Woodlawn Cemetery History

Saskatoon's Woodlawn Cemetery has seen approximately 63,000 burials since it was first opened.

To find the location of your loved one, please use the Cemetery Burial Search.

Woodlawn History

Woodlawn cemetery was established in 1906.

Until 1904, the Nutana (Pioneer) Cemetery south of the river in the original 1883 Temperance Colony settlement, was Saskatoon's only burial grounds. That year, the Summerdale Cemetery opened west of Saskatoon in Smithville, and some burials were done there, as well as at the St. Paul's Roman Catholic Cemetery, which was established by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Saskatchewan in 1905. 

By then, it was clear that Saskatoon needed a cemetery north of the river, where most of the people now lived. For one thing, since there was no traffic bridge yet, simply getting to Nutana was difficult. As well, Nutana and Saskatoon -- the present-day downtown -- were separate towns. 

A petition submitted to Council in 1905 states:

• "Whereas the Town of Saskatoon has no Cemetery and is obliged to inter its dead in the cemetery situated in Nutana or the cemetery situated at Smithville.
• And whereas the cemetery at Smithville is situated about six miles West from Saskatoon and is too far from Saskatoon to be convenient for its Citizens.
• And whereas the roads leading to the Nutana Cemetery are very poor and unsafe to use a hearse thereon.
• And whereas many people are prevented from attending funerals of their friends at the Nutana cemetry on account of the said roads and at the Smithville cemetery on account of the distance.
• And whereas it is desirable that the Town of Saskatoon should have a cemetery of its own.
• Wherefore your petitioners pray that the Council of the Town of Saskatoon shall provide a suitable cemetery for the said town and your petitioners as in duty bound will ever pray."

The site selected was next to the Roman Catholic cemetery, which was transferred to the City in 1918. Although the last burial in the Nutana (Pioneer) Cemetery was in 1948, Woodlawn was the official cemetery from the time it opened. The first recorded burial was that of an infant, on January 5, 1906. Some unidentified burials are known to have occurred while the Catholic Cemetery was in exclusive use of the site. 

Based on current usage, Woodlawn Cemetery is expected to continue as Saskatoon's municipal cemetery for at least another 30 years.

Memorial Avenue

On June 23, 1923 the Next-Of-Kin Memorial Avenue of Trees was dedicated at Woodlawn Cemetery to commemorate those killed during the Great War of 1914-1918.

It came out of the efforts of two Saskatoon women, Mrs. A.H. Hanson and Mrs. J.W.A. Jarvis, who proposed that a tree planted along a road through the cemetery, along with a plaque, for each individual killed in the war. Both women served on the Education Committee of the Imperial Order Daughters of the Empire, (IODE), which was in full support of the idea. With support from various groups in Saskatoon as well as City Council, the idea became a reality.

Larger Than One War

On that June day in 1923, the Next-Of-Kin Memorial Avenue of Trees was officially consecrated. The ceremony that day was to be the first annual memorial service. Since that time, the yearly event and scope of the Avenue has been expanded to memorialize the family members who died in both world wars, as well as the Korean War, and trees have been planted in many of their memories.

Each year, a ceremony is held at a stone cairn in the Woodlawn Cemetery. At that first ceremony in 1923, 265 trees were dedicated. In the years since, the number has grown to over 1,200. The ceremony and the Memorial Avenue have continued to be a focus of remembrance and gratitude to those who gave their lives in the conflicts that the nation has been involved in.

Last Remaining Memorial Avenue in Canada

Memorial avenues of this type became popular in Canada, the United States and England. A number of these avenues were developed and promoted in Canada. The first is thought to have been in Victoria, B.C. Others were developed in Winnipeg, Manitoba; Calgary, Alberta; Montreal, Quebec; and Thunder Bay, Ontario. 

Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue is the only intact Road of Remembrance remaining in Canada. It was declared a National Historic Site in 1992 and a plaque was unveiled on August 28, 1994.

Trees continue to be dedicated throughout the cemetery at Saskatoon’s annual Decoration Day Service. 2023 marked the 107th anniversary of this long-standing tradition.

Next-of-Kin 100th Anniversary Celebration

On Sunday, June 18th, 2023, the City of Saskatoon hosted a celebration of the 100th Anniversary of Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue in Woodlawn Cemetery. Joined by the Lieutenant Governor and other dignitaries, along with members of the Canadian Armed Forces, veterans’ organizations and the heritage community, in the commemoration and re-dedication ceremony.

Immediately following the 100th Anniversary commemoration, Saskatoon’s Annual Citizens’ Decoration Day Service was held at the Soldiers’ Memorial Cairn. Decoration Day provides an opportunity to pay tribute to those brave individuals who lost their lives in the service of our country.