About
About Ferndale Woodlawn Cemetery
Located in north Bellingham, Ferndale Woodlawn Cemetery has been serving Whatcom County since 1886. The cemetery encompasses a total area of 38 acres, with 5 acres presently allocated as designated burial spaces.
Cemetery Options
In-Ground Placement
In-ground burials can be for casketed or cremated
Columbarium
A columbarium is a place built specifically to hold cremation urns in small compartments called niches.
Islamic Society of Whatcom County
This is set up through the Society - Islamic Society of Whatcom County
Veterans
Burial site for veterans and their family
Hillside Urn Garden
Office Manager
Shawna L. McKay
August 2025 to current
Shawna McKay serves as the Office Manager at Woodlawn Cemetery and has been a resident of Whatcom County since she was five. She is a graduate of Ferndale High School; she continued her education at Bellingham Technical College and Whatcom Community College. Shawna married her high school sweetheart in 2004, and together they have two children, a collection of twenty-five barnyard animals, and several John Deere antique tractors (Donald McKay’s Collection).
Shawna is actively involved in community service, volunteering with non-profit organizations, local schools, and individuals in need. Her experience includes seven years with Relay for Life, ten years with the Horizon Middle School PTO, and coordinating auctions for the Ferndale FFA Booster.
She and her family remain dedicated to supporting the Whatcom County community. In her leisure time, Shawna enjoys camping, gardening, farming, and spending quality time with family and friends.
Office Manager - Retired
Mary Imhof
Mary Imhof joined in September 1992, working alongside manager Chuck Engels until his retirement in 2000. Barbara Wavada then became manager and continued in the role until her own retirement in 2013, after which Mary took over as office manager and served until 2025. Throughout her 33-year career, Mary built lasting relationships with both groundskeepers and families, cherishing the stories.
Grounds Keepers
Commissioners
Julie A. Hughes
Julie Hughes has served as commissioner at Woodlawn Cemetery for over two decades and has been a resident of Whatcom County for more than 65 years. She is an alumna of Ferndale High School and married in 1978. Julie is the parent of two children and grandparent to six grandchildren, that keep her very busy.
In her personal time, Julie enjoys traveling in her family motor home, as well as pursuing outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and gardening. She values spending quality time with her family.
Amy Bernard
Amy has served as a commissioner to Woodlawn Cemetery since 2021. Amy moved to Whatcom County, specifically Ferndale, in 1991, where she and her husband raised three children—all graduates of Ferndale High School.
Amy works for PeaceHealth, and in her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her kids, grandson, and friends, as well as traveling.
Brandi Tilton
A lifelong Ferndale resident, Brandi Tilton is proud to have her three children and six grandchildren living nearby the county. Brandi has dedicated 26 years to the Ferndale School District and has served as a Cemetery Commissioner for nearly 10 years. She truly cares for and is committed to the community she calls home.