Beechwood Cemetery: Celebrating life, history and community

At 150, Beechwood is more than a resting place — it’s a living chronicle of Canadian stories and cultural connection.

At 150 years old, Beechwood Cemetery is a place of activity, community and storytelling.

Nicolas McCarthy, the director of marketing, communications and community relations, said the cemetery has a rich history and plays a vital role as a community hub.

Beechwood Cemetery, established in 1873, is the National Cemetery of Canada and a testament to the nation’s rich history and cultural heritage. Designated as a National Historic Site, the 160-acre landscape is adorned with vibrant gardens, ancient trees, ponds, captivating fountains and over 35,000 tulips that bloom each spring.

The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation is pivotal in preserving this historical treasure for future generations. By raising awareness about its significance and those interred within, the Foundation also mobilizes resources through annual fundraisers.

These funds are instrumental in supporting community programs, events, and activities that Beechwood hosts, cementing its role as a cemetery and a living space that celebrates diverse communities and cultures.

“Throughout our history, we’ve always been a place of activity and community,” McCarthy said.

He elaborated on the Victorian-era tradition where cemeteries were a vibrantcenter of various activities, such as picnics and games, saying today’s urban park model was built upon the cemetery model, making these spaces a precursor to modern parks and remain in certain cities the only accessible green space.

Beechwood Cemetery continues this tradition by hosting community activities that reflect the diverse cultures and traditions of those buried within its grounds.

“People come and have picnics on their loved ones’ graves. It’s a way to connect,” he shared.

This reflection of communal grieving and celebrating life sets Beechwood apart from many contemporary cemeteries. McCarthy aims to remind people of Beechwood’s historical roots and community-centric focus. For almost 30 years, the cemetery has held an annual historical tour, where actors tell the stories of those buried within its grounds.

“Cemeteries don’t need to be sombre places. They can very much be places of remembrance, places to celebrate the life of the individuals,” McCarthy stated.

Beechwood is a repository of Canada’s history. Monuments dedicated to notable figures like St. Charbel, Our Lady of Fatima, Élisabeth Bruyère, and St. Marguerite d’Youville are interspersed throughout its grounds.  However, it’s not just the famous who rest there.

Over 85,000 Canadians, including the country’s revered forces, RCMP members, governors-general, prime minister Sir Robert Borden, and Victoria Cross recipients, have found their final resting place at Beechwood. Yet, most of its inhabitants are the unsung heroes: the everyday Canadians who have contributed to the nation’s story.

“My favourite part is when I get to talk to people, it’s all about the stories,” McCarthy said.

He recalled a particularly memorable Remembrance Day when a guest told McCarthy a story about her neighbour, a retired soldier.

“That man over there was my neighbour,” the visitor said, pointing to a tribute to General Henry Cuellar, a key figure who led Canada’s largest army during World Wars I and II.  “It’s that moment where you see the human aspect of somebody who was essentially a legend. Here’s a man who led Canada’s army through Sicily, Italy, Normandy, and right into the liberation of Holland. And yet, to this woman, he was just that guy who gave her candy.”

He believes that community engagement can help to demystify dying and death, which many people fear. Through storytelling, Beechwood allows memories to live on, an aspect McCarthy describes as “an act of remembrance.” The cemetery prides itself on sharing the stories of the individuals buried there and how they impacted the city, province, and country in significant ways.

Beechwood Cemetery’s nonprofit status allows it to reinvest in community programming and maintenance, making it a unique model in the cemetery world.

“We’re not just a cemetery; we’re a reflection of the larger community,” McCarthy concluded.

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