Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, Inc.

We advocate for the ethical reburial of exhumed marginalized Ancestors, preserve sacred burial grounds, and restore dignity–bringing truth, justice, and healing to descendants and the community they once called home.

Between 1852–1974, over 10,000 people were buried in Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries — the poor, the sick, immigrants, formerly enslaved individuals, Native Americans, veterans, children, and the forgotten. The past mistreatment of these four cemeteries is pronounced — simply because the Ancestors were deemed marginalized.

In 1991 & 2013, 2,480 Ancestors were exhumed and removed from their graves without family consent. They remain boxed on shelves — not laid to rest.

In 2024, the Descendant Community won approval to rebury 831 Ancestors at Forest Home Cemetery, a decision now challenged in court by Froedtert Lutheran Memorial Hospital and Milwaukee County.

Additionally, four cemeteries remain at County Grounds — each mistreated due to disrespect.

We serve the Ancestors' descendants, secondary kin, and community members who believe burial is a human right and sacred while mistreatment of human remains is not acceptable.