Cedar Lawn Cemetery was incorporated on March 28th, 1865, comprising 135 acres, at the southeast corner of the city immediately opposite to the widening of the Passaic River, known as Dundee Lake, where the land runs up in a gentle slope westward from the lake.

General Egbert L. Viele, an expert topographical and landscape engineer, devised the layout. Many burials seen there may pre-date the cemetery establishment, as prominent citizens of the area removed their family to Cedar Lawn, where a perpetual care charter provides for protection and maintenance.

Prior to 1867, interments in Paterson and its vicinity were made in graveyards without concern or funds held for their future up-keep.

The original capacity of the cemetery was planned to be about 250,000 graves.

Cedar Lawn Cemetery was incorporated on March 28th, 1865, comprising 135 acres, at the southeast corner of the city immediately opposite to the widening of the Passaic River, known as Dundee Lake, where the land runs up in a gentle slope westward from the lake.

General Egbert L. Viele, an expert topographical and landscape engineer, devised the layout. Many burials seen there may pre-date the cemetery establishment, as prominent citizens of the area removed their family to Cedar Lawn, where a perpetual care charter provides for protection and maintenance.

Prior to 1867, interments in Paterson and its vicinity were made in graveyards without concern or funds held for their future up-keep.

The original capacity of the cemetery was planned to be about 250,000 graves.