Fairview Cemetery | Niagara Falls

Fairview Cemetery is a peaceful and beautiful resting place in Niagara Falls with scenic views and options for burial or cremation. Families can visit, reflect, or make arrangements in a serene and respectful setting. The cemetery also houses the administration office.

Location and history

Location: 4501 Stanley Avenue
Map: View the location on the map
Size: 77.6 acres
Genealogy records: Visit our Genealogy and Family Search page for burial information

Fairview Cemetery was established in 1883. Morton Buckley, the chair of the town’s newly formed cemetery committee, arranged to purchase 23 acres from the Adam Shugg farm at the top of Bridge Street. He named it "Fairview" and planted many beautiful trees that still grace the grounds today. His dedication to beautifying the cemetery made it one of the most scenic in the country. The ornamental iron and stone gates at the former Bridge Street entrance were his gift to the community.

The first recorded burial at Fairview Cemetery was Thomas Whittaker, who passed away on July 20, 1883, at the age of 56.

Explore Fairview Cemetery

Children’s Memorial Garden

A garden area was planted in memory of children who were taken too soon. It is a peaceful place to reflect on loved ones and the joy they brought into our lives.

You can also visit the Firemen’s Park Children’s Memorial Pathway at 2275 Dorchester Road.

Queen Victoria fountain

In 1897, a four-tiered water fountain was erected in honour of Queen Victoria’s Jubilee Celebration. Although the fountain stopped flowing in the 1960s due to age and mechanical issues, it now overflows with colourful flowers.

Military memorials

Fairview Cemetery is home to deeply meaningful tributes to the brave people who served our country. These memorials are powerful reminders of their sacrifice, ensuring their memory lives on for generations.

Learn more on our Military Memorials page.

Tissue donor memorial

Dedicated in 1990, this memorial recognizes and honours tissue and organ donors who have given the gift of life to others.

Cremation options

Cremation is an increasingly popular choice. We offer several options for families considering cremation.

Cremation plots: Cremation plots offer an affordable and traditional option for those who prefer an in-ground burial. Each plot can hold up to four cremains and allows for monuments or flat markers to honour loved ones. For details on marker sizes and regulations, see the Cemetery By-law.

Maple Grove columbaria

Columbaria provides above-ground niches for cremains, offering a cost-effective alternative to traditional burials. Many niches can accommodate two cremains, and family columbariums are also available. Maple Grove offers 17 columbaria in a treed park-like setting, including a memorial pathway.

Remembrance garden

Located at the center of Fairview Cemetery, the Remembrance Garden is a peaceful space where cremains are buried in flower beds without urns or stone markers. Families may add their loved one’s name to a granite memorial.

Willow's Rest natural green burial section

Two acres located within Fairview Cemetery at 4501 Stanley Avenue.

Niagara's first green burial section is a naturalized area with nearly 200 native trees enclosing a wildflower meadow, seven butterfly pollinator gardens, and sitting areas.

About green burials

To be considered a true green burial, five key principles must be followed:

No embalming: In green burial, the body is not embalmed. Instead, it’s allowed to decompose naturally, just as nature intended. Embalming uses chemicals that can be harmful to the environment, and many families see it as unnecessary and invasive.
Direct earth burial: The body is wrapped in a natural, biodegradable shroud and placed directly in the ground. If a casket is used, it must also be fully biodegradable and made from sustainable materials. No concrete grave liners or vaults are used, allowing the body to return to the earth naturally.
Communal memorialization: Instead of individual headstones, green burial sites often feature communal memorials made from natural materials. These simple inscriptions honour those buried there, while the burial ground becomes a living tribute.
Ecological restoration and preservation: After burial, the grave is planted with native plants, including trees, shrubs, and groundcover, to help it blend into the natural landscape. These plantings follow a carefully designed plan that supports the local ecosystem. Green burial sites are also protected through land covenants and conservation agreements, ensuring they remain natural forever.
Optimized land use: Green burial cemeteries are thoughtfully designed to make the best use of space. They include minimal infrastructure, temporary roads that can later be converted into burial sites, and grave layouts that maximize capacity while preserving the landscape.