Corporate History: Cimetière Beechwood Cemetery

Birth

1873 witnessed the birth of Beechwood, one of the most historic and beautiful cemeteries in Canada.

Consisting of a 160 acre tract of woodland, Beechwood was forged from 100 acres of the original McPhail farm and parcels of land from the MacKay/Keefer estates.

Founders

Beechwood's founding fathers: Thomas M. Currier, Philip Thompson, James T. Pennock, Robert Blackburn, Benjamin Batson, William White, John Durie, George Hay, John Sweetland, M.D., James G. Robinson, McLeod Stewart, and other prominent citizens.

Identity and Demographics

Beechwood has cultivated a strong relationship with the region's significant Francophone population, and has dedicated itself to a bilingual staff. As partners in the founding of a great nation, our region's Francophone population have chosen Beechwood as their final resting place, and have recognized it as their preferred cemetery.

Although once perceived by many as an Anglo-Protestant cemetery, Beechwood has proudly evolved into the leading multicultural, multifaith cemetery in the nation's capital. A true reflection of its Canadian heritage, Beechwood caters to the unique needs of the region's diverse ethnic and religious groups. Many members of the region's Italian, Latvian, Greek, and other communities have selected Beechwood as their final resting place. Special sections of Beechwood have also been reserved by the Chinese, Portuguese, Polish, Ukrainian, Greek and Lebanese communities. Beechwood offers services in both official languages as well as three dialects of Chinese.

Mausoleum

This is one of the most magnificent mausoleums in Canada. Built in 1931, by architect William Ralston, the mausoleum is an example of fourteenth century Neo Gothic architecture. The solid bronze chapel doors open to reveal lofty vaulted ceilings, glass and marble niches and glorious stained glass windows by renowned artist James Blomfield. Inside the mausoleum, you will find 546 crypts where some of Ottawa's prominent citizens of the past are entombed. In recent years, Columbarium niches were added made of bronze, glass and marble to meet the requirement of above ground interment of cremated remains.

Historic Figures

With over 75,000 interments, Beechwood is final home to many famous Canadians – 26 former city mayors, over 40 families who have been commemorated in Ottawa street names, politicians such as former Prime Minister Sir Robert Borden, Tommy Douglas and former Governor General Ray Hnatyshyn, engineer and scientist Sir Sandford Fleming, as well as poets such as Archibald Lampman, Duncan Campbell Scott, and William Wilfred Campbell.

Military

Since the Northwest Rebellion in 1885, Beechwood is home to Canadians who fought for peace and freedom. Beechwood houses Canada’s National Military Cemetery of the Canadian Forces, with special sections dedicated exclusively to our revered Canadian Forces personnel and their loved ones who served our country during times of conflict and humanitarian missions. For those who earned the respect, recognition, and admiration of a world inspired by the uniform of a dedicated and principled country, Beechwood, too, houses Canada’s RCMP Memorial Cemetery.

Historic Designation

Designated as a National Historic Site by The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada in 2002, Beechwood is one of only a few cemeteries in the nation to have received this honourable title. Characterized by its tree-lined winding roads, shrubs, ornamental plants, and monuments of considerable artistic and historical significance, Beechwood proudly exemplifies the type of rural cemetery that emerged in Canada and the United States in the 19th century.