forest lawn cemetery tours buffalo ny

Forest Lawn Cemetery in Buffalo: Hours, tours and more information

• Updated: May. 28, 2024, 9:31 a.m.
• | Published: Jan. 20, 2016, 7:30 p.m.
• Matthew Fairburn | [email protected]

Forest Lawn Cemetery is considered one of the deliberately designed and professionally landscaped rural cemeteries in the United States, according to its website.

Built in 1850, Forest Lawn has more than 161,000 permanent residents spread across 269 acres and is a not-for-profit cemetery. Among the famous residents of Forest Lawn cemetery are former United States president Millard Filmore and musician Rick James.

The cemetery has also become a popular tourist destiantion.

1990 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14209

What to expect

On Sundays from June through October, visitors of Forest Lawn can take two-hour tours of the grounds. The trolley tour is $25 per person, while a walking tour is $15 per person. Led by a guide, these tours highlight the history, architecture and art of the grounds.

Forest Lawn also hosts a lecture series at Margaret L. Wendt Archive and Resource Center.

Spring/Summer Hours  (April 1 - October 31):

Delaware Avenue Gate:  8 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Main Street Gates: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Fall /Winter Hours (November 1 - March 31):

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Delaware Avenue Gates:  8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Main Street Gates: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Famous graves in Upstate NY

Consider a day trip to visit the grave of a notable deceased author, TV star or president. It's not like they're going anywhere.

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Forest Lawn Cemetery

Buffalo, ny.

T here’s no place like Forest Lawn. As one of the first deliberately designed and professionally landscaped rural cemeteries in the United States, its first interment took place in 1850. Today, there are more than 165,000 permanent residents in this 269-acre, not-for-profit cemetery, where all are welcome. Unmatched natural beauty – hills, valleys, lakes and streams. Sculptural masterpieces. Living history. Most importantly, the stories of those who now rest in peace under our care. Each has a story to be told, and these stories don’t end here. They live on through the expansive archives and genealogical resources of the Margaret L. Wendt Archive and Resource Center and through our award-winning tours, concerts, lectures and special events.

Visit the Forest Lawn Website

There are many tours, programs, and specialty events happening at Forest Lawn! Enjoy the history, the art, the natural beauty, the tranquility.

1990 Main Street Buffalo, NY 14208

Office Hours: Monday -Friday 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Saturday 8:30 am -12:30 pm

Mausoleum: Daily 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

(716) 885-1600

Forest Lawn Cemetery Group 1990 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14208 (716) 885-1600   |  Contact Us

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Ann's Entitled Life

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Forest Lawn Cemetery Trolley Tours

By Ann Leave a Comment

Forest Lawn Cemetery located in Buffalo, NY is rich in history. Sunday in the Cemetery offers guided trolley and walking tours, by trained docents that include wonderful, informative vignettes.

Hubby and I were Max-free a few weekends back. We decided to take advantage of being puppy-free by taking in some sites in the Buffalo-area that do not allow canine companions. We first went to the Buffalo Zoo. Then after lunch, we headed over to Forest Lawn Cemetery for a Sunday in the Cemetery Trolley Tour.

Now many of you may be scratching your heads – A cemetery tour!? you might ask. But as I have noted in my 100+ Things To Do In Niagara Falls and Buffalo, NY every year, Forest Lawn is both fascinating and beautiful.

Buffalo has a rich history going back to the early 1800s. (See Burning of Buffalo, War of 1812) At the turn of the 20th century, Buffalo was one of the wealthiest cities in the United States (millionaire’s row on Delaware Avenue is now corporate offices, but still a sight to behold!) Those buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery are the history of the Buffalo area (and beyond!)

Forest Lawn Cemetery covers 269 acres, 14 miles of roadway. It is modeled after Parisian cemeteries, and was established in 1849 by Charles E. Clark. A trolley tour is approximately 90 minutes – 2 hours in length. A walking tour is also available. The two tours differ.

We began our tour at the Chapel. Hubby checked us in, and then we went inside where we received a short history of the chapel and crematory.

Our tour was of Civil War Veterans. Our Civil War Historian guide was Keith from Echoes Through Time. I “believe” he teaches at one of the local colleges or universities, but my notes neglected to list where.

There are American soldiers buried in Forest Lawn that served in every American conflict starting with the American Revolution. Specific to the Civil War there are 7 medal of honor winners, 11 Union generals, 140 non-commissioned officers, 140 field officers, and 7 confederate veterans buried in Forest Lawn.

At timed stops, a “character” got on board our trolley to give us a short history of the person, and their involvement with the Civil War. One of our stops, included a short history of General Bennett Riley. He was the last military Governor of California before it became a state. Fort Riley in Kansas is named after him.

General Bennett Riley died in 1853, well before the Civil War. However his son, Major Bennett Riley, served in the Confederate Army in the Civil War. A graduate of West Point, he came home to Buffalo after the war to work for the Erie Railroad, and helped develop the Cleveland Waterfront. He died in 1915, and his gravestone sports the Confederate Battle Flag.

Red Jacket was a Seneca Indian and chief of the Wolf clan. He had a long history of negotiating with the British, and he is credited with helping the Americans during the war of 1812.

His grandson, Ely Parker was a Civil War General. He served as the adjutant to General Ulysses S. Grant. He wrote the final draft of the Confederate surrender terms at Appomattox.

Toward the end of the tour, “William Fargo”, who was Mayor of Buffalo got on the trolley and told us a little about his life. He (and his partners) started two “little” companies which you may have heard of: American Express, and Wells Fargo.

Scajaquada Creek runs through Forest Lawn.

When the tour was over, I took a few photographs of some mausoleums. There are many beautiful mausoleums in Forest Lawn Cemetery.

And of course we went over to President Millard Fillmore’s grave.

His first wife is also buried here. She died shortly after he left office, catching a cold that turned to pneumonia while at the swearing-in of Franklin Pierce.

The Forest Lawn Cemetery Tour was truly worth the fee. Interesting and informative, the tour captured the history of the time. I actually look forward to taking another Forest Lawn Cemetery Tour soon.

● Forest Lawn Cemetery Tours

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Sunday in the Cemetery tours taking place at Forest Lawn in Buffalo

BUFFALO, N.Y. — A tranquil place where you can reconnect with nature while learning about history; perhaps a cemetery isn't the first thing that comes to mind for that. But Forest Lawn’s Sunday in the Cemetery walking tours provide visitors with opportunities for enlightenment and reflection.

What You Need To Know

Forest lawn’s  sunday in the cemetery  walking tours provide visitors with opportunities for enlightenment and reflection the cemetery serves as an arboretum, a gallery and an outdoor museum the guided tour covers a portion of the 269 acres of ground, highlighting some of the cemetery’s most notable features, like the burial site of millard fillmore. in addition to the elaborate burial monuments, there are also sculptures that adorn the ground, holding stories of the history of the city and the cemetery there are more than 150,000 residents buried in the cemetery..

“You’re going to learn a little bit about everything," said Laura Fitzgerald, digital marketing coordinator and tour coordinator. "You’re going to hear stories about what we like to call our "permanent residents" here; some of them are notable names, some of them are not. You’re going to hear about the works of art that are here and the memorials, and a lot of times you’re going to hear why those specific residents chose those works of art to commemorate themselves, and you’re going to have a chance to see plenty of wildlife along the way.”

Serving as an arboretum, a gallery and an outdoor museum, Forest Lawn caters to the living as much as it does the departed. The rural cemetery was born out of the Industrial Revolution to accommodate growing populations, but also provide a space for people to find peace within a buzzing city.

“People were often working six days a week, 13-hour days and they were cooped up in crowded tenements or boarding houses and they needed a place to come outside and commune with nature," said Fitzgerald. "So they would often spend their days off here at Forest Lawn visiting loved ones that were buried here, but also picnicking on the grounds. At that time there were no public parks, so rural cemeteries, which is what Forest Lawn is an example of, really helped bring about the park movement in the United States.”

The guided tour covers a portion of the 269 acres of ground, highlighting some of the cemetery’s most notable features, like the burial site of Millard Fillmore, the 13th president of the United States.

In addition to the elaborate burial monuments, there are also sculptures that adorn the ground, holding stories of the history of the city and the cemetery. Though there are more than 150,000 residents at Forrest Lawn, there is still room for those who wish to reserve a spot in the necropolis for their final resting place.

“There’s a misconception out there that Forest Lawn is completely full and the case is that we have plenty of room, so if people are interested, they can certainly contact our office and get more information about either being interred here or cremated here and we have lots of various choices here that might surprise you.”

With its serene atmosphere and breathtaking sights, a walk through Forest Lawn can show how a Sunday in the Cemetery can be a beautiful departure from the ordinary.

LATEST NEWS

Forest Lawn Cemetery

Buffalo 's Forest Lawn Cemetery is a classic example of cemeteries created during the rural cemetery movement. Forest Lawn spans 269 acres and includes more than 10,000 species of trees (including a redwood), many public sculptures, and miles of curving roadways; The park-like setting includes the graves of various famous people, including President Millard Fillmore , and several remarkable memorials, the most well known being the Blocher Memorial and Frank Lloyd Wright 's Blue Sky Mausoleum . It is managed by the Forest Lawn Group .

The cemetery is listed on the State & National Register of Historic Places.

Forest Lawn offers free group walking and bus tours throughout the summer, and will provide custom tours for groups when arranged. There are maps available in the front office (Delaware Avenue gate) a "Field Guide to Forest Lawn Cemetery."

Notes and References

• Photos - Flickr Photos - all Creative Commons
• FindAGrave at Forest Lawn
• Partial List of Names
• Information and Links on Buffalhoah.com
• Bust of Verdi on Waymarking.com

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• Outdoor Recreation
• Sightseeing

9 Famous Residents of Forest Lawn Cemetery

By Jon Tashjian

Published on November 5, 2017 | Last Updated September 6, 2023

With fall foliage at its peak in the city, there may be no better time  to explore the beautiful landscaped grounds of the city’s largest cemetery, Forest Lawn . Founded in 1849, the bucolic 269-acre grounds are an oasis for exploring Buffalo’s past and learning about individuals whose impact extends well beyond the city limits. A stroll through the cemetery takes visitors through hills, valleys, lakes and bridges. Statues, sculptures and fountains adorn the pathways. And at the heart of the grounds, there are endless stories from its permanent residents.

Forest Lawn’s most famous residents include artists, inventors, captains of industry and a U.S. president. Here are nine examples:

#TravelBUF photo by Scott Balzer

Millard Fillmore, 13 th President of the United States Among Forest Lawn’s most famous residents, President Millard Fillmore was also one of Buffalo’s most distinguished citizens. His regional accomplishments included founding the University at Buffalo (serving as the university’s first chancellor), helping to found the Buffalo Historical Society and Buffalo General Hospital, and developing Buffalo’s city charter.  He also holds the dubious distinction of having no vice president during his time in the White House.

Shirley Chisolm , United States Congresswoman, Educator, Author Fighting Shirley Chisholm was the first African American woman elected to Congress in 1968, even winning re-election in 1970 before making a bid for the presidential seat in 1972. Although she did not win the election, Chisholm received an impressive 151 delegates. Posthumously in 2015, Chisholm was awarded the highest civilian honor, presented to individuals who have made especially meritorious contributions to the security or national interests of the United States – the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Rick James , Grammy Award-Winning Musician, Funkmaster Not to be outdone by a U.S. president, Buffalo native son James Ambrose Johnson, Jr. (better known as Rick James) rose to fame as a Grammy Award-winning singer, songwriter and R&B and funk musician. As written previously, the city boasts a robust music scene . James isn’t Bob Dylan. But without him, we wouldn’t have “Super Freak.” And we almost certainly wouldn’t have the  H ammer dance . That, in itself, would be devastating.

Photo by Michael Mandolfo

Willis Haviland Carrier, Father of Modern Air Conditioning Everyone living in a temperate or seasonal climate owes Willis Haviland Carrier their gratitude. During his time at the Buffalo Forge Company, Carrier was tasked with developing a solution that would control the temperature in a Brooklyn, NY printing plant. His invention is today recognized as the first modern air conditioning system – a technology that later earned him induction into the National Inventors Hall of Fame and recognition as one of TIME magazine’s “100 Most Influential People of the 20 th Century.”

Dr. Frederick Cook, North Pole Discoverer* Speaking of the cold, Dr. Frederick Cook was an American explorer, physician and ethnographer credited with reaching the North Pole on April 21, 1908. His claim to have discovered the location was disputed by explorer Robert Peary who cited the same feat on April 6, 1909. The verdict today remains debatable, but it makes a good story. * Potentially

Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha)

Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha) , Native American Seneca orator and chief of the Wolf clan Following the end of the American Revolutionary War, Red Jacket was a key negotiator in helping the Seneca nation secure territory within New York State. After a trip to Philadelphia, in which he led a delegation of 50 individuals, Red Jacket was presented the “peace medal” by our first President, George Washington. Sagoyewatha’s speech to the US Senate, “Religion for the White Man and the Red” is considered to be a prime example of his oratorical skill.

Kathleen Howard , Opera Singer, Actress, Magazine Editor A Canadian citizen, Howard spent her childhood years in Buffalo. She created the role of Zita in Giacomo Puccini’s Gianni Schicchi at the Metropolitan Opera in 1918 and was also memorable as Amelia, the wife of W.C. Fields in the film It’s a Gift. She appeared in two other films of W.C. Fields – You’re Telling Me!  and  Man on the Flying Trapeze . She told of her life as an opera singer in an autobiography, Confessions of an Opera Singer .

Dr. Roswell Park , Neurosurgeon and Medical Pioneer A Chicago native, Dr. Park traveled to Buffalo in 1883 to become chief surgeon at Buffalo General Hospital and professor of surgery at the University at Buffalo Medical School. Dr.  Park is perhaps best known for establishing what is today known as the Roswell Park Cancer Institute – the first cancer research center in the world – that ranks among the nation’s best.

Honorable Mention: Deer It won’t be found in any history archive or tourist map. However, a family of deer also calls Forest Lawn its home.  Cemetery patrons can find these woodland companions gently grazing or trotting across the grounds of Forest Lawn without heed to visiting hours or groundskeepers. They are known to make friends and, if treated with quiet courtesy and respect, may be willing to oblige a photograph.

Jon Tashjian

Jon Tashjian is PR & Communications Director for 19 IDEAS, a full-service communications agency on Buffalo's West Side. A Bostonian-turned-Buffalonian, he is a musician and storyteller with a penchant for turning life up to 11.

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