Spotlight: Fairmount Cemetery and Funeral Home, Denver, CO

By Kendra Briggs, President/CEO

Fairmount Cemetery was established in 1890 by a group of local businessmen who shared a vision of creating a dignified, permanent resting place to serve the community for generations. Today, the cemetery spans 280 acres, offering a serene and thoughtfully maintained space for reflection and remembrance. In 2023, Fairmount Cemetery was designated as a Certified Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation’s network of habitats, recognizing its commitment to environmental stewardship and the preservation of natural ecosystems within the grounds. Fairmount also features a monument shop, four chapels, a community mausoleum housing more than 100,000 decedents, and an extensive stained-glass collection. Three of its historic structures have been designated State Historic Landmarks.

In 1965, family members of this same founding group, along with additional shareholders, established Fairmount Funeral Home to provide families with more comprehensive end-of-life services. As the cemetery and funeral home grew alongside the community, Fairmount Cemetery transitioned to nonprofit status in 1980, reinforcing its mission-driven focus on long-term care and preservation.

A significant milestone came in 2015, when regulatory approval allowed a nonprofit cemetery to own a for-profit funeral home. Following this approval, Fairmount Cemetery purchased the remaining shareholder interests in Fairmount Funeral Home. While the funeral home continues to operate as a for-profit entity, both organizations are owned and guided by the nonprofit cemetery, ensuring unified leadership and mission-driven oversight. Fairmount Funeral Home also includes Fairmount Family Pet Loss, a dedicated pet loss center, as well as Quebec Place at Fairmount, an on-site event center that serves families and the community. Fairmount is not owned or operated by any single individual or corporation; rather, it is overseen by a board of directors who are not eligible to receive profits, reinforcing its nonprofit governance structure.

Importantly, the profits generated by the funeral home are reinvested directly into the cemetery to support perpetual care, preservation, and ongoing maintenance of the grounds. This structure strengthens Fairmount’s long-term financial sustainability and helps safeguard the beauty, dignity, and historic legacy of the cemetery for future generations, reflecting a responsible stewardship model that maximizes resources in service of our community.

Why am I passionate about Fairmount?
Knowing that the work we do directly benefits the cemetery, supporting its care, preservation, and history, rather than enriching an individual owner or corporation, is what makes Fairmount truly meaningful to me.

What Makes Us Unique
Fairmount operates under a One Family, One Staff model, assigning a single staff member to support families through both mortuary and cemetery services as well as aftercare. This integrated approach improves operational efficiency, strengthens customer relationships, and ensures a consistent, high-quality experience. By delivering continuity of service and building long-term trust, Fairmount positions itself for sustained growth and increased competitiveness within the industry.

Our Team
I’m grateful to work alongside a dedicated team that genuinely cares about the families we serve. Each member takes pride in their work and provides thoughtful, respectful care. Many of our staff have been part of Fairmount for decades, and that experience is reflected in the trust, compassion, and consistency our families receive.

Community Engagement
We are fortunate to have an amazing group of volunteers, the Fairmount Heritage Foundation, who help bring Fairmount’s history to life. They lead a variety of tours throughout the year, sharing stories that connect our community to the rich heritage of the cemetery. Our grounds manager also organizes a summer car show, which has attracted over 600 cars through the cemetery, creating a fun and memorable event for the community. We are currently working on additional events to offer even more ways for the community to connect with Fairmount.

To be featured in an upcoming Funeral Home and Cemetery Management Spotlight, email Membership or call 800-323-4219. Click here to see our Cemetery Spotlight archives.