About Us
A Landscape of Love & Legacy
Discover what makes Oak Lawn such a special place of remembrance.
Welcome to Oak Lawn Cemetery & Arboretum, a sprawling 100 acres of beauty and serenity. Since 1865, we've served the community and provided professionalism and comfort to help families with the decisions involved in choosing burial options and a final resting place for their loved ones.
We have a wide range of burial options to suit your personal needs from indoor to outdoor, in-ground and above-ground, all in the magnificent setting of a one-of-a-kind arboretum. Above all, we try to bring peace of mind during difficult times. Our staff is highly experienced and can help you every step of the way.
Our Staff
Oak Lawn Cemetery and Arboretum is managed by a caring, knowledgeable, and friendly staff.
Margaret M. Clarke
Executive Director
Frank Norris
Grounds' Manager
Maggie Cooksey
Office Manager
Rob Hannigan
Special Projects
Anthony Dmuchowski
Groundsman
Giovanni Perez
Groundsman
Board of Directors
Our board of directors provide professional guidance, management support, and a vision for the future.
Bronson K. Hawley
Chairman of the Board
Kathleen Maxham
Vice Chairman
S. Giles Payne, Esq.
Vice President
Elizabeth Browne Miller
Secretary / Treasurer
Notable Interred
Oak Lawn is the final resting place of many noteworthy figures, including well-known names from Connecticut history, as well national and cultural significance. Learn about the fascinated people buried here.
A Brief History
Oak Lawn Cemetery stands as both a historic landmark, arboretum, and a reflection of Fairfield’s evolving community values. Founded in 1865, it grew from a modest cow pasture into a carefully planned landscape shaped by visionary leaders and devoted families. Over the decades, its governance, design, and care mirrored broader cultural shifts — from Victorian optimism to modern expectations of beauty and order. Today, Oak Lawn remains not only a resting place for thousands but also a living testament to resilience, memory, and civic pride.
1864
Authority Granted
The Connecticut General Assembly authorized the Oak Lawn Association to purchase 12 acres that Captain Jonathan Godfrey had located near Bronson Road for $1,200, laying the legal foundation for the cemetery.
1866
First Burials
Sixteen individuals were interred during Oak Lawn’s first year, and 46 the follower year. Most of these persons were individuals whose remains had been removed from other locations, including West Burying Ground and Greenfield Burying Ground, in downtown Fairfield. Of the first 62 burials, only 10 were first-time burials.
1874
Perpetual Care Introduced
The Board voted to maintain lots regularly and offered perpetual care agreements for one dollar, ensuring long-term upkeep and uniformity across the grounds. Today, perpetual care is included for all of our families.
1907
Beautification
Mabel Osgood Wright and her sister, Agnes H. Wright, pushed for a more open, park-like cemetery design, sparking debates about aesthetics and governance that reshaped Oak Lawn’s landscape. After her father's death, Mabel had an enormous boulder deposited near his monument with the words “God is Our Rock” carved into it.
1921
Superintendent Transition
Arthur Mills replaced Andrew Sherwood as superintendent, signaling a shift toward modernization, though his tenure revealed deeper issues of overgrowth and neglect.
1927
Women Join the Board
During the presidency of local farmer, William O. Burr, influential women, including Annie B. Jennings, Virginia B. Perry, Mrs. Helen W. Glover, and Mrs. Isabel Perry were elected to the Board. The four female directors brought new perspectives, and helped to improve the cemetery’s appearance.
1970
Professional Management Established
The Board voted to hire a full-time manager in 1970, recognizing the growing complexity of operations and ushering in a new era of professional oversight.
2004
Modernization
In 2003, the Board of Directors began what would turn out to be a two decade long period in which many changes were made to Oak Lawn, including the Community Mausoleum, The Knoll, refurbishing the Memorial Building, and the garage. Today, Oak Lawn is fully integrated as a valued member of the Fairfield Community, and makes donations to many local non-profit organizations.
FAQs
If you don't see the answer to your question here, please call or email us. We'd be happy to provide clarity or point you in the right direction.
When you buy a grave, crypt or niche you haven’t actually bought a piece of property. You’ve bought the right to be buried in a particular space, whether a full-body grave, mausoleum crypt, or a niche for cremated remains.
If the deceased is the original owner (or current heir), anyone can sign. If the deceased is a non-owner (or not a current heir), all existing owners (or current heirs) must sign. If the deceased is a spouse of the original owner, anyone can sign. If the deceased is listed in a Designation Affidavit, anyone can sign.