Forest Lawn — Attraction in City of Tonawanda

Forest Lawn Cemetery, located in Buffalo, New York, is not only a place of rest for the deceased but also a significant historical and cultural landmark. Established in 1849, it spans over 269 acres, making it one of the largest cemeteries in the United States. Forest Lawn is known for its beautiful landscaping, impressive sculptures, and notable monuments, embodying the rural cemetery movement of the 19th century which sought to create cemetery parks that were as much about the living as they were about memorializing the dead.

The cemetery was designed with the idea of creating a peaceful and scenic environment, moving away from the earlier, more crowded churchyard burial grounds. This concept was part of a broader movement that influenced the creation of public parks and green spaces across America. The layout of Forest Lawn includes winding paths, gentle hills, serene lakes, and a diverse collection of trees and plants, designed to reflect a natural, park-like setting.

Over the years, Forest Lawn has become the final resting place for many prominent individuals, including U.S. Presidents, inventors, artists, and business leaders. This has made it not only a place of historical interest but also a site of pilgrimage for those wishing to pay their respects to these notable figures. Among its famous residents are President Millard Fillmore, singer Rick James, and inventor Lawrence Dale Bell, founder of Bell Aircraft Corporation.

Forest Lawn is also known for its commitment to education and community engagement. It offers a variety of tours, events, and educational programs that highlight the cemetery's rich history, art, and architecture. These activities provide insights into the lives of the individuals buried there, as well as the cultural and historical contexts in which they lived.

The cemetery has evolved over the years, adding new sections and embracing modern memorial practices, yet it remains committed to preserving its historical legacy and natural beauty. Forest Lawn continues to serve as a vital part of Buffalo's heritage, offering a unique blend of history, culture, and natural beauty to residents and...

Forest Lawn Cemetery is located in the heart of Buffalo and although in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city, you can't help but feel in the country and at peace when on its grounds. The entire cemetery is well landscaped over rolling hills and scattered with lakes, ponds and a stream. The old time arcticecture and stones is something you just don't find anymore bringing you back in time. When it's time to start looking for a site, you will not find a more professional, caring team then the one at this cemetery. They are extremely fast at getting back to all questions and concerns and work around your schedule as much as possible. When finally meeting in person, they all sit down and listen to your needs and wants. They take you through the grounds and mark specific grave sites that are available. Upon completion, you go back to the main office where you will discuss further options, from payment, to stone types allowed all the way down to how many caskets/urns can be buried in a single plot. At no time do they pressure you and give you as much time as you need to make your decision for your loved ones or yourself. All financing is done in house and can be either paid up front in one single time where you will get 30% off the plot site or over a period of time with 10% down. When looking for a final resting place, look no further then the grounds of Forest...

This is one of the most beautiful cemeteries I've ever seen. However, the process to bury a loved one here was terrible. It was a few years ago now, but burying my God-father here was awful. The people who worked here kept telling us how the caskets were stacked like pancakes. Don't ask me why she kept saying that to us when we were seeing if we could bury him with his mom. There were different quotes given to me and then my God mom when she got there to do arrangements (mine was much lower). Nothing was digitized so the lady pulled out an ancient book to pencil in that we were buying his ashes there. I couldn't go back to the cemetery after the graveside service for awhile I was so angry. Later, when we buried my grandmother, they broke the headstone and we walked on top of other flat headstones on a tarp to get the the grave side. It felt so disrespectful. It's beautiful to visit, but I don't think I want to bury anymore loved ones they're after my past few interactions with the...