Mount Auburn Cemetery arose out of the combination of needs and changes to the social function, and the citizens welcomed it. It became a primary destination for all classes of people, many of whom viewed the cemetery as a new urban strolling ground. In fact Mt Auburn was so successful that it set an urban parks movement into motion, most notably Central Park in New York city. Mount Auburn is considered to be the American's first garden cemetery, characterized by the neo-classical monuments lining the rolling plains. It was aided in its distinction at the time by the change in the use of the word "graveyard" to "cemetery", which comes from Greek meaning "sleeping place". Sculptures of humans were meant to replicate the dead, allowing for continual posterity. Following on the tradition of the willow and urn, many of the monuments there have iconography related to quiet and peaceful sleep, implying a newfound acceptance of death. There are over 80,000 people buried there, but today it may well be known just as much for its famous inhabitants and origins as for its excellent bird watching.

"Mt. Auburn Cemetery is an urban mecca for Boston bird watchers. The first "garden" cemetery in the United States, it was laid out in the 1830s with ample woods and multiple ponds, a landscape tradition sustained throughout its history. The current administration considers wildlife when it designs new plantings. The success of Mt. Auburn Cemetery as a wildlife sactuary is due not only to its size and landscaping, but also to the fact that it abuts the Charles River and is therefore not an island surrounded by city, but a peninsula jutting out from the river corridor."

The Granite Garden, p221