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Top 7 Best Philippine Cemeteries Worthy to Explore

Halloween enthusiasts, explore these intriguing cemeteries in the Philippines for yourself!

By: Peter Parcon | October 03, 2023
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Philippine Cemetery, Cemetery in Philippines, Famous Cemetery in the Philippines

The Philippines has several interesting cemeteries worth visiting.

Images: Jim Uy (L); Jd Stauffer (R)

The word cemetery comes from a Greek word that means “sleeping place,” which is appropriate since it is considered a person’s final resting place. Discussions about cemeteries usually come in time for the Holy Week or Halloween. While the topic may be pretty morbid, there is some fascinating stuff one can learn when people talk about the Philippine cemeteries. Due to this, we asked our readers about any cemeteries in the Philippines they are aware of.

If you are curious about the exciting and famous cemeteries in the Philippines, read on.


7. Clark Veterans Cemetery and Familia Luzuriaga Cemetery

The seventh place on the list of Philippine cemeteries is shared by the Clark Veterans Cemetery and Familia Luzuriaga Cemetery.


Philippine Cemetery – Cemetery in Philippines – Yoorekka PH, Philippine Cemetery

The rehabilitation of the Clark Veterans Cemetery allowed it to recover from the damage it experienced following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo.

Image: Wynn Llena

The Clark Veterans Cemetery was located at the Clark Freeport Zone to accommodate fallen World War 2 soldiers in the Philippine cemetery of the former Fort McKinley in Manila. The remains of non-World War 2 veterans were also relocated to this military post cemetery from the former Fort Stotsenburg. It was initially managed by the Americans until Clark Air Base was abandoned following the eruption of Mount Pinatubo in 1991. It was rehabilitated after being placed under the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) care. While this cemetery in the Philippines is a permanent American cemetery, it remains on Philippine property. Currently, this Philippine cemetery has the remains of around 8,600 fallen soldiers and Filipino Scouts who fought under the American flag in World War 2.


Philippine Cemetery – Cemetery in Philippines – Yoorekka PH, Cemetery in Philippines

A canopy of kalachuchi trees greets visitors as they enter the Familia Luzuriaga Cemetery.

Image: Jonathan Blaza

The Familia Luzuriaga Cemetery is exciting and famous in the Philippines since it is at the intersection of two highways. This Philippine cemetery is owned by the Ruiz de Luzuriaga family, a wealthy political family in the Negros province; the graveyard was left untouched by the government when a road widening project was implemented in the 1950s. Subsequently, tombs affected by the project were moved to the public cemetery in the Philippines. On the other hand, the government opted not to touch the mausoleum at this Philippine cemetery in exchange for the land donated by the family for the old city hall. While it is a private mausoleum, tourists can enter it with the family’s permission.


6. Libingan Ng Mga Bayani



Philippine Cemetery – Cemetery in Philippines – Yoorekka PH, Famous Cemetery in the Philippines

Every November, candles light up the Libingan Ng Mga Bayani as the Philippine Army honors the fallen Filipino heroes.

Image: Libingan Ng Mga Bayani Facebook page

The Libingan Ng Mga Bayani (Heroes’ Cemetery) comes next in sixth place on our list of Philippine cemeteries. It was initially created as a burial place for Filipino military personnel who served during the Second World War. But this Philippine cemetery was later designated as the official final resting place of the deceased national heroes, patriots, national artists, national scientists, and Philippine presidents. Moreover, the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) also allowed secretaries of National Defense, AFP Chiefs of Staff, General or Flag offices, active and retired military personnel, and government statesmen and dignitaries to be buried at this cemetery in the Philippines. Established in 1947, this famous cemetery in the Philippines was initially called the Republic Memorial Cemetery before it was given its present name in 1954 by President Ramon Magsaysay.


5. PAWS Pet Memorial



Philippine Cemetery – Cemetery in Philippines – Yoorekka PH, Philippine Cemetery

Pet owners can remember their departed fur family members at the PAWS Pet Memorial.

Image: Philippine Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) Facebook page

The fifth entry on the list of Philippine cemeteries is unique to people who have fur babies since it was a place created mainly for animals. This cemetery in the Philippines is Located in the PAWS (Philippine Animal Welfare Society) Shelter. PAWS Pet Memorial allows people to remember a departed furry member of the family. While the remains of pets are not buried at this cemetery in the Philippines, the shelter allocated a portion of the property for a mass grave for deceased pets. Instead, pet owners can purchase a memorial tile containing the name and picture of their pets along with a short dedication at this Philippine cemetery.


4. Lumiang Burial Cave

Voter’s comment: “A fascinating glimpse into ancient times!!!” - Wil


Philippine Cemetery – Cemetery in Philippines – Yoorekka PH, Cemetery in Philippines

Stacked coffins will greet tourists visiting the Lumiang Burial Cave in Sagada.

Image: Daniel L. Estacio

Spelunkers looking for a different adventure can visit the Lumiang Burial Cave in Sagada, Mountain Province. This Philippine cemetery, known as the burial cave, is at the entrance of a popular tourist attraction in Sagada, the Cave Connection. This famous cemetery in the Philippines was a sacred ground for Filipinos living in the area hundreds of years ago because, during that time, it was traditional for Filipinos to bury their dead inside a cave. Over a hundred coffins can be found at this cemetery in the Philippines, with the oldest being around 500 years old. The coffins feature carved images of lizards in this Philippine cemetery, considered symbols of fertility and long life.


3. Hanging Coffins of Sagada



Philippine Cemetery – Cemetery in Philippines – Yoorekka PH, Famous Cemetery in the Philippines

The hanging coffins of Sagada are among the more popular tourist sites in the Cordilleras.

Image: Jd Stauffer

Aside from the Lumian Burial Cave, another popular tourist destination in the Mountain Province is the Hanging Coffins of Sagada. The people of the Cordilleras practiced the tradition of using hanging coffins to bury their dead for thousands of years. The pinewood coffins at this Philippine cemetery were suspended along the sides of a limestone cliff using primitive ropes and wires. Aside from the belief that hanging the coffins will bring the physical bodies of the departed closer to heaven, the practice also protects the remains from animals and humans. The height of the coffins at this cemetery in the Philippines denotes the status of the deceased in the tribe, with elders earning a higher place on the cliff. While similar practices were noted in Indonesia, historians think the method may have come from the Bo or Guyue tribes in China.


2. Sunken Cemetery



Philippine Cemetery – Cemetery in Philippines – Yoorekka PH, Philippine Cemetery

The white cross marks the location of the Sunken Cemetery of Camiguin Island.

Image: Jim Uy

Our second spot of Philippine cemeteries is located on Camiguin Island. Camiguin Island may be famous for its volcanoes and the Lanzones Festival, but visitors can look forward to something unique when they visit the island. One particular place one can find on Camiguin Island is the Sunken Cemetery in Barrio Bonbon, Catarman. The Philippine cemetery used to be located above sea level but became submerged after Mt. Vulcan erupted in 1980. The location of this cemetery in the Philippines is marked by a white cross set up by the local government to replace the original cross, which was destroyed over time. Presently, several submerged tombstones can still be identified. Moreover, some tombs at this famous cemetery in the Philippines are visible from the surface when the tide is low. This Philippine cemetery is particularly popular among photographers who like to take pictures of the cross as the sun rises or sets.


1. Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery



Philippine Cemetery – Cemetery in Philippines – Yoorekka PH, Cemetery in Philippines

The Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery may seem similar to other cemeteries around the country once visitors enter its underground chamber.

Image: Museo ng Libingan sa Ilalim ng Lupa ng Nagcarlan – MLILN

Topping this list of interesting Philippine cemeteries is the Nagcarlan Underground Cemetery. Visitors may only see the uniqueness of the cemetery in the Philippines after a period of time. They may think it is similar to many baroque-style churches in the country. But once they see the entrance to the underground chamber, visitors will have their “Aha!” moment. Established in 1845, it is the only underground cemetery in the country. Only elite families and Spanish friars were allowed to be buried at this Philippine cemetery. In addition, it also served as a secret rendezvous point for Filipino rebels during the Filipino-American War and a safe house for Filipino guerillas during the Second World War. The cemetery is a National Historical Landmark following a presidential decree in 1973.


While discussions about graveyards can be creepy, they can take an exciting twist once the topic deals with some unique cemeteries in the country.


Visit Yoorekka to learn more exciting and unique places in the Philippines!


This article was initially published in Yoorekka on October 27, 2019.


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About Peter Parcon
After leaving spending 16 years of his professional life in the academe, Peter decided to try his luck in the world of online freelancing. For the past eight years, he has been creating content for clients all around the world. He can work on just about any topic - from tattoos to technology and food to finance. He dreams of visiting every island in the archipelago some day.
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Disclaimer: All articles in the Consumers Magazine of Yoorekka are for general information and entertainment purposes only. Although careful research has been made in writing them, Yoorekka does not make any warranty about the completeness and accuracy of all information presented in our articles. Our content is not intended to be used in place of legal, medical, or any professional advice.
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