Beechwood was established in 1873, operates on a non-profit basis and offers funeral, cemetery and cremation services and memorialization options.
Beechwood, Funeral, Cemetery and Cremation Services is owned by The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation and operated by The Beechwood Cemetery Company. The Beechwood Cemetery Foundation is a not-for-profit organization and a registered Canadian charity. Beechwood is governed by an active volunteer Board of Directors. It is the only organization of its kind in Ottawa.
Whatever your wishes – visitation, informal gathering, life celebration, memorial service, funeral, catered reception, cremation, burial, monument or other memorialization – Beechwood has everything you need in one beautiful location. You can choose all of our services or only the ones that you want.
In the Beechwood National Memorial Centre, you will find reception rooms, family meeting rooms and catering facilities. One of the most impressive rooms within the Centre was conceived from extensive consultations with local faith leaders and the Ontario Multi-Faith Council. With its spectacularly sky-lit dome poised at the centre of the soaring rooftop canopy, Beechwood’s nine-sided multi-functional facility, called the Sacred Space, serves the commemorative needs of Canadians of diverse backgrounds.
As the National Cemetery of Canada, Beechwood is dedicated to delivering high-quality service to honour our forefathers and set a precedent for future generations.
Established in 1873, Beechwood is recognized as one of the most beautiful and historic cemeteries in Canada. It has been designated as a National Historic Site. Its breathtaking park-like setting boasts 160 acres of colourful gardens, century-old trees, ponds, enchanting fountains and over 35,000 spring tulips. Visitors can explore nature trails with different species of birds and butterflies floating overhead. Beechwood is also home to one of the largest hostas collections in Eastern Ontario and Western Québec. Beechwood is renowned for its unique landscaping, as well as monuments and markers of considerable architectural and historical interest. For example, monuments to St. Charbel, Our Lady of Fatima, Élisabeth Bruyère and St. Marguerite d’Youville are visible on the grounds.
It is the final resting place for over 75,000 Canadians from all walks of life. Those resting at Beechwood include members of our Canadian Forces, Veterans, War Dead, RCMP members and Veterans, Governors-General, Prime Ministers, Canadian Victoria Cross recipients, but most are our everyday Canadian heroes – our family members and our loved ones.
Beechwood is proud to have been chosen to be the home of the National Military Cemetery, the RCMP National Memorial Cemetery and the Ottawa Police Service Memorial Cemetery.
For over a century, Beechwood has served all cultures and faiths with care and compassion. In addition to English and French Canadians, many other people also choose Beechwood. Beechwood is proud to have sections set aside and specifically designed to meet the interment needs of the Chinese, Egyptian, Greek, Lebanese, Latvian, Muslim, Polish, Portuguese, Ukrainian and Vietnamese communities.
Each cemetery section has taken on an awe-inspiring, spectacular and distinctive character. In fact, the region’s Chinese population has seen their section of Beechwood evolve into the Chinese Cemetery of Ottawa. It is designed according to Chinese religious principles, and distinguished by a Pagoda to honour the community’s ancestors.
As well, families of Japanese, Filipino and Korean descent, and families of Southeast Asian countries, are buried throughout Beechwood.
Beechwood has assigned specially trained liaisons to deliver the services that our diverse cultural, ethnic and religious groups want. Our liaisons are also involved in many local community events and organizations.
In addition to speaking English, many of our staff also speak French, and some speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Toisan and Chiuchao, and Arabic. Upon request, Beechwood can coordinate translators for a number of other languages.
Beechwood is proud to promote our Nation’s Capital and the rich, diverse heritage of Canada. As such, Beechwood operates on a not-for-profit basis so that you can take comfort knowing that all funds are used for the maintenance, preservation and enhancement of this National Historic Site. That’s a beautiful thing to be a part of and comforting to many.
While many people visit Beechwood for private reflection, many also come to enjoy our botanical gardens, including our annual spring display of more than 35,000 tulips and our spectacular fall colours. Others come for historic tours and to pay tribute in our sections designated for Canadian military and police services. School groups and individuals visit Macoun Marsh, our unique urban wetland. Concerts are hosted in our Sacred Space. Beechwood truly is a special place.
All this beauty inspires quiet reflection, get-togethers, walking, painting and photography.
