News, Tours & Events
Special Events at Forest Lawn
Check our Calendar for specific dates and times for these and ALL events!
JANUARY
Millard Fillmore Commemoration Event
The public is invited to join the University at Buffalo, the Buffalo Club and Forest Lawn to commemorate President Millard Fillmore's birthday (1/7/1800) at a special ceremony held annually at President Fillmore's grave in Section F of Forest Lawn. The ceremony typically includes the laying of several wreaths, including one from the White House, a memorial address and a few other traditions. All are invited to Forest Lawn's historic chapel for a reception following the ceremony.
MAY
Erie County American Legion Memorial Day Ceremony
Monday, May 27, 2013
8:30 a.m. Decoration of graves in the Field of Valor® and Veterans Section
9:00 a.m. Ceremony
The Erie County American Legion hosts its annual Memorial Day ceremony in front of the American Legion Memorial Monument in the Veterans Section of Forest Lawn, near the Main Street gate. Flags are placed on the graves of veterans buried in the Field of Valor® and in the American Legion veterans section before the ceremony. This event is free and open to the public; all are welcome, no reservations required.
View the 2013 Memorial Day Agenda.
JUNE THROUGH OCTOBER
Walking and Trolley Tours
Join us for a full season of walking and trolley tours through our historic grounds, including our popular Sunday In The Cemetery tours. Learn about our history, landscape, art and architecture, cemetery symbolism and our famous residents. You may even get to meet a few of them along the way! We also offer specialty tours, including Civil War; African American History, War of 1812 and Behind-the-scenes tours. View our 2013 schedule.
JUNE
Flag Retirement Ceremony
Saturday, June 8, 2013
2:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m.
The public is invited to join the Boy Scouts of America: Greater Niagara Frontier Council; Girl Scouts of Western New York; Erie County American Legion; City of Buffalo Fire Department; Forest Lawn and Rotary Club of Buffalo for our annual Flag Retirement Ceremony at the gravesite of Flag Day co-founder Sara Hinson. The ceremony provides a reverent and respectful way for Western New York residents to retire their worn flags before Flag Day (which is June 14). This event is free and open to the public; all are welcome, no reservations required.
NOVEMBER
Veterans Day Ceremony
Join the Erie County American Legion and Forest Lawn for the annual Veterans Day Ceremony, held near the Erie County American Legion monument just inside our Main Street gate. Boy Scouts place flags on the graves of veterans in Forest Lawn's Field of Valor® and in the Erie County American Legion section before the ceremony begins. The ceremony includes an invocation, recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance, placing of wreaths, gun salute, blowing of Taps and more. This event is free and open to the public; all are welcome, no reservations required.
Additional Special Events:
Buffalo State College Day of Service
August 25, 2012
On Saturday, August 25, 2012, more than 20 freshmen from Buff State worked for three hours sanding and scraping Forest Lawn's main gate for painting as part of the school's Day of Service program. Buffalo State’s president, Dr. Aaron Podolefsky, has declared 2012 the Year of the City at Buffalo State: a year to volunteer, partner, reach out, build, and enhance Buffalo State’s commitment to serve the city and contribute to the common good. Says Laura Hill Rao, Coordinator, Volunteer and Service-Learning Center at Buff State: "Many, many thanks for hosting a group of Buffalo State student volunteers this past Saturday! They were hot and tired when they got off the bus, but very enthusiastic about the work they did with all of you. The August day of service is a great way to connect our NEW students to the community, and we appreciate the support, enthusiasm, and excitement you all share with the students who come to you. Each of you are excellent role models of hard-working, active citizens, and you teach our students about the importance of being an engaged and contributing member of a community."
