Cemeteries

  1. About the Cemetery
  2. Structure History

The cemetery section is responsible for two municipal cemeteries. Sunset Cemetery is 45 acres, and Sunrise Cemetery is 80 acres. The cemetery section also sells all lots, and opens and closes all interments in both cemeteries.

Sunset Cemetery has a history dating back to 1860 and is 45 acres in total. All lots have been sold for this cemetery.

Sunrise Cemetery started in 1960 and is 80 acres in total. Twenty of the acres have been plotted and about half have been sold. A future section is available for above ground columbariums. Road development is also being planned to provide access to expanding sections.

Cemetery Memorial Decoration Guide

Plants are permitted for Memorial Day with four days allowed before Memorial Day for decorating and four days after for picking up plants or decorations. Our staff will begin clearing decorations after that. From November 1 through April 1, wreaths and artificial decorations are permitted and shall be placed within six inches of the memorial and will be removed when faded or during spring clean up after April 1.

Memorial Day Service

Memorial Day services at Sunset Cemetery honors our deceased soldiers. The service is held annually on Memorial Day and features the Manhattan Municipal Band and American Legion Honor Guard.

Paslay Singing Tower

The "singing tower" as it is referred to is officially called Paslay Memorial Tower. The tower is 50 feet tall and 15 feet in diameter and is made from limestone. It has a state-of-the-art electronic sound system. The tower will play music on Memorial Day and July 4th from noon to 1 p.m. The tower will also play daily at 6 p.m. for 15 minutes.

Online Grave and Lot Locator

Use the Cemetery Search to look for interments within Sunset and Sunrise cemeteries. Search by the cemetery or last names with capital or lowercase letters using the magnifying glass in the upper-right corner after the map downloads.

Sunrise Cemetery Columbarium Section

Individual columbarium grave space(s) shall be approximately 30”x 60”. Individual columbariums can be a maximum of 52”x22” with a height not to exceed 48”. (Maximum 4 urns.) For detailed guidelines and information, please refer to our Cemetery Marker Rules and Guidelines document.

Sunrise Natural Burial Section

Natural Burial Plots are available at Sunrise Cemetery. Bodies may be interred in a cardboard carrier. Top of carrier may be left off with the immediate families’ approval. Wood carriers may be used but they must be made of natural, biodegradable materials (such as cardboard, hardwood). No particle board made with adhesive will be accepted. A biodegradable 1” x 12” x 6’ flat board will be provided by the City to place under the carrier. For detailed guidelines and information, please refer to our Cemetery Marker Rules and Guidelines document.

2023 Cemetery Master Plan

In November 2022, City Administration approached the City Commission with a proposal to begin a master planning effort for both Sunset and Sunrise Cemetery's. Each facility has evolved in the past few decades to a point where facilities, operations, and availability of lots has shifted significantly. The proposed plan would be an effort to provide vision for the next 20-30 years of cemetery services in Manhattan.

City Administration is seeking input and feedback on the master planning effort. The master planning effort began in January 2023 by engaging with several stakeholders, including adjacent neighborhoods, the Cemetery Board, and the Historic Resources Board. 

The next public engagement will be an Open House at the Sunset Zoo on Thursday, March 9th, from 4:30 to 6:00 PM. The Manhattan community is invited to attend. 

Update 3/15/2023

The following boards were presented at the Open House last week:

Sunrise Cemetery Master Plan Board

Sunset Cemetery Master Plan Board

For more information or to leave feedback, please contact Alfonso Leyva, Park Planner II, at alfonso.leyva@cityofmhk.com or by calling 785-587-2740.

Update 5/16/2023

The following boards were presented at the Cemetery Board on April 20th, 2023:

Sunrise Cemetery Master Plan Board

Sunset Cemetery Master Plan Board

For more information or to leave feedback, please contact Alfonso Leyva, Park Planner II, at alfonso.leyva@cityofmhk.com or by calling 785-587-2740.

Update 6/28/2023

The following DRAFT master plan was presented to the City Commission in a Work Session on June 27th, 2023:

June 2023 DRAFT Manhattan Cemeteries Master Plan

For more information or to leave feedback, please contact Alfonso Leyva, Park Planner II, at alfonso.leyva@cityofmhk.com or by calling 785-587-2740.