[2] More than 46,000 individuals are interred within the grounds, and it is the final resting place of many prominent Canadians, including the burial site of Canada's first prime minister, John A.

[4][5][6] The cemetery charter was created during a special act of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Canada on August 10, 1850.

[8] The gravesite of John A. Macdonald and family plot were recognized as a National Historic Site of Canada on May 19, 1938.

[5] Cataraqui Cemetery is the final resting place for many notable persons including politicians, businessmen, humanitarians, and authors.

[10] Queen's University owns a section that is reserved for interring the remains of those who dedicate their bodies to education and research.