Our historic chapel, built in 1882 with a significant expansion in 1932 designed by renowned architect E.B. Green, is one of the most iconic structures in Forest Lawn.

Our chapel can be rented for memorial services.  The chapel rental fee of $281 is specifically for use of the chapel and is separate from the New York State regulated fees for the burial, entombment or inurnment of a decedent in Forest Lawn (or our sister cemeteries). 

We are pleased to waive the chapel rental fee for:

  • Forest Lawn Group Cemetery lot owners or their direct heirs (when the interment is taking place at Forest Lawn or a Forest Lawn Group Cemetery). This includes lot owners at St. Matthew, Lakeside, Williamsville, and Gethsemane Cemeteries.
  • Next of kin of a decedent who was cremated at the Forest Lawn Cremation Company.

Click the button below to take a virtual tour of the Forest Lawn Chapel, then see the detailed information on the use of the chapel for memorial/committal services.

Please note that chapel CANNOT be used for a post-committal catered event (a breakfast or luncheon).

Chapel Request

The only way to secure the use of the Forest Lawn Chapel is to complete and submit this form.  You must do so at least 10 business days prior to the desired date for your memorial/committal service.

"*" indicates required fields

Your Name*
Address*
MM slash DD slash YYYY
Desired Time*
Name of the Deceased*

The Forest Lawn Chapel can ONLY be reserved for memorial or committal services in 2 ½ hour time periods to allow for clean-up and preparation for the next service. The only available time slots are:

9:00 AM – 11:30 AM
12:00 PM – 2:30 PM
3:00 PM – 5:30 PM (only between April 1st through November 1st)

No adjustments to the time slots are permitted.

The reservation times will be strictly managed to allow for clean-up of the facility by Forest Lawn staff between services.  Please be prepared to exit the chapel on or before the end of your time period.

If a funeral director is NOT PRESENT at the service, the Forest Lawn Group Chaplain must be present. Our Chaplain is available for services at any Forest Lawn Group cemetery at no charge to the family to facilitate a meaningful, cathartic and well-managed service.

If the family chooses to use their own clergy, the family MUST consult with the Forest Lawn Chaplain prior to the service and the Forest Lawn Chaplain MUST be present at the service as the principal celebrant to ensure that the timeline for the service and other parameters are strictly adhered to.

If a funeral professional is present and coordinating the service, the Forest Lawn Chaplain is NOT required.  The funeral professional is then responsible to strictly adhere to the timeline for the service and other parameters.

Forest Lawn and the New York State Department of Health require a New York State Licensed Funeral Director to be present for a casketed body service.

If an organist is requested, Forest Lawn has approved organists who must be used. Please note: The organ is a 1935 historic Wurlitzer pipe organ that was
recently renovated by a benefactor, thus we only allow our approved organists to play this instrument.

The family must contact the organist to review and select the music. The music selections for the service must be finalized at least 24 hours in advance of the service.

No outside electrical musical equipment, amplifiers, or other electrical instruments are permitted.

A stringed acoustic instrument only (guitar, violins, etc.) is allowed.  The performer is responsible for the care and custody of the instrument at all times. Forest Lawn assumes no responsibility or liability in the event of damage to or theft of the instrument.

After the memorial service, coffee, water and tea service is available on a self-serve basis in the Peter and Susie Flickinger Reception room at the Chapel at no charge.  Beverages are not permitted outside the Peter and Susie Flickinger Reception Room. Any time for refreshments must be taken within the two-hour timeframe for the service.

Please note that no outside food or beverages are allowed.

The chapel seating accommodates approximately 75 people. Due to space limitations additional seating is not available.

Forest Lawn will provide the following:

  • A register stand will be available directly inside the chapel entrance to allow for placement of a guest register book and prayer cards provided by the family or funeral director.
  • A table, approximately 2 feet depth by 3 feet in length, will be placed at the front of the chapel, directly in front of the altar, for placement of the urn. A single, 8” x 10” framed photograph may also be placed on the table.
  • Two white column flower stands will be available for the placement of floral arrangements – one placed on either side of the table.
  • Two easels will be provided to accommodate poster style photo boards which will only be permitted to be displayed in the Peter and Susie Flickinger Reception Room.

The Chapel Event Coordinator will confirm the availability and logistics of the memorial service only.

Should you wish to arrange for the interment or placement of the cremated remains of a loved one immediately following a memorial service in the chapel, you will need to contact the Interment Services team at Forest Lawn to schedule and review the process, including the payment of all applicable service fees.