FRIENDS OF SHADY LANE CEMETERY

Shady Lane Cemetery was founded in 1922 and for decades was a popular burial site for Scranton and the Abington area. Unfortunately, a former owner looted the perpetual care fund, the current owner denies ownership, and the property was abandoned in 2010.

After years of deterioration, community volunteers, using their own equipment, are investing sweat equity to honor those who came before us, particularly the many veterans buried at the cemetery. Our nonprofit organization raises funds for cemetery projects and recruits volunteers to help maintain this abandoned property.

Since our founding in August, 2021, we have cleared brush, weeds, and brambles from burial sections of the cemetery and are searching for, uncovering, and lifting grave markers that have been buried underground. We are keeping graves clear of overgrowth and accessible to loved ones and are making the cemetery a beautiful and welcoming green space for our community to enjoy. We are also documenting graves on the Find-A-Grave website, as well as researching and publicizing stories of cemetery residents to share our community’s history.