Hundreds of graves are sinking into the ground at the Milwaukee County Grounds Cemetery in Wauwatosa following recent flooding, according to Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, prompting advocates to demand answers from the county.
As Memorial Day approaches, concerns are growing over the worsening damage. From above, the cemetery looks like an open field, but on the ground, the damage is clear with uneven ground, overgrown grass, and dangerous holes.
"This whole area was under about 5 to 6 feet of river water and sewage, so with just a wooden coffin, we believe they’re all collapsing," Judy Klimt Houston said.
Klimt Houston is with the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, Inc. She said the cemetery holds thousands of people.
Watch: Advocates demand answers as hundreds of graves collapse at a Milwaukee County cemetery after floods
"Some of these have collapsed as much as 10 to 20 inches. Each row can be very treacherous," Klimt Houston said.
"These are the folks that could not afford burials or were unclaimed at the time of death," Klimt Houston said.
She said these individuals still deserve dignity.
"Everybody had a life, they had a story; they deserve to have their graves treated with dignity," Klimt Houston said.
Her husband, Mark Houston, is a genealogical project administrator working alongside her. He said what is happening at the cemetery is hard to accept.
"It’s wrong what’s happened here. You wouldn’t want your grandparents treated the way they’ve been treated here," Houston said.
The advocates said Milwaukee County has been made aware of the damage, but they are still waiting for action. A county representative told TMJ4 that they are looking into the issue.
Update: On April 29th, 2026 County Leaders response after our story aired: Hi Gideon, Thank you for your inquiry. While we are not able to accommodate an on-air interview, here is a statement from the Milwaukee County Parks.
Statement from a representative of Milwaukee County Parks
Milwaukee County is aware of concerns at Cemetery #3 following the August 2025 flooding and recognizes the significance of this site. The County’s primary statutory responsibility is to avoid disturbing burial areas, and due to uncertainty around grave locations and depth, activities that involve ground disturbance carry significant risk and are not currently pursued. We continue to monitor conditions, consult with the State Historic Preservation Office, and support non-invasive efforts to respectfully honor those laid to rest.
Kind Regards,
Allison Carlson
Field Marketing Coordinator
Milwaukee County Parks
"What is the county going to do? This is their responsibility," Klimt Houston said.
With Memorial Day near, Klimt Houston said the timing makes the issue even more important.
"If we don’t care for our dead, who’s gonna care for us?" Klimt Houston said.
To learn more about the Descendant Community of Milwaukee County Grounds Cemeteries, visit: descendantcommunity.org
This story was reported on-air by a journalist and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
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