An Historical Heritage

The Mount Royal Cemetery, one of the first rural cemeteries in North America, was incorporated in 1847 under an Act of the Provincial Parliament of Canada. It was consecrated June 8, 1854 by the Anglican Bishop Francis Fulford, after the first burial of Reverend William Squire, a Methodist Minister, on October 19th, 1852.Administered by 21 Trustees elected as representatives of the six founding denominations, it is open to persons of all faiths and races. There are areas for war veterans, sailors, and various benevolent organizations that purchased lots subsidized by The Mount Royal Cemetery Company. The St. Andrew's Society, one such organization, buried 15 Scottish casualties who were aboard the steamboat "Montreal" when she caught fire and sank near Quebec City in 1857.The Cemetery offers traditional burials, entombments and cremations. During its 150 years of service, there have been more than 162,000 burials.

Old Burial Grounds

Records of the Mount Royal Cemetery Company date to 1799 when the Old Dorchester Burial Grounds, also known as the St. Lawrence Burial Grounds or Dufferin Square Cemetery, was opened at the corner of Rene Levesque Boulevard and Cheneville Street. The Last interment in that cemetery occured on September 29, 1854.

New Burial Grounds

In the middle of the 1800's, the cemeteries located downtown needed space desperately. Concerned with epidemics and public health issues, these cemeteries had to be developed elsewhere.

The Protestant community of Montreal purchased, in 1851, a section of Mount Royal that belonged to Dr. Michael McCulloch. Today, with a lot of contrasts in its topography, its monuments and the beautiful vegetation, the overall view is splendid.

Past and Present

During 150 years of operations, The Mount Royal Cemetery Company has evolved and broadened its services to grieving families. After the construction of a crematorium in 1901 and the opening of another cemetery in 1910, the Company waited until the 1990's to make available to its clientele the complete variety of funeral services.

Future

The 165 acre property of Mount Royal Cemetery still offers family lots and graves in perpetuity. Contrary to general belief, the cemetery has not attained full capacity. Even the old portion of the cemetery still has some burial sites available.