Riverside Cemetery

Located in the 1300 to 1400 block of South Clinton Street, Riverside Cemetery is the city's largest cemetery. The City of Defiance Division of Parks and Recreation is responsible for maintenance of cemetery grounds. For winterization purposes, the water has been turned off effective October 23, 2020, and will be turned on in the Spring.

Riverside Memorial Mausoleum

The Riverside Memorial Mausoleum, south of the entrance drive, was started in July 1926 and dedicated October 16th, 1927 in Riverside Cemetery by a citizens' group. Its cost was approximately $150,000. Of reinforced monolithic concrete construction, exterior faced with stone and interior decorated with marble, the mausoleum is notable both for its permanence and for its beauty. Proceeds from the sale of crypts created a perpetual care fund sufficient for the future maintenance of the building. This is administered by the trustees of the non-profit Defiance Mausoleum Association.

Riverside Chapel

"The Cemetery Chapel was built in 1888, by John Demann and W. S. and A. G. McClary with assistance from Architect Jonathan I. Hale. This Gothic Revival structure consists of a slate gabled roof and a true Gothic ceiling done by expert craftsmen. The exterior walls are built of limestone with handsome beltcoursings of portage red stone. The chapel room is 22 feet by 34 feet with an additional bay for the lowering apparatus used to lower bodies into the vault. The massive doors and window frames are handsomely done in natural pine. The floor is Georgian marble carried on segmental brick arches between steel beams. The interior walls are stucco, delicately tinted from terra cotta to a light blue. There is a handsome mantel and open grate of glass tile from Europe."­­- Defiance Public Library

This is probably one of the best examples of Gothic Revival style in this area. The original cost of the building was $8,500.

The chapel is the property of the City of Defiance. The interior of the Chapel is cared for by the Fort Defiance Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution. The chapel is currently used for small weddings, funerals, and/or committal services. If interested, please contact Helen Frey of the Fort Defiance DAR at 419-784-3257.

Riverside Cemetery Rates

Burial Services

Internment

• Disinternment $1,000 plus charges by vault company, if any
• Infant Disinternment $500 plus charges by vault company, if any
• Ashes Disinternment $300 plus charges by vault company, if any

The rates established by this section are increased $50 for burial services performed incident to interment ceremonies conducted after 2 pm on weekdays and after 11 o'clock a.m. on Saturdays.

Contiguous Grave Lots

All lots sold on a pre-need basis, must be paid in full upon purchase. Burial services and lots sold on an as-needed basis, will need to be paid in full prior to service or paid through the attending funeral home.

No headstone or monument shall be erected other than on a properly sized foundation constructed under the guidance of Cemetery personnel. No foundation shall be installed on any lot until all charges for the purchase of the lot and performance of burial services rendered thereon are fully paid.