The Hamilton East Cemetery shows an early influence of John Loudon (1943 - 1843) in the symmetrical layout and use of evergreen trees. Developments from later in the 19th century show an influence of the more relaxed and natural American cemeteries with an introduction of deciduous trees, flowers and a less formal layout.

More recently the 'Lawn Cemetery' section was developed and the Returned Servicemen's area, influenced by the War Graves tradition - both typical additions to Park Cemeteries.

History of Hamilton East Cemetery

The Rural Park Cemetery movement, of the early 19th Century, offered a place beyond the city limits that allowed family burial plots, interspersed with trees, shrubs, and flowers in a woodland or landscape garden. These Park Cemeteries were significant in the development of the first public parks, with a movement away from the rigid, structured traditional cemeteries, with their formal plots and lots of iron railings and masonry. There were parallel Cemetery movements throughout Europe, as the belief burgeoned that providing natural park settings would improve social behaviour and morals. The Victorians especially supported this view, and also developed a floral code and symbolism of plants relating to death. Trees such as cypress, yew, willow and laurel were associated with sorrow and loss.