DescriptionCemetery abandonment creates disconnections in cultural heritage. When vandalism, destruction, neglect, and overgrown landscape claim the grounds of a cemetery, a greater gap is created between living people and those that are deceased. This thesis aims to investigate the root causes of cemetery abandonment in direct relation to historic ethnic population movement and inadequate New Jersey cemetery law; it will discuss three New Jersey Cemeteries that have been left in unsuitable conditions: Saint Patrick’s Cemetery of Rockaway, New Jersey, Grove Street Cemetery of Newark, New Jersey, and Evergreen Cemetery of Camden, New Jersey. Following research on the causes of cemetery abandonment and flaws in New Jersey cemetery law, this thesis recommends that amendment and expansion of current cemetery laws and boards in New Jersey can effectually aid in preserving cultural heritage such as gravestones, cemetery architecture, and landscapes along with intangible cultural heritage which are all components of cemeteries. Further, recommendations include financial and physical responsibility of municipalities containing abandoned cemeteries as well as public outreach and educational programming to promote cemetery preservation in New Jersey.