photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

The roundabout on the north side of Oak Hill Cemetery is pictured on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

A screening of “Beetlejuice” that a local movie club was planning at Oak Hill Cemetery this weekend has been canceled – but not because it broke any cemetery rules.

Rather, it’s because what the city approved was different from – and more limited than – what the event was turning into.

That’s according to the city’s Parks, Recreation and Culture Department, which posted Thursday on social media that the Lawrence Film Club had decided to cancel its Saturday night screening of the 1988 comedy, about a dead couple who come back as ghosts and are forced to haunt their former house.

“Given the increased public interest and response, concerns arose about the group’s ability to safely and appropriately manage the event within its originally approved scope,” the statement from PRC read. “We appreciate the Lawrence Film Club’s understanding and cooperation, as well as the time and effort invested in planning the event.”

The Lawrence Film Club, on its social media, describes itself as a “community group, bringing you social gatherings, film screenings, and Citizen Cinema, our film zine.” But according to PRC, the screening at the historic cemetery, which dates to the 1860s, was approved as an event for members of the film club, not just for anyone who wanted to attend.

PRC staff told the Journal-World that the city reviewed the club’s proposal and “confirmed approval for a limited audience of up to 30 Lawrence Film Club members.” Also, the screening was to be held at the roundabout on the north side of the cemetery, which staff said was “sufficiently removed from gravesites to maintain a respectful distance while providing adequate space for an event of this nature.”

The club, however, appeared to have been describing the screening as an event open to the public, not something limited to a few dozen club members. On an Instagram post from Oct. 1, it described the event as a “free community screening” and told attendees to “bring your own blanket or chair.” Another post, from Oct. 10, says that “This screening is FREE!” and advertises zines and art prints for sale at the event.

(The Journal-World reached out to the Lawrence Film Club for comment about the screening, but had not heard back as of Thursday afternoon.)

photo by: Sylas May/Journal-World

Graves are seen from the roundabout on the north side of Oak Hill Cemetery on Thursday, Oct. 22, 2026.

Then, at the Lawrence City Commission’s meeting on Tuesday night, Vice Mayor Mike Courtney brought up the screening. “That’s kind of unique and spooky,” he said.

“The original ‘Beetlejuice,’ or the new one?” Mayor Brad Finkeldei asked.

“The original one, yeah,” Courtney said. “I just thought that was kind of cool. … If anybody here has time on Saturday and wants to go have a unique Lawrence experience, ‘Beetlejuice,’ Oak Hill Cemetery.”

PRC staff told the Journal-World that the city had heard from people “who have shared concerns about the event.” But it said that the screening went through city approval processes like any other event that would be held on public property. In fact, PRC staff said the club submitted a more detailed application than a group seeking an event permit usually would “[b]ecause of the unique nature of this request.”

“We want our community to know that while the City supports event organizers throughout the permitting process, this film screening is a private event for which staff carefully reviewed and approved a Special Use Permit, one of hundreds approved each year,” the email from staff read.

The Journal-World asked the city whether it had rules or guidelines about what kinds of events are appropriate for cemeteries. PRC staff said that “we don’t have specific rules pertaining to events.”

Staff instead pointed to the city’s cemetery rules, which are mostly about the types of monuments allowed, grave decorations and burial procedures. There is a short section on visitor conduct, which states that “Visitors shall behave in a manner consistent with the solemn nature of a public burial ground.” It also says the cemetery closes at dusk.

On the social media post announcing the cancellation, some people said it was the right move.

“Good call,” one poster wrote, “my dad is buried here and I was very concerned. I’m sure the film club can find a different location to host a movie.”

“I don’t think it was an appropriate venue,” another said.

But some were disappointed by the cancellation. One wrote that “there were lots of people who supported this event. Those opposing it are just louder.”

And another said that social gatherings like this one shouldn’t be shut out of cemeteries.

“People have complex relationships to death and the places that we memorialize,” the poster wrote, “and I believe that social events have a place in cemeteries.”