The Forest Lawn Cemetery Association was organized under the laws of Nebraska on May 13, 1885. The founding trustees were: Herman Kountze, James Forsyth, William R. Brown, Milton Rogers, M.H. Buss, J.H. Brackin, H.G. Clark, J.J. Brown, O.S. Woods, and Charles H. Brown. The cemetery is mutually owned, operated without profit, with the title resting with the lot owners.

The beauty of the cemetery has been maintained over the years through the perpetual care fund which is financed through 25% of the receipts of lot sales. The cemetery was developed on the park plan which has been widely accepted throughout the country. It has ensured the sweep of velvety lawns and the smooth, well-kept appearance of the area. Wide, hard-surfaced roads wind through the forest making access easy to all grave sites.

Memorial art has been among the most impressive in the nation, but still, the forest and lawn aspects of the 349 acres are the most noteworthy characteristics. The main entrance was for years on the east side of the grounds off North 30th Street and Forest Lawn Drive. An attractive new main entrance is now open on the west side of the memorial park on Mormon Bridge Road, just south of the 48th Street Exit off of Interstate I 680.

 The cemetery’s chapel is a work of art with its granite exterior, copper roof, mosaic tiles, and stained glass windows along with the columbarium in the lower level. A number of the early amenities of the memorial park have disappeared in recent years.   Three lakes comprised the chain of lakes, an inspirational point in the cemetery. Swans and waterfowl found homes there for many years. Springs that fed the lakes eventually dried and the lakes are but a warm memory.  Another feature of the past, the cemetery greenhouses are also gone. They played an important role for many years and were part of the popular flower festival at the cemetery which attracted thousands of people to the grounds. Also a thing of the past are the great lily ponds which dotted the landscape. As these landmarks gave way, the cemetery  concentrated more on the forest and lawn aspects of the memorial park and today it continues to rank as one of the most beautiful cemeteries in the country.

Forest Lawn has rigorous rules and regulations that help protect and maintain the beauty of its grounds. These rules are strictly enforced for the good of all lot owners.  There has always been a good spirit of  cooperation in observing the cemetery’s regulations. General care, which includes mowing the grass, trimming trees and shrubbery and filling in depressions on lots, is given to all lots without expense to the lot owners. In order to assure such care, the association sets apart in its Perpetual Care Fund a percentage of the receipts from the sale of lots and single graves.  Historic Omaha family names dot the peaceful hills, men and women who helped build our community. Many veterans who served their country in the two World Wars, and the wars in Korea and Vietnam rest here. Forest  lawn has an aura that both consoles and inspires. Nothing shall, as the centuries roll on, disturb that sleep, nor mar the beauty of this spot which death has hallowed, and which love preserves with tender memories.

BACK