(Buffalo, New York) – Evergreen Lawn Cemetery in the Town of Newstead, New York has merged with the Forest Lawn Cemetery and Crematory Group. Located at 13430 Bloomingdale Rd, across from Akron High School, Evergreen Lawn Cemetery was founded 131 years ago in 1893.

The transaction has met the necessary approval of the New York State Division of Cemeteries and the New York State Supreme Court, the Erie County Legislature, the Forest Lawn Board of Trustees and lot owners and the Bloomingdale Cemetery Association (d/b/a Evergreen Lawn Cemetery) Board of Directors and lot owners. The cemetery is now owned and operated by the Forest Lawn Cemetery and Crematory Group.

“After many years of service to the families of Evergreen Lawn, the cemetery’s Board of Directors is pleased to pass the stewardship of the cemetery to the Forest Lawn Group,” said Carole Borchert, secretary of Evergreen Lawn Cemetery’s Board of Directors. “This merger will assure the future of Evergreen Lawn – keeping the promise of perpetual care made to all those who rest within our gates.”

There are approximately 6,200 “permanent residents” in Evergreen Lawn Cemetery’s 7.5 acres, which includes two columbaria and a cremation scatter garden. Among its most notable residents are Harrison Morton Perry, the founder of Perry’s Ice Cream (1888-1975), and Henry Newman (1841-1910) who co-owned the H.L. and W.C. Newman Co., one of the region’s leading producers of flour and cement in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are also a significant number of U.S. military veterans interred in Evergreen Lawn, including those who fought in the War of 1812 and the Civil War, as well as more recent military conflicts.

“We are honored to welcome Evergreen Lawn Cemetery to the Forest Lawn family of cemeteries,” said Julie R. Snyder, chief executive officer of the Forest Lawn Group. “Our lot holders at Evergreen Lawn can be assured that the beauty and sanctity of these sacred cemetery grounds will continue to be maintained perpetually.”

Now, families interested in purchasing burial space at Evergreen Lawn Cemetery will be able to take advantage of benefits which are available at all Forest Lawn Group cemeteries. In the coming months, current and future lot owners at Evergreen Lawn will have the ability to access their burial records online on the newly created Evergreen Lawn Cemetery website (Evergreenlawncemetery.com). Additional burial and interment options are also planned. Burial space is still available at this historic cemetery and inquiries can be made by calling (716) 885-1600.

Evergreen Lawn Cemetery is now legally owned and operated by the Forest Lawn Cemetery and Crematory Group, which includes Forest Lawn in Buffalo; St. Matthew’s Cemetery in West Seneca; Lakeside Cemetery in Hamburg; Lancaster Rural Cemetery in the Town of Lancaster; two cemeteries in the Village of Williamsville – Williamsville Cemetery and Gethsemane Cemetery; Oakwood Cemetery in East Aurora; Forest Hills Cemetery in Attica; Griffins Mills Cemetery in Glens Falls; the Freedom Cemeteries in the Town of Freedom; and Quaker Settlement Cemetery in Warsaw, as well as the Forest Lawn Cremation Company.