When Buffalo was made the western terminus of the Erie Canal in 1825, the city became the western outpost of the East and the East's gateway to the West. Buffalo's economy surged forward and by 1849, it was the busiest grain-transfer port in the world, surpassing London, Odessa, and Rotterdam. A Buffalo lawyer, Charles E. Clarke, recognized the need for a cemetery of substantial size to serve the city's booming population.
What he had in mind was more than a burial ground. In 1849, he purchased land in the country 2 1/2 miles from downtown Buffalo, following the vision created by Pere-Lachais, the world's most famous cemetery, established in Paris in 1804. Originally located on a rural estate overlooking the city, Pere-Lachais balanced nature and art, allowing civilization to be present without disturbing the grandeur of the romantic setting.
What he had in mind was more than a burial ground. In 1849, he purchased land in the country 2 1/2 miles from downtown Buffalo, following the vision created by Pere-Lachais, the world's most famous cemetery, established in Paris in 1804. Originally located on a rural estate overlooking the city, Pere-Lachais balanced nature and art, allowing civilization to be present without disturbing the grandeur of the romantic setting.
Services
Forest Lawn (Corporate title is The Buffalo City Cemetery, Inc.), a not-for-profit 501(c)13 organization regulated by the New York State Department of State Division of Cemeteries.
As an organization that welcomes all faiths, we operate five cemeteries and a crematory: Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York; Lakeside Cemetery in Hamburg, New York; St. Matthew's Cemetery in West Seneca, New York; the Williamsville Cemetery and Gethsemane Cemetery - both in Williamsville, New York; as well as Buffalo Cremation in Buffalo, New York.
As an organization that welcomes all faiths, we operate five cemeteries and a crematory: Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo, New York; Lakeside Cemetery in Hamburg, New York; St. Matthew's Cemetery in West Seneca, New York; the Williamsville Cemetery and Gethsemane Cemetery - both in Williamsville, New York; as well as Buffalo Cremation in Buffalo, New York.
The Margaret L. Wendt Archive and Resource Center is an archival "center of excellence" for protecting, and conserving one of WNY's most precious assets - Forest Lawn's collection of more than 1.2 million historic documents, including the most comprehensive family archives in Western New York.
Now you can get a glimpse of Forest Lawn's extensive archival collection of records, documents and photographs, some of which date back to the earliest days of the cemetery.A collection of historic images of Forest Lawn have also been added to the New York Heritage website and are now available online.
Now you can get a glimpse of Forest Lawn's extensive archival collection of records, documents and photographs, some of which date back to the earliest days of the cemetery.A collection of historic images of Forest Lawn have also been added to the New York Heritage website and are now available online.
The Forest Lawn Heritage Foundation, Inc., is a 501(c)3 organization established in 1992 to assure the preservation and restoration of Forest Lawn's historically significant buildings, landmarks, landscape, and archives, as well as the stories they tell for Western New York, the nation and the world.
Below are some of the most frequently asked questions about Forest Lawn Cemetery. For more information about our services, feel free to contact us at (716) 885-1600 or email us at flc@forest-lawn.com. Yes! Forest Lawn has more than 20 acres of land that are still undeveloped. In fact, people can keep choosing Forest Lawn for hundreds and hundreds of years to come as their final resting place.
These are just a few of the words that can only begin to capture the feeling you get at Lakeside Cemetery - where a recent "renaissance" restored the beauty of this historic Southtowns treasure. Your visit begins as you drive through the brick and wrought iron gates on Camp Road, and see the stately Lakeside Mausoleum and our beautiful new Peace Mausoleum, as well as the Field of Valor for veterans.
Reviews (28)
Pamela May
Jan 19, 2022
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After almost 2 years of being unable to visit my husband, who has been here for 22 years, my surprise and disappointment upon entering the main gate was heartbreaking.
The condition of the park is disgraceful. After spending more than an hour uncovering his plaque, I saw that my place of peace and comfort has been seriously neglected. Dead flowers, old decorations, overflowing trash cans and mud puddles everywhere. The beautiful, rolling hills mostly brown and bare. The plaques broken and sunken, pushed into the mud by tractors running over them. This is not what I - nor any other family - expected
The condition of the park is disgraceful. After spending more than an hour uncovering his plaque, I saw that my place of peace and comfort has been seriously neglected. Dead flowers, old decorations, overflowing trash cans and mud puddles everywhere. The beautiful, rolling hills mostly brown and bare. The plaques broken and sunken, pushed into the mud by tractors running over them. This is not what I - nor any other family - expected
Rosanna Aspacio
Jan 15, 2022
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Seyda Miranda
Jan 14, 2022
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Maintenance there is poor as you can see there’s no grass around the graves at least where my mother is buried, the maintenance guy drives the tractor over the graves and mess all flowers that we bring to our love ones, I usually bring my own grass cutter to do the maintenance my self but it has been 2 weeks that I couldn’t go due to the rain and what a surprise I founded this mess, I did my best to wash my mom’s grave with water it’s very sad that they don’t care and respect our memories and dead people ðŸ˜
Leticia Masserman
Jan 14, 2022
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Ms. Jessica
Jan 14, 2022
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My mom and I went to Forest Lawn to plan our future funerals. Sandra Zaldana was our planning advisor and she is absolutely great! She has a warm, caring presence and made us feel comfortable and at ease. She is very patient, kind, and empathetic. We never felt rushed to make decisions. All our questions were answered and she explained everything clearly. I really enjoyed speaking with her and felt we were taken good care of through the entire process. 😊
Donna Wray
Jan 03, 2022
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Ana was so helpful and wise. She knew exactly what I needed and wanted and steered me in the right direction. I was given many options, and with her expertise was able to choose the one that worked best for my husband and me. She is an assist to Forest Lawn, and I am very pleased to have my future organized to perfection!
Jenny Yu
Dec 22, 2021
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Albert Kim helped me purchase four plots. He wasn’t pushy at all. When I requested him to contact me when the new section of Bright Eternity opened up (near my parents’ plot), he made sure to let me know as soon as they became available. I also love this memorial park. Only thing though, is it’s not well maintained. My dads area (older part of bright eternity) has weeds all over. And this past Father’s Day (6/2021), the entire area was completely flooded and every tablet was submerged in water. Needless to say, we were there barely standing and getting our shoes wet, for maybe 10 min. Couldn’t
Missy Missy Impalla Impalla
Dec 21, 2021
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Amy Lopez
Nov 25, 2021
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My family and i have been here for a while and more then once they have thrown our stuff away completely my family has spent money on the pots and flowers we bring for my mother and they all absolutely thrown them away to the trash i had three pots of flower on here and they were decorated on the stand not on the floor but on the stand and they threw everything away it’s so infuriating that they just throw our money to the trash
Tara K.
Aug 13, 2021
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We recently had some family visiting from out of town, and decided to take them for a walk through Forest Lawn to see if we could find some of the cemetery's more famous residents. This had been a Buffalo bucket-list goal of mine for some time, so why not make it a family affair! I looked up prior to arriving which section Rick James resides in, so our first stop was Section 10. With a little hunting, we found the Super Freak legend.
On our way to find Rick James, we drove by a large and ornate mausoleum that we went back to, which was the resting place of the Blocher family. It is a round
On our way to find Rick James, we drove by a large and ornate mausoleum that we went back to, which was the resting place of the Blocher family. It is a round
Maria B.
Feb 27, 2021
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Forest lawn has a bell. It rings at 7 pm, and presumably at all other "hours on the hour". This is at the Delaware Delaware entrance. It's a huge bell and it's loud / sure to wake the dead.
Founded 1849 by a Buffalo attorney. 80 acres of land for $150 and acre. Built land scaling ad. Roads.
1866 Buffalo City cemetery is its legal name.
This remains a remarkable cemetery, with a President or two in residence. Well worth a visit.
Update 57 2021
Founded 1849 by a Buffalo attorney. 80 acres of land for $150 and acre. Built land scaling ad. Roads.
1866 Buffalo City cemetery is its legal name.
This remains a remarkable cemetery, with a President or two in residence. Well worth a visit.
Update 57 2021
L. C.
Dec 16, 2020
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Daviyion J.
Dec 06, 2020
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Jane B.
Dec 03, 2020
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Forest Lawn is truly one of the most beautiful & picturesque places in the entire city of Buffalo. I felt like I was walking through an art gallery. The architecture, sculptures, scenery, wildlife, and views were simply breathtaking. I recommend doing research online ahead of time and planning which sites you would like to see. We walked around Forest Lawn for 2.5 hours and still didn't see everything. There are so many noteworthy historical burials at Forest Lawn, from President Millard Filmore to musical artist Rick James.
Melinda J.
Sep 09, 2020
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I would have never thought to visit a cemetery during a weekend vacation, but that's exactly what I did during my Labor Day weekend trip up to Buffalo & Niagara Falls! It really is a beautiful place with all the architecture of the headstones & vaults. People were jogging & walking while I was there as well. Came to pay homage to Rick James, but pleasantly surprised to find the Honorable Shirley Chisholm was laid to rest there as well... so cool!
Jeremy S.
Mar 25, 2020
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So, frankly, I'm not sure how I've never reviewed Forest Lawn, aka the Coolest Thing in All of Buffalo. I've taken more pictures there than in any place I've been in a year and a half in the city, probably because its seasonally ever-changing flora and fauna (including--not kidding--a herd of urban deer) present always-new complements to the Civil-War-era tombstones. monuments, and mausoleums. Besides the stunning fall views of the trees and austere majesty of winter, there's the intentional rises and slopes in the grounds, the man-made creeks and bridges--it's fabulous
Debra V.
Dec 06, 2019
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Beautiful and serene is how to describe this large cemetery in the heart of Buffalo. We went to see Blue Sky Mausoleum, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. On the internet we found a map, and drove until we found it. You can't miss it. The site is located inside the Main Street gates, and turn left. FLW did all his designing of structures to fit in with its outdoor surroundings, as he did here. The structure is awesome. Different. Famous people are also buried in the cemetery. Do your homework, and enjoy a drive and walking to the different memorial stones scattered around.
Danny Star
Sep 11, 2019
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I am not fan of any type of funeral. But this was a very close family member, that I got close too. It was a party person and the family organized mariachi band with kids for the funeral. Unforgettable experience and a good service by Forest lawn staff. Even though it's a very sad and personal moment. It kept good memories to keep in my heart. 💜
Jillian R.
Jul 06, 2019
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Forest lawn has been on my to do list for probably 10 years I know it's ridiculous I haven't gotten there until today but I finally made it. It was a rainy afternoon and I thought hey what the heck let me explore a little. As you enter the cemetery there are maps available so you can see who is buried where. You can also download the forest lawn app for your phone and as you visit each grave you can hear a little snippet of the person talking daycare voice actor and their connection to Buffalo and a little more information about who they are. Easily spent two hours listening to these
Karla D.
Apr 05, 2019
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This is a fantastic cemetery/park. Specifically because of the Frank Lloyd Wright Blue Sky Mausoleum. I am a huge fan of his work and had long wanted to visit this site. I've been to Buffalo a few times and never quite made it here. Boy was I missing out. Talk about design meeting nature and integrating as one. Just beautiful.
This cemetery is also home to the Blocher Memorial which has a fascinating history and story about the death of an only child, an only son after a forbidden romance with a member of this family's household staff.
Another must-see mausoleum for any visitor.
This cemetery is also home to the Blocher Memorial which has a fascinating history and story about the death of an only child, an only son after a forbidden romance with a member of this family's household staff.
Another must-see mausoleum for any visitor.
Kenneth P.
Aug 06, 2018
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I didn't know what to expect since I never did a cemetery tour. It's not the kind of thing I would choose to do but my wife was interested in doing this so I went.
Wow! This was probably in the top ten of tours I have taken in my lifetime and I have been on many throughout the world. From the orientation to the actual trolley ride to the character actors this is one tour not to miss when in Buffalo.
Wow! This was probably in the top ten of tours I have taken in my lifetime and I have been on many throughout the world. From the orientation to the actual trolley ride to the character actors this is one tour not to miss when in Buffalo.
Evan S.
May 28, 2018
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Marissa N.
May 22, 2018
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Mindy H.
Jan 15, 2018
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Forest Lawn was founded in 1849, covers over 269 acres, and is on the National Register of Historic places. Like many amazing establishments in Buffalo. Among the many buried there are U.S. President Millard Fillmore, singer Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell. Ever since I was a child I have enjoyed exploring cemeteries and reflecting on the lives of those who lived in a different time. Forest Lawn is one of my favorite cemeteries. I want to take one of the summer Sunday tours next time I am in town. I wish I would have had more time to explore this expansive peaceful place. Forest
Patrick K.
Aug 18, 2017
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"This is my Father's world,
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere."
-Maltbie Babcock, This Is My Father's World, 1901
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I thought it would be fitting to use a hymn, and a beautiful one at that, to open a review of such a place. The hymn's author was actually a resident of Lockport, NY who took frequent walks along the Niagara Escarpment which
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their maker's praise.
This is my Father's world,
He shines in all that's fair;
In the rustling grass I hear him pass;
He speaks to me everywhere."
-Maltbie Babcock, This Is My Father's World, 1901
*************************************
I thought it would be fitting to use a hymn, and a beautiful one at that, to open a review of such a place. The hymn's author was actually a resident of Lockport, NY who took frequent walks along the Niagara Escarpment which
Alex L.
Aug 18, 2016
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A peaceful huge cemetery that is also great for jogging. There are ponds, graves, nature and a scary fence with spikes on top of it. Okay, I'm not sure how this became a regular joggers spot. I really don't. It's kind of eerie, especially at night...understandably so.
The gates on Main St. also close at 5pm. I entered through the Delaware gate around 6pm and wanted to get on Main, but after jogging around the perimeter of Forest Lawn; I couldn't get out without going all the way back! Is the Delaware gate always open? What if you enter and then they lock it? Do you become a
The gates on Main St. also close at 5pm. I entered through the Delaware gate around 6pm and wanted to get on Main, but after jogging around the perimeter of Forest Lawn; I couldn't get out without going all the way back! Is the Delaware gate always open? What if you enter and then they lock it? Do you become a
Hannah K.
Sep 14, 2015
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Forest Lawn is certainly the most impressive cemetery in Buffalo, not just for the famous inhabitants, but for the striking memorials as well. It's very easy to drive around and spot something intriguing, and incredibly fun to admire the scenery. Though Forest Lawn is usually praised for honoring Millard Filmore and his family, Rick James, Darwin Martin, and various former Buffalo mayors, there are also dozens of other impressive monuments that have some interesting stories behind them. They're all as worth looking into as much as the famous ones are.
A majority of the graves have death
A majority of the graves have death
Fox E.
Jun 19, 2015
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If you're looking for an unusual place to take a nap, then they don't call it "Forest Yawn" for nothing. Actually they don't call it that at all, and I don't recommend napping in Graveyards, generally speaking.
I've only been in here once or twice, but each time it made a huge impression. It's stunning. It's a beautiful place just to walk or drive past, but when you walk through it, it's haunting and stunning. I wouldn't mind this being my final resting place if I am honest.
I have to thank Maria B, because I never thought to walk through
I've only been in here once or twice, but each time it made a huge impression. It's stunning. It's a beautiful place just to walk or drive past, but when you walk through it, it's haunting and stunning. I wouldn't mind this being my final resting place if I am honest.
I have to thank Maria B, because I never thought to walk through