Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries

It’s a history rich in tradition – the longest continuously run company in the GTA.

In fact, Mount Pleasant Group of Cemeteries (MPGC) was established on January 30, 1826 (eight years before the incorporation of York as the city of Toronto in 1834) by a group of local businessmen of a wealthy, retired merchant of Scottish ancestry.

The group recognized the need for a non-sectarian burial ground. At that time, the Anglican and Roman Catholic Churches operated the only two cemeteries in the rapidly expanding town of “Muddy York”, and both were closed to many new immigrants of neither faiths. In those days, “rapidly expanding” meant a population of about 2,000.

Many family cemeteries existed, but it was apparent that they would soon disappear. The lack of cemetery facilities was also a problem because of rampant diseases such as cholera, small pox, scarlet fever and tuberculosis.

On October 3, the MPGC marked its 175^th anniversary by releasing 175 white doves. Being one of the highlights in the ceremony, the releasing makes a splendid sight and also has multi-meanings. It celebrates the long history of 175 years of MPGC, and also represents bringing peace to the world.

“We’re proud of our contributions to the community over the past 175 years,” said MRGC President Norris Zucchet. “MPGC was originally created for those whose religions and financial situations would not allow them to be buried in the cemeteries of the day. In keeping with this tradition, our organization continues today as a non-profit company, embracing all religions as we strive to meet the changing multicultural needs of GTA residents.”

Representing an integral part of Toronto’s history, MPGC cemeteries are the final resting place for many influential people, including Prime Ministers William Lyon Mackenzie King and Sir Oliver Mowat. As a further tribute, Mount Pleasant Cemetery was designated a National Historic Site by Sheila Copps, Minister of Canadian Heritage, in April of this year.

With an eye to the future, the anniversary also marked the launch of one of Ontario’s largest Heritage Seed Gardens at the Mount Pleasant Cemetery, an initiative to preserve endangered plant forms for use by future generations. It’s also home of Ontario’s first Cremation Gardens (opened Sept. 27, 1998). MPGC introduced the first Visitation, Chapel and Reception Centres in the GTA and now has three VCRCs each at Pine Hill Cemetery, York Cemetery and Elgin Mills Cemetery. MPGC continues to provide special in-cemetery features that addresses the religious, cultural and traditional expectation of its many customers, such as Chinese, Italian, Greek, Portuguese, Vietnamese and Korean communities.

The Elgin Mills Cemetery, Visitation Chapel and Reception Centre that was opened in October 2000 Facilities include product selection rooms, many unique audio-visual features and a “Tree of Life Memorial Wall” for families to remember their loved ones. There is also a special section at the cemetery that has been blessed by Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Toronto, His Eminence Archbishop Sotirios. Elgin Mills boasts a large, natural setting in a convenient location just north of Toronto off Highway 404. Its mausoleum is an outdoor structure containing number of crypts, which allow for inscriptions on the granite crypt fronts.

During the recent years, more and more Canadians in the Greek community become more open to preplanning and less superstitious. The behaviour of preplanning has increased, as this community now understand the benefits of preplanning will give your family and friends peace of mind, minimize financial concern, decision will be made by yourself and the guarantee of cancellation privileges; thus preplanning has become a new common practice among the Greek community.