the same comfortable vibe I got when I last visited over 10 years ago. The only advice I would give is to the grounds keepers. There were many knocked over headstones and the place definitely needed the attention of a weed whacker. Other than that, the architecture and energy was on point.. for a cemetery ☺️

  • Gloria Nieves

I’ve been coming to see Bob, for a couple years already. He cremated a few of our Guinea pigs. And recently our Bunny Snickers. Let me tell you. Bob is so friendly he really cares for our animals.The way he comes up with ideas on how to capture our animals, in these precious moments. It’s amazing. Here I’ll upload a picture of ashes from our Bunny Snickers. Omgoodness tears were coming down because as i open the keepsake box. It’s like opening a treasure box of memories from his fur, whiskers, prints of his paws and nose. Also we got necklaces with his ashes. I’m so thankful. Even in the holidays with an ornament. How cool is that. Thanks Bob. Appreciate you.

  • Summer Jeanine

The most disgraceful, SICK, IMMORAL, place I have EVER heard of in my life! Profiting from a HORROR show on the sacred grounds of OUR loved ones? Profiting / advertising the grounds HUMAN BEINGS are buried and RESTING at to gain fame? My family is getting a lawyer, I hope others whom loved ones are at rest on these grounds will too! I am so beyond words! Security will be there they say...its not on the tombstone area they say...ITS OUR FAMILIES WE ENTRUSTED YOU WITH! THIS IS NOT A MOVIE THEATRE OR ENTERTAINMENT CENTER!!! ITS OUR FAMILIES FINAL SACRED RESTING PLACE! BURN IN HELL FOR THIS YOU MONEY HUNGRY SICK PEOPLE! KARMA WILL GET YOU BACK ONE DAY!

  • LIZ C.

Went to visit the cemetery December 29th 2019 at 2pm it had rained the night before and noticed that the Cemetery is Flooded the roads and Cemetery yards and dry rotted trees and broken branches in the road and because of the flooding & unkept Cemetery Grounds there are Several headstones that have fallen over. It was Horrible it was very very creepy with all the things that I had saw. I had called the Bohemian National Cemetery on Monday December 30th 2019 the lady answered the phone could not speak good English at all. I told me to call back another day because she couldn't even answer my Questions. Someone needs to take over the Cemetery

  • Katherine Konopasek

Love this cemetery, great history and grounds. I have two generations of Bohemian ancestors buried there. The office staff is most helpful. The revival of the July picnic is very important to our history and it is also fun. They serve delicious food for a very good price and parking is free. The Eastland Memorial section is well done and worth the visit for Chicago history buffs. My grandmother shared how the picnics were so important and this was in the 1920s and 1930s. It is a family honoring environment. Cubs fans-you really should check the Cubs fan burial section out.

  • Bill Larson

I was unaware that they did pet cremation services until my beloved dig Bandit passed last week. I called and spoke to Bob. Turns out Bob runs the entire process. I was a mess Friday and transporting my dog there was not easy, I was blown away at Bobs compassion and it made me feel so much better knowing Bob was handling everything. At pick up of the ashes yesterday Bob had everything laid out and thoroughly went over everything and treated the ashes with reverence and compassion. Bob is fantastic and don’t think anyone could do it better than Bob. I Highly recommend !

  • Kevin Tvrdik

My father passed last year and one of the most difficult aspects was the small service we held at Bohemian National. The property itself looks like something out of a Tim Burton movie-scary and not very well maintained, with crumbling roads and dead, broken trees everywhere. The people working there were late to the service to go to the actual gravesite and were completely unprepared. The actual placement of the urn into the ground had to be done by myself, kneeling in the frozen mud in a suit. Very unprofessional all around.

  • Eric Balter

Went there to visit relatives on my maternal grandmothers side of the family. There are some nice areas and history to the grounds. However I was appalled at the number of headstones that had fallen over and were just left to lay there and the sheer amount of disarray. Not well kept at all. Gaggles of geese were everywhere too. Also the office was closed during visitors hours so i had to find what I was looking for on my own. The 2 stars I gave is very generous in my opinion.

  • Susan Hickey

First of all, it is NOT a Polish cemetery! It is one of Czech and Slovak (mainly Lutheran) heritage! It started when a Czech woman was not allowed to be buried in a Catholic cemetery because she did not have confession before she dies in the late 1900's. . It is a national landmark and has some of the most beautiful grave markers done by well known Czech sculptures. I am glad that my relative are there and they have been always great to work with when I have had the chance.

  • Lisa Abrahamsen

Our cat was 16yrs old and passed at home. My mother was devastated. We didn't know where to go or how to handle. I found bob online and read all the reviews and made 100s of calls. Several vets told me about him. He answered every call and answered all my questions. Our tia passed away on a Sunday and he told us to come right in. He was very kind and supportive. He helped us and made us very at ease. Bob just lost his dog and understood our pain. We rate 5 stars. Thank you

  • Dawn H

The grounds are a mess, roads within the cemetery are filled with holes and I've been promised several times that they would have my Grandmothers headstone engraved and they still have not done it. She will be gone a year in June. All I get is excuses. They women in the office are rude and useless. I have never had to deal with such poor service and lack of concern for your family member. As, a national cemetery you'd think it would be beautiful and historic.

  • Jacquie Kubin

I came from Maryland to visit family. Can't get into the cemetery No one answers the phone. When I got one women, she would not help me. Said to call back, but when I call back I get the answering machine. Really someone needs to take over so that people can visit family graves and get information without being snarled at. I am from Chicago. I understand older Polish people. I am becoming one. We should maybe not be in service jobs?

  • Deborah Garcia

Bringing my girl to this cemetery was the best decision I could have made for my loss. Bob was super kind and respectful to her body and my family during our grieving time. He really topped it off by placing our girl in a special urn instead of the general container. I am at ease knowing she was respected and cared for by Bob. I highly recommend this crematory, plus it was affordable during these hard times. Thank you Bob!!

  • liz liza

TRUE STORY: about two years toward the back of this grave yard (toward northeastern) an infant baby was re dug up from the ground and was wrapped in a white blanket and laying on the floor and flies were swarming it so that was the terrible experience I had and no one was ever held accountable for this ... but aside from the terrible job maintaining this cemetery, it contains amazing stories and artifacts im a history buff.

  • Sam Dumash

This is by far the worst cemetery I have ever seen or experienced. Staff are worthless and unhelpful! Mira is the person in charge and she is absolutely useless! Instead of getting her job done all she did was promise empty promises. My father was buried in January we are in May now and still no tombstone! Plus the whole place looks disgusting and dirty. No one is helpful! DO NOT BURY YOUR LOVED ONES HERE!!!

  • SirSnick3rs

Sadly our dog currently passed away Dec-2-2020 and wanted her ashes because we got her since I was in first grade and saw me graduate high school. We called this place and the service was easy, no attitude, no complications. Nice man, he even gave us a little something free because he notice how much we cared about this dog. Much love to that guy. 10/10 would recommend if you want your dogs ashes or anybody.

  • Maricela Loredo

Bob was friendly, compassionate and caring. He made this heartbreaking moment easier to process for our family. Our fur baby was treated with kindness, respect & dignity. He also has very affordable prices as we were calling others and unfortunately we needed something that wouldn’t exhaust our wallet. He even added extra paw prints for free. Thank you Bob for taking such good care of our May May!!

  • Jeff May

We brought our dog Casanova there . Bob was very friendly and could tell we had just lost our furry kid . He took such great care explaining everything to my wife Kathy and I . We were very pleased with the services and how the paw prints came out . Bob is a great guy and a big pet lover . 5 stars
Visited on
Weekend
Wait time
Up to 10 min
Reservation recommended
Not sure

  • vfatima100

My son was burried in dec 2014 and still no sing of level stone , the ladies responsible to do is taking so much time putting things together some times she wants the written copy , some times she wants word document or excel and above all she needs a scanned copy of the script to be written on stone, they are really not type of people who has emotions for the feelings of the deceased.

  • 2AverageNoobs

Horrible horrible owner. We were in the middle of a burial and he comes, steps on the grave and starts swearing and yelling at us to leave because there was more than 10 people. We had masks and were not close to each other. We then all started leaving, and he started talking sh*t to us and kept enticing us. Horrible cemetery, and rude owner. FTO

  • kourtney parker

Our dog Hawk passed away on a Monday evening. We srambled to find a servie that doesn't just pick up and dispose. Bohemian National went above and beyond to help us say goodbye. Paw prints, charms, fur and cremated remains were all part of our package. By Friday we all had things from Hawk to cherish.

  • Life is beautiful

Today we had a bad experience, it was just a waste of time ! My friend couldn't find her husband's grave, we called their office, ,they got tou s one hour later and stsrter looking forgot. They should put numbers on the graves so we can see them. BAD management, they should do better.

  • Rebecca Enriquez

I would rate 0 stars, my mom was buried 2 years ago, her headstone was place on the wrong spot, I called the office multiple times and was informed they would fix the issue, a year later and it’s still not resolve. Please save your energy and don’t use Bohemians services!

  • Samantha LaRue

My 14yr old nugget passed away .. Bob went above and beyond for us..he took good care of my fur baby... I would definitely recommend this cemetery to anyone whom lost an animal.. Thank you bob for making tbis process easier for my family we will forever be grateful...

  • Md Wasim Khan

I guess this is the oldest cemetery in Chicago. I went there for a Hindu last rites. Although the place could use some maintenance and renovations you cannot take away the meaningful calm of the place. The manager is a very nice guy and the staff is very nice too.

  • Jerry Chilik

Our family's headstone fell down in 2016, as of yesterday March 7, 2020, it's still down. Repeated calls are a total waste of time. Promises were made to raise it and never completed. Additionally, two beautiful pine trees next to where it stood were cut down.

  • Roger Carag

I thank Bob for taking good care of our dog Jackie. Jackie passed away suddenly Friday night and all the places were closed till Monday. He was able to accommodate us when all other places were closed for the weekend. Will be going to him for future services.

  • Cristina Kovacs

This is one of the most beautiful (and oldest) cemeteries in Chicago. My father passed away 11 years ago, and we didn't have a family cemetery so we visited a lot of them. Sometimes the upkeep is not great, but it is nice and peaceful away from street noise.

  • Nama Haqu

MY MOTHER DIED IN JULY 13 AND BARRED ON JULY 14 WE CANT PUT ANY FENECH AND NO FLOWERS WE ARE MUSLIM WHEN FUNERAL COME THEY WALK OVER THE GRAVE HOW CAN SOMEBODY WALK OVER THE GRAVE THIS IS VERY BAD I WILL FORWARD THIS CITY OF CHICAGO TO TAKE FURTHER ACTION

  • Jamila Kay

Bob was amazing. He was so kind and pleasant to work with. We lost our puppy Ruffles and Bob made sure he made us comfortable through the process. He provided all types of trinkets to give us memories. I would recommend Bob to anyone who loses a pet.

  • S Berzack

We want to thank Bob for his companionship for taking such good care of our dog, Lucy. (Passed away Aug. 25, 2022.) Everything included in her box were beautiful and very much appreciated. Would highly recommend Bob for your all your pets needs.

  • Patricia Smith

My family (on my mother's side) has been interred here since early 1900s. It is good to be able to visit my forebears in quiet, beautiful surroundings in the middle of the busy city. Eventually my husband and I will join them-it gives us peace.

  • Wendy Conquest

I went to see where my grandfather is buried and there was confusion where he was. The staff went overboard to help unravel a family mystery. The language and cultural differences need to be accounted for but the staff truly do care.

  • Alkaline Queen

Those people are so unprofessional I never been so rudely handled in my life considering the fact that are dealing with deceased people & their family members I would think more compassion and professionalism would be enforced..

  • Ruben Jimenez

Brought my Gemma here to be cremated. Bob took care of my family. He made us feel special bu placing our girl in a special urn. Thank you Bob. You did a great job! I feel happy to know my girl was in good caring hands.

  • David Diaz

I had my dog gotti a red nose pitbull for 12 years n I took him here and I recommend this guy to anyone he is a blessing to all animals he took care of my dog n now I get to bring him home god bless this place

  • Norti Ponce de Leon

They cremated my Father without letting us know! We specifically told them to let us know before they cremate him so that we can have a prayer but they did not do it and I had to call to find out! AWFUL PLACE!

  • Mireya Espana

My fury baby passed on today, I am heartbroken. Mr. Bob was so kind and helped us with arrangements to cremate my little Daisy. Many thanks Mr. Bob for your work and compassion.

  • ashley tolbert

Very beautiful cemetery that needs repair, specifically the roads,and proper upkeep. My daughter is in the mausoleum and it’s always trash everywhere and grass barely cut …

  • Ellery R

Mom’s with kids, it’s a great place to walk if you want to avoid the city garbage on the ground and dog feces everywhere. Yes it’s a little run down, but still a nice walk.

  • S C

They disrespected our grandfathers grave by placing wood planks and concrete on my grandpa's grave. Very disrespectful. We did not get this land for free.

  • Tam Win

It says it opens at 7:30 am. 8:00 still not open. Finally got in to put the Xmas cross only to find last year's still there.

  • Darlene Covone

It's a beautiful, restful place. Old monuments, shady trees, geese, alot of history. I love going to visit my family there.

  • Jalal Nasir

Good cemetery... Affordable... Rip to all those that have past and buried there.... God give my mom a high place in heaven

  • JJ Gotcha

RUDEST, SLOWEST STAFF EVER. ZERO customer service. ZERO. You're dealing with grieving people. Try to make an effort!!

  • chucky antol

bob service is 10 out 10 would recommon him to anyone he does the best pet cremation in the Chicagoland area

  • Celeste Budwit-Hunter

You have cemetery hours listed, and shorter access hours listed. Does access refer to visiting the grounds?

  • Patrick Dell

Saw moon duo in the cathedral. What an incredible place to experience live music. So beautiful. Thank you.

  • DEBORAH DOMBROWSKI

Bob was so kind to us, he gave us alot more that what we paid for. Would definitely recommend the place.

  • Rick Drew

Older cemetery, seems a bit neglected at times. Some really interesting and unusual graves.

  • Ray Unseitig

Uncle Louis passed on from flu in 1918 he was first to go in this family.

  • Katherine Andres

Great service. Bob was very kind about the loss of our beloved pet Zoey.

  • Daniel Bargas

Bob did a wonderful job with my baby. Thank you Bob for your hard work.

  • Sarah Schroeder

Nice service yesterday upstairs in the domed building, thanks again.

  • CDR Cdr

In the Chicago. Clean. Very restful. A bit of history.

  • Eliud Gonzalez

I know there's a lot of people dying to go in there

  • samer hussein

Such a mess . Irresponsible and disrespectful.

  • Alexander Croke

Wonderful Historic Cemetery with aged trees.

  • Esvin Alvarado

It's peaceful, nice place to rest in peace.

  • T K

Management is great keep up good work!

  • Kate Hansen

Stellar service and flexible.

  • YVES BOOKER

Love every stanza and sonnet!

  • Andrew Weber

Ghost free since 93!

  • Ian Devine

A beautiful cemetery

  • christian moreno

Beautiful place.

  • KARTIK BISHT

Not much good

  • dipak patel

Nice place.

  • Gail Tunaitis

Beautiful

  • teddy giovanini
  • Quinn Myers
  • Sargon Nissan
  • RichardChicago1
  • Radim Svoboda
  • Davina Carrasquillo
  • Jeff Heider
  • Christopher Miklas
  • Kristen Cope
  • Iftikhar Ahmad
  • Ghastly_Grinner
  • Sergio Cueva
  • Rozalia E
  • Joe Inserra
  • Michael Strong
  • El Benny
  • Eyob Both
  • David Kittell
  • Sanem Ceren YİĞİT

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