Lutz Cemetery
The Lutz Cemetery was established in 1911 on land donated by C.E. Thomas, president of North Tampa Land Company. Mr. Nims was the first person to be buried at Lutz Cemetery in 1914.
As of 2024, The Lutz Cemetery is owned and operated by American Legion Post 108 of Land O'Lakes, FL.
Lutz Cemetery Location
Lutz Cemetery is a 5-acre community cemetery in the heart of Lutz, Florida.
201-217 5th Ave NE, Lutz, FL 33549
Company Phone: 813-564-0237
Operations Manager, Toni Hedstrom: 813-683-5273
History
Scattered Cemeteries Tell Tales of the Once-Living
Article by Elizabeth MacManus, Published July 21, 1996 | Updated Sept. 16, 2005 by Tampa Bay Times. Read complete article here. https://www.tampabay.com/archive/1996/07/21/scattered-cemeteries-tell-tales-of-the-once-living/
Excerpt
In 1911, C.E. Thomas, founder of Lutz, donated land for a cemetery in town, just north of "downtown" Lutz along U.S. 41.
Back then, those who entered used a sandy road at the end of Second Street NE. Some years later, residents erected a metal arch with the words "Lutz Cemetery" over the west side. The arch eventually deteriorated and was torn down.
Clearing the land for the cemetery was a community effort. Everybody pitched in, it seemed. It was not a particularly easy job because there were plenty of big pine trees on the land. One proved quite formidable, and it's stump remained on the property for years. Worth Johnson, a Lutz resident, said the stump was big enough for six men to stand on.
Lutz Cemetery today
Lutz Cemetery ownership was transferred to the American Legion Post 108 Holding Company Inc. in 2024. The cemetery is now managed by employees of the American Legion Post 108 Holding Company Inc. and volunteers from the American Legion Post 108.
When American Legion Post 108 Commander Don Hinst was first approached with the opportunity for his post to take over the Lutz Cemetery, he felt like his prayer had been answered. "Our Post's mission is to keep the memory alive, not only of our fallen brothers and sisters but also of the community we live in and serve," says Don Hinst.
The Lutz Cemetery is over 112 years old and has a plethora of history. For its future, American Legion Post 108 has committed to cleaning up and upgrading the cemetery grounds while continuously honoring all veterans and their families who are buried there.
Lutz Cemetery has recently been designated as a Wreaths Across America cemetery and will participate in the annual laying of Wreaths for its veterans.
Lutz Cemetery Services
Lutz Cemetery Honor Events
You will find members of American Legion Post 108 at the Lutz Cemetery on Memorial Day, Veterans Day, and Wreaths Across America Day, paying honor to all interned veterans at the Lutz Cemetery.
