Cemitério São João Batista (Cemetery of Saint John the Baptist) is a private cemetery in the neighborhood of Botafogo, Rio de Janeiro owned and operated by the Santa Casa da Misericórdia do Rio de Janeiro (Holy House of Mercy of Rio de Janeiro) a charitable organization with a Catholic identity founded by the Portuguese]] in Rio during the colonial era. The Holy House of Mercy foundation operates the São João Bastista cemetery with a permit from the municipality of Rio de Janeiro, as in Brazil cemeteries are either owned by the municipality or operated with its permission.