cityofboston.gov

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department has announced that construction on Fairview Cemetery will commence August 1.  The work marks the beginning of a $1,430,000 expansion project at the City owned and operated cemetery located at 28 Fairview Avenue in Hyde Park.  The work is expected to be completed by the end of the year.

The project will involve the creation of approximately 1,660 new gravesites with a total interment capacity of about 3,200.  In keeping with City of Boston cemetery policy, the graves will be sold for the immediate burial of Boston residents with no pre-need sales permitted.

To save space and simplify the overall interment operation, the project includes the installation of empty precast concrete burial vaults in each lot.  This technique is less costly, reduces the amount of excavation required for each grave, and eliminates surplus fill resulting from conventional burial techniques.  This technique has been used successfully in the past at Fairview Cemetery.

In addition, the project will include installation of a 384-niche cremation wall with capacity for 768 remains.  With the cremation rate approaching 40% in Massachusetts, this is seen as a necessary alternative to provide for the memorialization and entombment of cremated remains at a time when land resources are becoming limited.  The niche wall will be set into a hillside to minimize the impact to the land form, maximize the potential space for inurnment/memorialization and create an aesthetic and dignified facility for the citizens of Boston.  This facility will become a focal point upon entering the gates of Fairview Cemetery.

The project will also provide the benefit of creating increased access to the rear of the cemetery via a new driveway that will greatly improve traffic circulation during funeral processions.

The plans for the Fairview reconstruction project were prepared by BSC Group of Boston, leaders in the cemetery design field who have worked with the Boston Parks and Recreation Department for several years.