Detroit Memorial Park Cemetery

Detroit Memorial Park Cemetery was organized in 1925 to serve the rapidly expanding post-war Detroit black population. Concerned with the indignities and poor quality of service received by the black community, several distinguished Detroiters established the cemetery to provide reasonably priced and dignified burials. This was the first black-owned and operated business of its kind in the state. Its incorporators included Charles Diggs, a mortician and acknowledged founder, and Dr. Aaron Toodle, a druggist and first president. By careful management the cemetery corporation survived the Great Depression and expanded into financial services. Famous inventor, Elijah McCoy, is buried here among doctors, lawyers, ministers, teachers, and business, civic and political leaders.