Respecting a treasured site while helping a cemetery meet contemporary needs and position itself for a healthy future is a key focus of approaching a historic cemetery. As part of the assessment of the natural and physical components of each site, The LA Group also studies the historic background. Historic context can provide opportunities to showcase the uniqueness of the cemetery. Like many historic cemeteries, Mount Hope Cemetery in Rochester, NY needed to find a way to provide new burial space while respecting its design as America’s first municipal Victorian cemetery. One of the concepts The LA Group developed included design of a scattering garden and public ossuary in a decommissioned roadway. This space efficient concept provided maximum burial which fit seamlessly into the fabric of the historic cemetery.