Appeals

The Living Legacy at BCA

Nothing is more gratifying than communicating about your impact on Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum and our community. Your gifts allow us to create stunning
spaces that serve our families, preserve our historical records, and maintain our lovely grounds. Because of you, Bellefontaine is more than a scenic place; it is a sanctuary
of history, peace, and connection.

Thanks to your support, our historic grounds and documents are being preserved and enhanced. I am happy to share that, to date, we have been able to digitize all our lot
files and have started on our maps. Additionally, we have at least 1,000,000 more documents to scan and catalog to complete the Archive.

Today, I’m excited to share what’s next. Below are a few initiatives that will deepen visitors’ experience of Bellefontaine’s story:

• Benches throughout our trails and gardens, to offer rest, reflection, and moments to pause and absorb nature.
• Interactive QR-code plaques, to connect visitors with the stories behind our monuments, the lives memorialized here, and the horticultural richness that
  surrounds them.
• Preservation of millions of historical documents dating back to the 1800s, to allow access to future generations.

These initiatives aren’t just upgrades. They’re invitations to invest, to slow down, to learn, and to appreciate the living legacy Bellefontaine represents. Would you
consider giving a gift this fall to support our efforts? For specific funding opportunities, please contact Joe Shields at 314-880-8579.

Thank you for all you have done. It means more than you may know. With your continued support, Bellefontaine’s next chapter will be as vibrant as its canopy this fall
and preserve our grounds and history for generations to come!

Sincerely,
Sherry L. Smith
President and CEO | Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum

To simplify your giving, we offer many different options to make your gift.

• Online: Visit our website at www.bellefontainecemetery.org and click on “Giving”.
• Mail: Send a check payable to Friends of Bellefontaine to 4947 West Florissant Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63115.
• In-Person: Drop off your donation at our office during visiting hours.

For tax purposes, we advise you that the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Our Tax ID number is 46-1205201.
As required by the IRS, we hereby state that you have received no goods or services in exchange for this gift. Please retain this letter as proof of donation.

Download Fall 2025 Appeal Letter Here

New Interactive Educational Trails

As the warmth of spring envelops our community, we are reminded of the beauty and  tranquility that nature brings—a serenity profoundly embodied within the grounds of Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. The Cemetery has been a place of reflection, remembrance, and peace for generations, offering countless families and individuals solace.

I am delighted to introduce three new interactive educational trails in the Summer of 2025. The new trails enhance our historic grounds, each thoughtfully designed to enrich the experience of all who visit. These serene pathways wind through new Cemetery sections highlighting these areas for exploration and opportunities for contemplation amidst the blooming landscapes. The trails are meticulously crafted to offer a deeper connection to our Cemetery’s rich tapestry of stories. One of the trails at Public Lot 01 is accessible for our visitors with special mobility needs.

Your support of the Friends of Bellefontaine ensures that we can continue to developand maintain trails, enhance gardens, add to our tree collections, and offer free guided tours. Your generosity helps support things like:

• Preserve the beauty and safety of the trails for all visitors.
• Install informative markers that share the rich history and stories.
• Plant native flora to enrich the natural environment and support local wildlife.

Every contribution, regardless of size, makes a meaningful impact. Please share this initiative with friends and family who may also value preserving our community’s heritage and invite them to visit!

As always, I am deeply grateful for your continued support and dedication to Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum. Together, we can ensure that our Cemetery remains a cherished sanctuary for reflection and remembrance, now and for future generations.

Sincerely,
Sherry L. Smith
President and CEO | Bellefontaine Cemetery and Arboretum

To simplify your giving, we offer many different options to make your gift.

• Online: Visit our website at www.bellefontainecemetery.org and click on “Giving”.
• Mail: Send a check payable to Friends of Bellefontaine to 4947 West Florissant Avenue, St. Louis, MO 63115.
• In-Person: Drop off your donation at our office during visiting hours.

For tax purposes, we advise you that the Friends of Bellefontaine Cemetery is a non-profit 501(c)3 organization. Our Tax ID number is 46-1205201.
As required by the IRS, we hereby state that you have received no goods or services in exchange for this gift. Please retain this letter as proof of donation.

Download Spring 2025 Appeal Letter Here