Hillside Cemetery
Hillside Cemetery is a peaceful, quiet sanctuary surrounded by trees. The site is made up of 80 acres of land and has been in existence since 1886.
Commemorative items are not allowed on the turf from April 1 to October 31, and are never allowed on columbarium niches, vessels, scattering gardens, trees or benches. This includes stickers, artificial flowers, stuffed articles, etc. Glass items such as vases, solar lights, or jars are not permitted in the cemetery at any time.
A clean turf area allows staff to maintain Hillside Cemetery to the high standards our community has come
to expect. All commemorative items found on the turf during the summer season will be removed and stored
for thirty days. Please contact the cemetery to retrieve these commemorative items. Items placed in approved flowerbeds will not be removed.
Flowerbed regulations are in place to ensure flowerbeds are consistent and meet specifications. If you wish to
install a flowerbed in front of a monument, you must receive permission to do so. Flowerbeds are installed by
cemetery staff and include a hard plastic edging and soil amendments. Mulch must be soft material; no rocks
are permitted. Cemetery staff will not be responsible for upkeep of flowerbeds.
Irrigation replacement project
Irrigation upgrades to replace aging infrastructure at Hillside Cemetery are continuing this year.
The project, which first began in 2020, has been divided into several phases to best accommodate visitors.
Please be mindful of area signs and areas which may be cordoned off. Cemetery staff are available for assistance during office hours. For more information, visit the project page.
History
The original Hillside Cemetery is in Kin Coulee Park. This cemetery is an eight-acre site incorporated by the Church of England in 1892. In 1945, the site was turned over to the City of Medicine Hat and the last interment in the old Hillside Cemetery was in 1947. The cemetery is no longer active and is maintained as a passive green space by the Parks and Recreation department.
St. John's Presbyterian Church in Medicine Hat owned a parcel of land described as SE quarter of Sec. 26, Township 12, Range 6, west of the 4th, comprising approximately 40 acres. In 1908 – 1909 the Presbyterian Church released 20 acres to the City of Medicine Hat for the purpose of establishing Hillside Cemetery. In April 1914, they released to the City the balance of the land which is now completely within the Hillside Cemetery. The new Hillside Cemetery is located at the intersection of Gershaw Drive and 10 Avenue SW.
The first burial, in what is now Hillside Cemetery, was a baby by the name of Cecil Hargrave on November 7, 1886.