Rest on the hallowed ground of one of your favorite places on Earth.

The Bell Tower keeps time and the natural beauty of Chapel Hill surrounds you forever.

Nestled in the heart of Chapel Hill is the Old Chapel Hill Cemetery (OCHC), the resting place of legendary North Carolinians. The vibrant energy of the surrounding Town and University is visceral as students pass through. "Hark the Sound" and the roar of the crowds are heard drifting across the grounds, the Bell Tower keeps time and the natural beauty of Chapel Hill surrounds each plot. There is no denying that, in the middle of this historic town, OCHC is a beautiful, magical and memorable oasis. See video below.

However, interment plots at OCHC haven't been available to the public for generations. People who (1) have always wanted to be laid alongside the greats including Bill and Ida Friday, Charles Kuralt, Coach Dean Smith and other notables and (2) have dreamt of resting in the heart of one of their favorite places on Earth have not had the OCHC as an option since 1954. The Old Chapel Hill Cemetery Memorial's (OCHCM) goal is to offer this unforeseen opportunity to the greater Chapel Hill community.

Creating New Opportunities

The two plots of the columbarium site were purchased by the family of OCHCM, LLC managing member John A. Shearer in 1954. However, the family intended to be interred in the Memorial Garden of the United Church on Cameron Avenue until that property was later sold to UNC-Chapel Hill. By opting to build a columbarium on the only two remaining contiguous OCHC plots, OCHCM, LLC makes it possible for up to 448 people to rest eternally on Carolina's most hallowed ground.

Rendering of future columbarium
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill campus with historical with sign - First state university to open its doors 1795. Chartered in 1795 under the Constitution of 1776.

Rooted in Chapel Hill

The people behind the project have strong ties to the community. Mr. Shearer and his parents moved to Chapel Hill in 1948 at the invitation of Mr. and Mrs. Collier Cobb, Jr.

John is producing this opportunity alongside his first cousin on his mother's side, and both are joined by his trusted friend and counsel, Gardner H. Altman, Jr., a notable member of UNC's Class of 1968 and JD'71 and a longtime resident of Chapel Hill.

Giving Back

OCHCM has developed THREE programs to honor AND serve the community they hold dear for decades to come.

  1. 1. The Servant Leadership Niche Core

    Up to 32 niches (15%) will be reserved for living former governors, UNC-CH chancellors, Town of Chapel Hill mayors, and other lifelong public servants and notables, ensuring that the OCHC truly holds the legends of the Hill and will continue to for generations to come.

  2. 2. Perpetual Care Fund

    OCHCM shall create and fund a perpetual care fund of $2,000.00 (some $400,000) per conveyed niche. The perpetual care fund shall, among other things, pay all annual liability and casualty insurance premiums, and maintain the physical premises upon which the Memorial is situated.

  3. 3. The Legacy Memorial Database

    The Legacy Memorial Database (LMD) is a digital database dedicated to storing memorializations made by or for anyone laid to rest in the Memorial, or the OCHC. Data may be gathered and curated by the interring parties and placed within, via an internet portal. Anyone may access the LMD via a QR-coded portal within smart devices on site.

OCHCM sustains, maintains and perpetuates the evolving nature of historical preservation for future generations

Stay in Touch

If you would like to remain in contact and be updated on the project, please provide/confirm your email address and ZIP code. Thank you.