It was founded in 1924, and is operated by the Conventual Franciscans of Saint Bonaventure Province.

Spanning some 70 acres (280,000 m2) of land, it is landscaped and adorned with numerous monuments, as well as a large mausoleum.

Though the metropolitan Detroit area has historically had a large number of persons of Polish heritage, the cemetery was not named for Jadwiga of Poland, the Queen of Poland who was canonized a saint in 1997.

Paletko had previously served as a state representative, and at the time of his death, was the mayor of Dearborn Heights.

[1] Also, Olympic figure skater Chris Bowman (1967–2008) is buried at St. Hedwig.