Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery is a historic burial ground in Hillside, west of Chicago. Established in 1901, it is known for the graves of Al Capone, actor Dennis Farina and Cardinal Joseph Bernardin, as well as Chicago figures Sam Giancana and Frank Nitti. Look for the variety of memorials, from carved tombs and obelisks to statues of angels and saints. Mature trees and winding paths give the grounds a quiet setting for a visit focused on local history, architecture or remembrance.
A cemetery founded in 1901
Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery opened in 1901 in Hillside, Illinois. Its grounds cover 214 acres, with gently rolling lawns, mature trees and curved paths. Shaded benches provide places to pause, and seasonal floral displays add colour to the landscape.
The cemetery is both an active place of remembrance and a site connected to Chicago’s past. People come to pay respects to family members, explore the memorials or locate notable burials. Keep the purpose of the grounds in mind as you walk, especially near graves where families may be visiting.
Memorials and mausoleums
The cemetery’s memorials range from individual headstones and grand obelisks to more than 400 private mausoleums. Some tombs use Neo-Gothic or Italianate details, including carved stonework and marble fronts. Other structures have Art Deco forms, with bronze elements and geometric designs.
Look for statues of angels and saints, including life-sized figures. The Bishops’ Mausoleum is a chapel lined with mosaics beneath a copper dome. Together, the buildings and monuments show several approaches to memorial design across the cemetery. Take time to notice the details on individual structures rather than treating the grounds only as a route between famous graves.
Notable people buried here
Mount Carmel is associated with Chicago’s organized-crime history. Al Capone and members of his family are buried here, along with Sam Giancana, Frank Nitti, Dean O’Banion and Vincent Drucci, figures connected to the city’s Prohibition-era gang conflicts.
The cemetery is also the resting place of people known for other parts of public life. Actor Dennis Farina, who had also worked as a police officer, and Cardinal Joseph Bernardin are among those buried here. If you are looking for a particular grave, an online Find A Grave record can help with family-history research; local genealogists are another possible resource.
Häufige Fragen
Where is Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery?
It is at 1400 S Wolf Rd in Hillside, Illinois.
Who is buried at Mount Carmel Catholic Cemetery?
Notable burials include Al Capone, Sam Giancana, Frank Nitti, Dean O’Bannon, Dennis Farina and Cardinal Joseph Bernardin.
When is a quieter time to visit?
Weekdays or early mornings are suggested for a quieter visit.
Is the cemetery wheelchair accessible?
An accessible entrance and wheelchair-accessible parking are listed.
