Frequently Asked Questions

Pond at York Cemetery

With 200 years of history, there's a lot to know about Mount Pleasant Group! Here are some Frequently Asked Questions to get you started. 

1. How old is Mount Pleasant Group? 

Mount Pleasant Group was established in 1826, which means we mark our 200th anniversary in 2026! Our sites were established as follows:

  • Potter’s Field: 1826 (closed in 1875)
  • Toronto Necropolis: 1850
  • Mount Pleasant Cemetery: 1876
  • Prospect Cemetery: 1890
  • Pine Hills Cemetery: 1928
  • York Cemetery: 1948
  • Beechwood Cemetery: 1965
  • Elgin Mills Cemetery: 1979
  • Meadowvale Cemetery: 1981
  • Thornton Cemetery: 1984
  • Duffin Meadows Cemetery: 1993
  • The Simple Alternative Toronto: 1994
  • The Simple Alternative Mississauga: 1996
  • The Simple Alternative Pickering: 2001
2. What is Toronto's largest cemetery? 

Mount Pleasant Cemetery is the largest, spanning 205 acres. It runs from Yonge Street to Bayview Avenue, just north of St. Clair Avenue.

3. How did Mount Pleasant Group begin and what was its original purpose? 

MPG’s story began in the early 1800s, when Toronto was known as the Town of York. Back then, only Anglicans and Roman Catholics could be buried in 'authorized' cemeteries. In 1826, we opened our first cemetery, Potter’s Field, to offer all families a dignified place to lay loved ones to rest, regardless of faith.

4. How many people are buried in your cemeteries? 

Based on data from the end of 2024, we have approximately 738,685 interments at our sites. That includes: 

  • Potter's Field of Muddy York: 6,685
  • Toronto Necropolis: 66,000
  • Mount Pleasant: 213,000
  • Prospect: 172,000
  • Pine Hills: 119,000
  • York: 63,000
  • Beechwood: 32,000
  • Elgin Mills: 24,000
  • Meadowvale: 23,000
  • Thornton: 13,000
  • Duffin Meadows: 7,000
5. Based on your history, there must be a lot of notable figures buried in your cemeteries? 

Our cemeteries are the resting place of many notable Canadians, including former Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King, Canada’s first female surgeon Jennie Smillie-Robinson, renowned CBC broadcaster Barbara Frum, Métis artist Youngfox, former NDP leader Jack Layton, speed skating icon Percy Johnson, renowned pianist Glenn Gould and Tim Horton. You can explore all of the notable figures buried at our sites using the Notable Figure search on our Find a Grave tool.  

 

About the installations

1. Is there a cost to visit the installations? 

No! Visiting the installations is absolutely free. You can spend as much time as you would like with them. Please note that from April 1 to October 31, cemetery gates will be open daily from 8AM-8PM and from November 1 to March 31, they are open 8AM to 5:30PM.  

2. Will they be there all year? 

Installations will be installed at various points throughout 2026 and will remain there for the entire year and potentially longer. Keep checking our website for more details.