By At Evergreen Washelli Funeral Home and Cemetery in Seattle, the hum of bees offers an unexpected soundtrack to a place known for stillness. Nestled within the cemetery’s 100 acres of green space, where maples sway above headstones and birds call out across manicured lawns, more than 75,000 honeybees now thrive. The bees are part of a one-of-a-kind collaboration that reimagines how we honor life, loss, and the land we share.
Bees are Bringing Life Back to This 135 Year Old Cemetery
The partnership began in 2021, when Annie Reading, a local beekeeper and founder of Catacomb Bee Collective, reached out in search of space to support struggling urban pollinators. Her vision was simple yet bold: create a sanctuary where bees could flourish and, in turn, bring new life to a space shaped by memory.
Reading found an eager partner in Evergreen Washelli’s superintendent, Aaron Sholes. “When Annie approached us, we saw a beautiful opportunity, not just for environmental stewardship, but for creating something meaningful for our community,” Sholes said. The cemetery offered up three undeveloped acres, tucked behind the main grounds.
That patch of land has since been transformed into a thriving apiary. With support from Evergreen Washelli associates and local partners like Seattle Tree Care, the space now welcomes bald eagles, native birds, and even the occasional coyote—coexisting alongside the buzzing inhabitants of what’s become a multi-season hive operation with anywhere from five to fifty hives.
The Catacomb Bee Collective, which has grown into a four-member team, embraces sustainable and community-driven beekeeping practices. But the impact of the bees extends beyond the apiary.
Inside the funeral home, an observation hive installed in the lobby has become a favorite feature among visitors. Next to it sits a display inspired by the old-world tradition of “telling the bees”—a practice that involved whispering news of a loved one’s passing to the hive, inviting them to share in the mourning. Alongside the display, guests can leave notes, view bee-themed memorial items, and learn more about the cemetery’s partnership with the collective.
And for every family served, there is a parting gift: a small hand-assembled package featuring a vial of honey harvested onsite, a local tea blend, a polished stone from the grounds, and a story card explaining the legacy of the bees. “The honey is a reminder that life doesn’t end here,” said Location Manager Nikole Mitchell, who prepares each gift herself. “Even in grief, there’s sweetness. There’s growth.”
The collaboration has also prompted broader ecological changes across the cemetery. Groundskeeping practices have shifted to favor pollinator-friendly landscaping, and the team has adopted more sustainable approaches to herbicide use, all in an effort to support the delicate urban ecosystem now taking root.
More than three years in, the partnership continues to evolve, but its message remains the same. In a place designed for reflection and remembrance, life is quietly thriving.
“We never imagined the bees would become such a meaningful part of this place,” Reading said. “But that’s the beauty of it, healing doesn’t always come in the ways we expect. Sometimes, it comes with wings.”
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