Rest in peace?
Welcome to the Back River Memorial Gardens Website.
( Photo of the Cemetery's different gates)
Welcome to the Back River Memorial Gardens Website
The Back River Cemetery, established in 1867,
is one of the first Jewish cemeteries in Montreal and amongst the oldest
in Canada. Located in the northeast section of Montreal, the cemetery
contains 7500 burial plots, 6000 of which are in use. Many of these graves
date back to the latter part of the 19th Century; the Back River Cemetery
is part of Montreal's Jewish heritage. Many founding members of the community
are buried there alongside the parents, grandparents and great-grandparents
of future generations of community leaders.
Unfortunately as the Jewish population moved
away from St. Denis Street, where the Back River Gardens are located, this
cemetery became less popular and fell almost into disuse: today there are
approximately 30 burials per year.
Over the years, a lack of funding resulted in poor maintenance. The cemetery, always plagued with dampness and water problems, has fallen into severe neglect. More than five hundred gravestones have either fallen, been pushed over, are broken or have been defaced by vandalism. One thousand more are in danger of falling over. The Back River Cemetery as it has become known today suffers from land erosion, neglect and vandalism.
Recently, in keeping with the tradition of
"Chevra Kadisha", caring for the dead, the Back River Memorial Gardens
Inc. was formed with the mandate to restore and maintain the cemetery in
a manner that is fitting to those that are buried there. Representatives
from both the Back River Cemetery affiliates and Federation CJA -- as well
as individuals who have been involved with the Baron de Hirsch and Back
River cemeteries -- have recently established a Board consisting of fifteen
members to seek solutions to restore the cemetery and to raise the money
necessary for these implementations. This website has been built to increase
the awareness about the unfortunate situation of the Back River Gardens
and will provide up to date information as well as photos showing the progress
of the restoration. Please help us by browsing out site.
  |