Over 140 years of serving our community.
Since 1883, the Bohemian Cemetery has been a place of comfort and connection. What began as a small sanctuary has grown into a peaceful, well-maintained space where generations gather to remember loved ones and celebrate lasting legacies.
History of the Bohemian Cemetery.
The Bohemian Cemetery was founded on April 25, 1883, when fifteen members purchased 10 acres of land for $800 at what is now 52nd and Center. The original layout included 38 blocks, each with four lots of 12 graves. Early development of the cemetery was limited due to lack of funding, but over time, thoughtful improvements transformed the cemetery into a peaceful space filled with flowers, trees, and monuments.
Improvements over the years.
History of the Bohemian Cemetery.
The Bohemian Cemetery was founded on April 25, 1883, when fifteen members purchased 10 acres of land for $800 at what is now 52nd and Center. The original layout included 38 blocks, each with four lots of 12 graves. Early development of the cemetery was limited due to lack of funding, but over time, thoughtful improvements transformed the cemetery into a peaceful space filled with flowers, trees, and monuments.
Improvements over the years.
First burials.
Thirteen burials from 1883 are recorded in the cemetery’s records, with the earliest being Frantisek Jelinek ( S5 L92 G6), who died in Omaha on May 15, 1883. Here is an excerpt from an early Omaha newspaper:
A sad case is reported from South Omaha. Frank Jellinek, an aged man, with his wife and four children, arrived in Omaha three weeks ago from Bohemia. Jellinek had the consumption and died yesterday leaving his family without a supporter and without money, to make their way in a new world. The remains were taken to Undertaker Jacobs and will be interred in the new cemetery of the Bohemian Association. The deceased was 62 years of age.
Omaha Daily Bee (May 16, 1883)
Present day.
We are committed to preserving our history while providing a welcoming space for all. Our dedication to maintaining the grounds and offering a variety of services ensures that we continue to meet the needs of visitors.
Explore our services to learn more about what we offer today.
Our founding members.
These fifteen founding members created Bohemian Cemetery to give their community a place to honor loved ones with dignity and care. Their dedication shaped the cemetery into what it is today, a welcoming place where every path, tradition, and belief are embraced and cherished. All but one founding member now rest in Sections 5 and 7.
Our founding members.
These fifteen founding members created Bohemian Cemetery to give their community a place to honor loved ones with dignity and care. Their dedication shaped the cemetery into what it is today, a welcoming place where every path, tradition, and belief are embraced and cherished. All but one founding member now rest in Sections 5 and 7.
Newspaper snippets.
The entertainment held on Saturday evening for the benefit of the fund for the Bohemian Cemetery netted about $75, which was quite a satisfactory beginning.
Omaha Daily Bee (May 16, 1883)
Articles of Incorporation of the Bohemian Cemetery Association of Omaha were filed filed in the office of the county clerk yesterday. The trustees are John Rosicky, J. J. Smrz and Frank Jelen. V. L. Vodicka is clerk of the association.
Omaha Daily Bee (May 16, 1883)
A New Cemetery – What the Bohemian Association is Doing. A few days ago THE BEE mentioned the fact that articles of incorporation had been filed at the office of the county clerk by the Bohemian cemetery association, and that they were looking for a suitable site for a cemetery. They have at length purchased the n.e. part of the s.w. 1/4, section 30, township 15, range 13, a tract about one mile southwest of the poor farm, containing 10 acres. The association now numbers 50 members, and is officered as follows: J Rosicky, president; V.L. Vodicka, secretary; Joe Kavan, treasurer; J.J. Sweesh (Smrz), F. Jelen, J. Rosicky, trustees. The cemetery will be at once fenced and laid out into lots, members being each entitled to a lot. The balance will be sold as need, to Bohemians only, but without regard to creed. Those who will not be able to buy a lot or place for a grave, will be furnished a burial place gratis. There are now five hundred Bohemian families in the city, and the number is increasing each year, so that in ten years there will certainly be no less than two thousand families. Heretofore their dead were scattered through the cemeteries, Catholic Bohemians mostly burying at Cassidy’s (St. Mary’s). Now the majority, without doubt, will bury at this cemetery.
Omaha Daily Bee (May 16, 1883)
Omaha Daily Bee, October 10, 1882. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 8. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn99021999/1882-10-10/ed-1/seq-8/.
Omaha Daily Bee, April 27, 1883. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn99021999/1883-04-27/ed-1/seq-8/.
Omaha Daily Bee, May 7, 1883. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn99021999/1883-05-07/ed-1/seq-5/.
Omaha Daily Bee, May 16, 1883. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Library of Congress. 8. https://chroniclingamerica.loc.gov/lccn/sn99021999/1883-05-16/ed-1/seq-8/.
Rosický, Rose. A history of Czechs (Bohemians) in Nebraska. Omaha, Nebraska: Czech Historical Society of Nebraska, 1929.