A place to be

Ancestors and descendants meet at Fernhill Cemetery on 80 hectares of mature trees, gardens and meadows interlaced with 80 kilometers of walking paths and roadways.

Not only is Fernhill a resting place for friends and family, it is a destination for historians tracing genealogy, for horticulturalists studying a mature park setting, for walkers and joggers seeking a measure of peace, tranquility and gentle exercise.

Take a new look at Fernhill

After over 150 years, Fernhill has become such a central part of our heritage that people have begun to take it for granted. We want to change some of those preconceptions.

Although Fernhill was founded back in 1848, almost two decades before Confederation, we are just barely middle-aged and there is still a lot to do. Funeral technology is an evolving science of which we are proud to be on the forefront. There is always new work being done on the grounds, new plantings and landscaping. Fernhill is in the full bloom of maturity with a long journey ahead and many new friends to meet.

What’s happening at Fernhill

Fernhill: The City of Sleep with Stones that Speak by David Goss and Harold E. Wright

Fernhill: The City of Sleep with Stones that Speak

“Fernhill: The City of Sleep with Stones that Speak” is a fascinating book co-authored by David Goss and Harold E. Wright. It delves into the history of Fernhill Cemetery, located in Saint John, New Brunswick. This cemetery, which dates back to the 1800s, is not only a resting place for many notable figures from the city’s past but also a site rich with stories that connect the present with the past.

The book offers a detailed exploration of the lives of the people buried at Fernhill, their contributions to the city, and the personal histories that are preserved in the gravestones. It paints a vivid picture of the cemetery as a “City of Sleep,” where the headstones themselves “speak” through their inscriptions, offering silent stories about the people who shaped the area.

The authors use both historical research and narrative storytelling to bring the past to life, inviting readers to reflect on the significance of remembering and honoring those who came before us. The work also includes visual elements, like showcasing some of the unique gravestones and memorials in Fernhill, helping readers feel more connected to the history it represents.

This book is not just about death; it’s about life, community, and the legacies that remain in the stones and the land. It’s an evocative piece for history enthusiasts and anyone interested in the stories cemeteries hold.

“Fernhill: The City of Sleep with Stones that Speak” is available for purchase at the cemetery office.

2025 Walks ‘n Talks with David Goss

Free walk ‘n talk programs originated by David Goss in 1978.  Led by David & others. Tuesdays at 7:15 -exceptions noted. If in doubt about location, contact: gosswalk@nbnet.nb.ca Always check (506) 672- 8601 after 6 P.M. if the weather is wet or unsure of rain plan. Does not apply June 03, 10, 17, as Mr. Goss is unavailable. Walkers do so at their own risk. Walks are about 1.5 hours and are 2 km or less. There are frequent stops for the stories.

  • June 10:  Fernhill, 200 Westmorland Road. Harold E. Wright’s “Death by Alphabet”. Sponsor is Fernhill Cemetery.  Rain date:  next night.
  • July 01:  Canada Day at 11.00 am at Fernhill to honour Fathers of Confederation from Picnic Pavilion.
  • July 01:  Location is Fernhill, 200 Westmorland Road. Spooky Stories collected locally and taken from David Goss’s four Ghost Books. Sponsor is Fernhill Cemetery. Will finish in time for uptown fireworks.
  • July 08:  Location is Fernhill, 200 Westmorland Road led by Bill Gardiner. Theme is the Drury Brothers incidents and adventures of Louise Coxetter & James Domville. Sponsor is Fernhill Cemetery.
  • July 22:  At Fernhill with Katherine Biggs-Craft.  Meeting at the entrance to the Shaarei  Zedek Cemetery, Westmorland Road, opposite Ellerdale Street. The topic will be “In Their Own Words – Memories and Life Lessons”.  Based on interviews Marcia Koven made with the Jewish community as the current museum was developed.  Sponsor is Fernhill Cemetery.
  • August 05:   At Fernhill Cemetery 200 Westmorland Road- Some graveyard folklore with David Goss and others.   Sponsor is Fernhill Cemetery.
  • August 19:  Location Fernhill, 200 Westmorland Road. Steve Fowler and Troy Middleton share Loyalist and Civil War connections. Cemetery walk. Sponsor is Fernhill Cemetery.

Thanks to all the sponsors, we can offer these walks free to participants.

View the full schedule of David Goss 2025 Walks ‘n Talks for all locations.