Brookside Cemetery Corporation

The Brookside Cemetery Corporation is a Canadian nonprofit organization responsible for the upkeep, maintenance, and administration of Brookside Cemetery, one of the largest and historically significant cemeteries in Canada. The corporation manages the cemetery grounds, facilitates the sale of burial plot rights, and oversees the opening and closing of graves.

History and Significance

Brookside Cemetery, established in 1878, is located in Winnipeg, Manitoba. It is one of the oldest and largest cemeteries in Western Canada, with over 100,000 burials to date. The cemetery is notable for its park-like setting featuring mature trees, abundant wildlife, and a serene environment. It serves as the final resting place for a diverse cross-section of the community, including decorated war heroes, politicians, and athletes, reflecting the historical fabric of Winnipeg.[1][4]

In 2023, Brookside Cemetery was designated a National Historic Site of Canada, recognizing it as a premier example of the Euro-American garden cemetery tradition in Western Canada. This designation underlines its cultural and historical importance.[3]

Features and Facilities

Brookside Cemetery spans approximately 203 acres and offers a variety of burial options:

• Traditional in-ground casket burial lots
• Cremation burial lots
• Above-ground columbaria for cremated remains
• Scattering gardens
• Memorial boulders and a Book of Memories (memorial wall)
• A Field of Honour dedicated to more than 10,000 veterans and service members
• Historic property lots and an ossuary
• An administration building to support operations and services

The cemetery also includes specialized memorial areas, such as sections for firefighters, a Korean War Veterans memorial, Hong Kong Veterans cairn commemorating members of C Force and the Winnipeg Grenadiers, and the Dugald Train Wreck memorial.[1][4]

Military and Memorial Importance

Brookside Cemetery hosts one of Canada’s largest and oldest military burial grounds, the Field of Honour, established in 1915. It contains over 11,000 veterans, servicemen, and women, including 470 war graves. The Field of Honour features the only Stone of Remembrance in Canada, unveiled in 1960 by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission to honor Commonwealth military personnel interred in Canada who served in the world wars.[4]

Additionally, the cemetery honors individuals who donated their bodies to medical research and teaching at the University of Manitoba. Since 1952, an annual "Service After Death" commemorates these donors, with a monument and plaque dedicated in 2003.[4]

Operations

The Brookside Cemetery Corporation manages ongoing maintenance, improvements to the property, and the administration of burial rights. It ensures the cemetery remains a peaceful and respectful place for visitors and families.[2]

This article summarizes the key aspects of the Brookside Cemetery Corporation, the nonprofit organization dedicated to managing one of Canada’s most historically significant cemeteries.