In many cemeteries across the country are common burial spots owned by Elks Lodges for fraternity members who would like to be buried next to their Departed Brothers. These burial plots are often marked by a statue of an elk. Sometimes the elk is carved from stone, other times, a bronze elk marks the final resting plots where the fraternal brothers rest until their final summons to the Celestial Lodge.
The Elks Rest in the Oakwood Cemetery in Syracuse, New York, has an Elks Rest marked by a bronze elk. This particular statue was created by “ELI” who signed the hoof, dated 1904.
The sculptor was Eli Harvey (September 23, 1860—February 10, 1957) an Ohio-born artist whose most famous work of art was, in fact, for the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, who commissioned him to create a life-sized elk for use on their buildings and cemetery plots.
Eli Harvey’s sculptures can be found in art museums, historical societies, and zoos across the country. Harvey’s elks can be found in many locations around the United States, including: Greenwood Cemetery in New Orleans; Evergreen Cemetery in Colorado Springs, Colorado; North Burial Ground, Providence, Rhode Island; Clinton County Historical Society in Wilmington, Ohio; Prince Street in Alexandria, Virginia; Riverside Cemetery in Waterbury, Connecticut; Elks Opera House in Prescott, Arizona; Lakewood Cemetery in Minneapolis Minnesota; Mohawk Trail in Florida, Massachusetts; B.P.O.E Lodge in Kirkwood, New York; Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, Ohio; Woodlawn National Cemetery in Elmira, New York; Elks National Home in Bedford, Virginia; Highlawn Cemetery in Terre Haute, Indiana; Greenlawn Cemetery in Newport News, Virginia; Kensico Cemetery in Valhalla, New York; and Roselawn Cemetery in Pueblo, Colorado.
Green-Wood Cemetery, New Orleans, Louisiana
Gravely Speaking 
The members or the Benevolent and Protective Order of Elks BPOE truly loved their brothers and mission. My father was a lifelong member and had us 3 sons join. Many childhood memories of filling and delivering food baskets at Christmas, delivering valentine roses to nursing homes, and so much more. An era that has ended I’m afraid. Few Lodges still exist with any vibrancy.
So many of the fraternal organizations in the late 19th century and early 20th century added a safety net of sorts to its members by offering insurance. Those organizations benefitted society in many different ways. It is too bad that so many have lost membership and faded into history.