Some cemeteries are small and quiet, tucked behind a church or hidden along a country road. Others are so large they feel more like cities for the dead. Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges in Montreal definitely falls into that second category.

Located on the slopes of Mount Royal, this cemetery is the largest in Canada and one of the largest in North America. With winding roads, towering monuments, and thousands of trees, it feels less like a cemetery and more like a historic park filled with stories.

History

Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges was founded in 1854 by the parish of Notre-Dame in Montreal. The first burial took place on May 29, 1855, for a 35-year-old Irish woman named Jane Gilroy.¹ Earlier cemeteries had been located near churches, but space and hygiene concerns, along with a 1853 city bylaw, forced a move to Mount Royal.¹

Sitting on the mountain gives the cemetery symbolic meaning in Catholic tradition, representing hope for the promised resurrection. Surrounded by nature, it also offers a quiet place for reflection. Walking among the trees and winding paths, visitors can feel the combination of history, art, and natural beauty all at once, which also makes it a great spot for photography.

Today, Notre-Dame-Des-Neiges is recognized as the largest cemetery in Canada and the third largest in North America.²

The cemetery was designed during a time when burial grounds were being reimagined as peaceful landscapes rather than crowded churchyards. Its layout was influenced by the famous Père Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, with winding paths, scenic views, and carefully planned monuments.³

Over the years, the cemetery has become the final resting place for many notable Canadians, including hockey legend Maurice “The Rocket” Richard, beloved folk singer La Bolduc, music producer and talent manager René Angélil, and Sir Georges-Étienne Cartier, one of the “Fathers of Confederation”.⁴

The cemetery also functions as a large natural park, with more than 13,500 trees spread across its grounds.³ Because of its historical, cultural, and artistic importance, the cemetery was designated a National Historic Site of Canada in 1999.⁵

Haunted

With a cemetery this old and this large, it probably comes as no surprise that there are plenty of ghost stories attached to it.

One of the most well-known spirits is that of Sarah Ellen Page King, also called Sadie. Witnesses say her grave site is haunted by the sounds of a woman and infant weeping and crying.⁶ Sadie’s story is a tragic one. After losing her infant son George, she was sent to the Saint-Jean-de-Dieu Lunatic Asylum, likely for depression, and remained there for 24 years until she died in 1946.⁶ Her family never visited or even acknowledged her, and when she was buried beside her son, no tombstone was placed in her memory.⁶

While other alleged spirits haunt the cemetery, Sadie’s story is the one most often told for its tragic and haunting presence.⁶

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, it’s easy to see how the atmosphere of such a large and historic place could spark a few spooky legends.

My Visit

I visited in July of last year while I was in Montreal with my fiancé. He had a tattoo appointment, which meant I had some time to myself.

Naturally, I decided to spend it wandering around the cemetery.

Before I arrived, I made a short list of graves I wanted to visit, including “The Rocket” Richard and La Bolduc.

Even with Google Maps to guide me, I still got completely turned around. At one point, I wandered over to the maintenance office just as a bus full of workers was about to head out for the workday. I asked them for directions to the main office, and they kindly offered me a ride. I accepted and took a seat near the front.

They were the grass crew heading out to cut grass and clean up weeds around the cemetery. I happened to be wearing a T-shirt with my logo on it, which sparked a few curious questions. When I told them I was a cemetery photographer, they seemed genuinely interested. Everyone was very kind, and after a short drive, they dropped me off at the main office before heading off to start their workday.

I always try to visit the cemetery office, when there is one, because you never know what kind of interesting things they might have. The office was fairly busy, so I didn’t want to take up too much of their time. I asked if they had any brochures or maps, and they were able to give me a few pamphlets and they had a small booklet for sale. The only booklet they had left was in French, but I happily bought it anyway, since my mother speaks French and could translate it for me later.

To say the cemetery is big is an understatement.

I spent several hours walking the grounds and still only saw a small portion of it. It also happened to be an extremely hot day, so I took plenty of breaks in shady spots to cool down and catch my breath.

I did not manage to visit every grave on my list, but that just means I will have to go back and explore another section of the cemetery.

Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, Montreal QC ©2025

Even after several hours of walking, I felt like I had only scratched the surface of Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges. The size alone makes it an adventure, and every path seems to lead to another interesting monument or historic grave.

Next time I visit Montreal, this cemetery will definitely be on my list again. After all, there are still plenty of stories waiting to be discovered.

Thanks for reading!

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References:

1. History and Heritage | Cimetiere Notre-Dame-Des-Neiges
2. Cimetière Notre-Dame-des-Neiges | Find a Grave
3. Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery | Tourisme Montreal
4. Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery | Atlas Obscura
5. Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery National Historic Site of Canada | Parks Canada
6. Haunted Montreal Blog #96 – Notre-Dame-des-Neiges Cemetery | Haunted Montreal