Hamilton Cemetery is the oldest, public burial ground in the city of Hamilton. It is located on Burlington Heights, an isthmus that separates Hamilton's harbor on the east from Cootes Paradise on the west.



The first burials took place in 1847. Historically, the cemetery consists of three, separate burial grounds over 100 acres: Burlington Heights Cemetery (Municipal), the Christ Church Grounds and the Church of Ascension Grounds. For the first 45 years, each burial ground was administered separately but by the early 1890s the churches were finding it difficult to pay for maintenance. In 1892, an agreement was made to transfer all responsibility to the City of Hamilton, which unified all three cemeteries under the name "Hamilton Cemetery".



The cemetery was heavily used until the end of the 19th century but by the early 20th century there was little vacant burial space. New municipal cemeteries were needed and ultimately created at Woodland and Eastlawn. Hamilton Cemetery is still open for burials but only for those who own deeds to unused plots.



Over the years, there have been a number of re-interments from smaller local cemeteries. These include burials from St Paul's Presbyterian, Christ Church Cathedral and small family plots like the Hamilton family.

Hamilton Cemetery is the oldest, public burial ground in the city of Hamilton. It is located on Burlington Heights, an isthmus that separates Hamilton's harbor on the east from Cootes Paradise on the west.



The first burials took place in 1847. Historically, the cemetery consists of three, separate burial grounds over 100 acres: Burlington Heights Cemetery (Municipal), the Christ Church Grounds and the Church of Ascension Grounds. For the first 45 years, each burial ground was administered separately but by the early 1890s the churches were finding it difficult to pay for maintenance. In 1892, an agreement was made to transfer all responsibility to the City of Hamilton, which unified all three cemeteries under the name "Hamilton Cemetery".



The cemetery was heavily used until the end of the 19th century but by the early 20th century there was little vacant burial space. New municipal cemeteries were needed and ultimately created at Woodland and Eastlawn. Hamilton Cemetery is still open for burials but only for those who own deeds to unused plots.



Over the years, there have been a number of re-interments from smaller local cemeteries. These include burials from St Paul's Presbyterian, Christ Church Cathedral and small family plots like the Hamilton family.