The Belleville Cemetery Company
Incorporated on August 27th, 1872
At the time, there had been a number of health concerns over the use of Church burial grounds which were rapidly running out of space and it was felt that there was a need to have a cemetery located outside the town limits. After a number of years of discussions, a small number of citizens finally banded together to form a joint stock company and through the sale of 500 shares at $25 each raised enough funds to buy the current property for $5,500 from Lewis Cruikshank. It is interesting to note that up until that time most burials were in Church graveyards. The intent of this new cemetery was that it would be non-denominational. Also of note is that one of the first things constructed was a dock, as in those days some of the bodies arrived by water.
From its beginning in 1872 to now, the only shareholders of the property are the lot owners and it has remained as a not-for-profit organization overseen by a volunteer Board of directors. All funds received are invested back into the cemetery. A Care and Maintenance Fund of approximately 4 million dollars ensures that long-term maintenance can continue to be provided to the property. In addition to the property itself, there are niche walls, a scattering garden and an onsite crematorium. The Company is constantly looking for new ways to adapt the cemetery to the needs of the community and to remain a relevant and important part of it.
The shareholders hired a noted landscape architect, H.A. Engelhardt of Toronto, to do the layout of the cemetery. He also laid out the grounds for Sir James Whitney School in 1871 and helped in the design of Central Park in New York. Following his design of Mount Pleasant Cemetery in Toronto, he then became its superintendent.
The cemetery opened for business in 1873 and in 1875 a by-law was passed in Belleville banning burials within the town limits. There were some transfers at that time from other Churches to the cemetery grounds and this was the start of the Belleville Cemetery as we know it today. It has endured many changes and some crises over the years but has remained true to its roots as a non-denominational community cemetery.
One thing that should be emphasized is that visitors have been welcome since 1872. They are encouraged to come and enjoy the natural, peaceful, park-like setting. A cemetery should be a place not just for the departed but for the living to enjoy as well.
Our People
Belleville Cemetery is the resting place of Canada’s fifth Prime Minister Mackenzie Bowell, Canadian author Susanna Moodie and her husband, Dunbar Moodie, the first Sheriff of Hastings County, and an early pioneer in Deaf Education in Ontario – Samuel Thomas Greene and countless other people.
Mackenzie Bowell
1823-1917
Susanna Moodie
1803-1885
Samuel Thomas Greene
1843-1890
Donate to Belleville Cemetery
The Belleville Cemetery Company is a not-for-profit corporation dedicated to the provision and maintenance of final resting places for the citizens of Belleville and the surrounding area in a serene, park-like setting. The Cemetery is operated solely for the benefit of the public. Charitable receipts will be issued for all donations.