Coon Dog Cemetery

About Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard

The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard — commonly called the Coon Dog Cemetery — is a truly unique burial ground tucked into the Freedom Hills wilderness near Cherokee, Alabama. Its story begins in 1937, when coon hunter Key Underwood said goodbye to his beloved hound Troop, who had been his faithful hunting companion for more than 15 years. Underwood buried Troop at the hunting camp in Freedom Hills where the two had spent so many seasons together, marking the grave with a chiseled rock. Over the decades, other proud coon dog owners followed his lead, and the cemetery has grown into a beloved regional landmark recognized as the only cemetery in the world dedicated exclusively to coon dogs.

The cemetery is strictly reserved for legitimate coon dogs — full-hound breeds that have been used to hunt raccoons — and is managed by The Friends of the Coon Dog Cemetery in partnership with the Freedom Hills Wildlife Management and State Lands Division of Alabama. Each Labor Day, the Friends host a celebration at the cemetery featuring live music, dancing, food, and the famous liar's contest, drawing visitors from across the country who share an appreciation for working hounds and the culture of coon hunting. Individual grave markers at the cemetery reflect the pride their owners take in their dogs' accomplishments, making each site a personal tribute.

Services Offered

The Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard provides the following to coon dog owners and their families in the Cherokee, Alabama area:

• Cemetery Burial — burial plots exclusively for purebred, full-hound coon dogs with a history of hunting raccoons
• Personalized Grave Markers — individual markers honoring each dog's name, dates, and legacy
• Annual Labor Day Celebration — a public event with music, food, dancing, and a liar's contest held at the cemetery grounds
• Souvenir Merchandise — Coon Dog Cemetery t-shirts, pins, and camouflage caps available for purchase

What to Expect

To inquire about burial eligibility and arrangements at the Key Underwood Coon Dog Memorial Graveyard, contact The Friends of the Coon Dog Cemetery through Lee Hatton at (256) 412-2149 or Franky Hatton at (256) 324-1122, or email leehatton31@icloud.com. Burial is open only to dogs that meet the coon dog criteria — a full-hound breed that has been used strictly for hunting raccoons, not deer, possum, or other game, and not a mixed-breed or house dog. To visit the cemetery, travel 7 miles west of Tuscumbia on U.S. Highway 72, then turn left on Alabama Highway 247 for approximately 12 miles, and then turn right on Coon Dog Cemetery Road, following the signs to the site.