History of the Original Chinese Community Section at Beechwood Cemetery

The Chinese community in Ottawa has long demonstrated a strong sense of unity and collective responsibility. This spirit of solidarity was evident in the establishment of the United Chinese Association in 1914 by Tan Jun and Huang Xianying, who sought to promote the well-being of local Chinese residents and advocate for better immigration policies. As discrimination and restrictive laws—such as the Chinese head tax—continued to hinder the rights of Chinese immigrants, Ottawa’s Chinese leaders played an active role in national movements opposing these policies.

By the early 20th century, Ottawa’s Chinese population, like in other Canadian cities, faced severe social and legal challenges. Many worked in labor-intensive industries such as laundries, small grocery stores, and restaurants, often sending money back to China to support their families. However, restrictive immigration laws made family reunification difficult, leaving many Chinese men in Canada without close relatives. In death, they were at risk of being buried in unmarked or forgotten graves.

To address this concern, members of Ottawa’s Chinese community took collective action. In 1925, William Joe and Marion Hum, along with other early immigrants, purchased forty burial lots at Beechwood Cemetery. Their goal was to ensure that those without family or financial means would receive a proper and dignified burial. This was one of the earliest examples of the Chinese community in Ottawa organizing to secure a permanent and respectful resting place for their members.

By the 1930s, Ottawa’s Chinese population had grown, leading to increased demand for burial spaces. Families such as the Zhou Xiang, Zhou Zaiyan, and Tan families played a key role in establishing the Chinese Benevolent Association, a community support group dedicated to helping the elderly, sick, and poor. This organization later facilitated the purchase of fifty additional plots at Beechwood in 1937, ensuring that the burial needs of the Chinese community were met.

The first dedicated Chinese section at Beechwood was established in Rows 8–11, with burials beginning in 1926. By 1937, the area expanded into what became known as the Chinese Benevolent Society Plot, covering Rows 12–17. A memorial monument was also installed to honour the contributions and sacrifices of those buried there.

Social and Historical Context

The creation of a Chinese burial section at Beechwood was deeply tied to the broader experience of Chinese immigrants in Canada. Many early Chinese residents of Ottawa came from southern China’s Guangdong Province, particularly the Siyi (Four Districts) region, and spoke the Hoyshan dialect. Their migration was driven by economic hardship and political instability in China, as well as opportunities to work abroad. However, once in Canada, they encountered systemic racism, segregation, and laws that severely restricted their rights.

From 1923 to 1947, Canada’s Chinese Immigration Act—often referred to as the Exclusion Act—effectively banned Chinese immigration. This meant that many Chinese men in Ottawa were permanently separated from their families. The community’s burial arrangements at Beechwood became even more significant during this period, as many realized they would not be able to return to China for their final rest.

During the War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression (1937-1945), Ottawa’s Chinese community rallied to support China’s war effort. They raised funds, purchased Chinese government bonds, and even sent some of their members back to China to fight. With international conflict and immigration restrictions preventing many from being repatriated to their homeland, the Beechwood Chinese section took on an even greater symbolic role—it became the final resting place for those who had spent their lives building Ottawa’s Chinatown and contributing to the local economy.

Legacy and Recognition

Today, the Beechwood Chinese section is known as "Fuyin Garden", marked by uniform ground-level headstones and enclosed by a cypress fence. Nearby stands "Huaiyuan Pavilion," a structure dedicated to the memory of Ottawa’s early Chinese pioneers. These landmarks serve as lasting tributes to the resilience, dedication, and community spirit of those who laid the foundation for Ottawa’s Chinese population.

The establishment of the Beechwood Chinese Section was more than just an effort to secure burial plots—it was a reflection of the strength and perseverance of Ottawa’s early Chinese community, who fought against discrimination and exclusion while ensuring that their traditions and dignity were preserved. Today, this section of Beechwood Cemetery remains a historic testament to their struggles, sacrifices, and enduring legacy.

Footnote: This history is based on community records and research from the CHRP Report 110222: A Historical Brief of Chinese Canadians in Ottawa Ontario Canada, which details the development of Ottawa’s Chinese community, its challenges, and the establishment of the Beechwood Chinese section