Forest Lawn Dedicates New Legacy Mausoleum

Ceremony and ribbon cutting mark the opening of new $3.2M community mausoleum to meet increasing demand for above-ground interment space.

Cemetery time capsule also to be placed at Legacy.

(Buffalo, New York) - Leaders of Forest Lawn Cemetery and members of its Board of Trustees were joined by representatives of ARC, the Erie Niagara Funeral Directors Association (ENFDA) and the New York State Division of Cemeteries to dedicate and officially open Forest Lawn's seventh community mausoleum, "Legacy."

A form of interment originating centuries ago, a mausoleum is an above-ground, free-standing building that holds the casketed or cremated remains of the deceased in either crypts (caskets) or niches (cremated remains). A "private" mausoleum is built for the members of a particular family, while interment in a "community" mausoleum is available to all.

Forest Lawn is home to more than 90 private mausoleums, many built for Buffalo's most prominent families in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. The new Legacy Mausoleum is the first community mausoleum to be added on its grounds in over 20 years, with the last being the renowned Blue Sky Mausoleum, the only funerary design by legendary architect Frank Llyod Wright, which was dedicated in 2004.

"As a 176 year old cemetery, Forest Lawn has had many important milestones throughout our rich history, and today as we dedicate our new Legacy Mausoleum, we mark a new milestone that will be key to our future," said Julie R. Snyder, CEO of the Forest Lawn Cemetery Group. "This wonderful facility was built to meet the growing demand among Western New York families for above-ground space for either cremation or casketed interment. We are very pleased to make this this attractive new option available to our community."

Constructed of poured-in-place concrete and granite, Legacy Mausoleum is an open air, "garden style" mausoleum, accented by natural landscapes with manicured trees and flowers. It includes 384 crypts for casketed burial (288 for single caskets and 92 "tandem" crypts which can accommodate two caskets), as well as 400 niches for cremation urns.

Designed by JST Architects of Texas, a firm with a longstanding reputation for cemetery design, construction of the $3.2M Legacy Mausoleum was managed by ARC. The Buffalo firm has a strong family connection to Forest Lawn and an impressive portfolio of projects such as the Darwin Martin House, the Hotel Henry, the Buffalo AKG Art Museum and most recently, has played a key role in the construction of the new $2.2B Highmark Stadium.

"The completion of the Legacy Mausoleum holds deep meaning for both Forest Lawn, ARC and our family," said Frank L. Ciminelli, II, President and CEO of ARC. "Some of the earliest commercial projects our family undertook as we expanded beyond concrete flatwork and plant work were mausoleums. In fact, my first field experience as a freshman in college was working on a mausoleum, where I gained an appreciation for the craftsmanship, discipline, and attention to detail required to create structures that stand the test of time."

Ciminelli continued, "What makes this project especially meaningful is the extraordinary work of the skilled tradespeople, craftspeople, and subcontractors who brought it to life. Their expertise, dedication, and pride in their work are evident in every detail of this building. A mausoleum is unlike most construction projects; it demands precision, patience, and a commitment to quality that will endure for generations. The team embraced that responsibility and delivered a structure that honors Forest Lawn's legacy while creating a lasting place of remembrance for families. It has been an honor to partner with Forest Lawn on this historic project. The Legacy Mausoleum stands as a testament not only to thoughtful design and construction, but also to the talent, professionalism, and craftsmanship of the people who built it."

According to Snyder, the new Legacy Mausoleum is already emerging as a very popular choice within Forest Lawn's 269 acres. "We've seen a great deal of interest in Legacy over the last several months during its 'pre-sale' phase," Synder said. "A number of families have purchased spaces here. In fact, one 'permanent resident' already rests in Legacy. We always encourage people to 'plan today for tomorrow,' and that's particularly important in this case, as demand for space in Legacy continues to grow."

Fittingly, as part of the dedication and ribbon cutting ceremony for Legacy, a time capsule was buried next to the new mausoleum. Forest Lawn will memorialize instructions to open the time capsule in July 2049 - the historic cemetery's bicentennial.

To learn more about the options for casketed or cremation interment space in Legacy Mausoleum, or all options across the Forest Lawn Cemetery Group, the region's longest standing and largest group, call (716) 885-1600 or go to forest-lawn.com.

About Forest Lawn
Forest Lawn is one of the first deliberately designed and professionally landscaped rural cemeteries in the United States. Its first interment took place in 1850. Today, more than 170,000 "permanent residents" rest within the gates of this 269-acre, not-for-profit cemetery serving all faiths. Listed on the State and National Registries of Historic Places, and designated as a Level II Arboretum, Forest Lawn is also at the heart of Western New York's cultural tourism renaissance. A destination enjoyed by thousands of local, national and international visitors each year, drawn by their interest in art, history, nature, recreation and genealogy research, Forest Lawn offers a robust schedule of guided tours and other programs throughout the year. For more information, visit https://forest-lawn.com or find us on Facebook or Instagram.