What are interment rights?

When you purchase interment rights you in fact purchase the right to designate who may be interred or entombed in the space, rather than purchasing the grave /lot/urn space/crypt or niche itself, which remains the property-and the responsibility-of the cemetery. Interment rights include the right to place a memorial. A portion of the purchase price of all interment rights is contributed to an irrevocable fund-Endowment Care fund. Income from this fund is used to provide regular care and maintenance activities in the cemetery. All interment rights are subject to the Cemetery Rules and Regulations, copies of which are available at the cemetery office.

What is the purpose of Endowment Care?

Endowment Care is to ensure that there would be monies available to maintain the cemetery in the future. Regular care and maintenance activities include: cutting grass, re-grading of graves and lots, planting and caring for trees, maintenance of community mausoleum, water supply systems, roads, drainage, etc.

What is an interment right holder?

An interment right holder is the person(s) who own interment rights in a cemetery, mausoleum, or columbarium. The interment rights holder has the right to specify who may be interred or entombed in the grave/lot/urn space/crypt or niche. Written permission from the interment rights holder(s) is required prior to each interment or entombment.

What are my choices in ground interment?

Most common are single graves, and lots composed of two or more graves.

Single Grave

A single grave can, in most cases accommodates two casket interments, one at extra depth and the other at standard depth. The most common form of memorial is a granite or bronze marker set flush with the ground.

Urn Space

Urn spaces are available for those who have chosen cremation, but still prefer the traditional interment of cremated remains. These interment rights will accommodate at least two urns containing cremated remains. The number of inscriptions should be taken into consideration in the design of your memorial. The most common form of memorial is a bronze marker set flush with the ground.

How do I choose the appropriate interment rights?

Because this is a very important purchase, many things must be considered. What kind of memorial do you prefer? How many interments are expected to take place? Is cremation desired? If so, what is to be done with the cremated remains? Do you want the interment rights to accommodate the interment of both cremated remains and caskets? How much do you want to spend on the interment rights and the required services? We strongly recommend all purchasers of interment rights see the site before buying. Please consider the memorial carefully before purchasing interment rights, since not all types will permit all memorials. For example, if you wish a flat marker set flush with the ground, depending on the amount of interment space required, a single grave may be your best choice.

Can I inter cremated remains in a grave?

Yes. Cremated remains may also be interred in a grave. One grave can accommodate two or possibly more cremated remains depending on the cemetery. However, the memorial on the grave or lot is still limited in size. If many inscriptions are desired, you should take that into consideration in the design of your memorial. Even graves which no longer have room for casket interments can accommodate the interment of one or more urns. If space permits on the marker and with the permission of the interment rights holder(s), you may be able to add an additional inscription on an existing marker.

What if I prefer interment, but my spouse prefers cremation?

This need not be a problem. One solution is to purchase a grave which would allow for the interment of a casket or container, as well as an urn containing cremated remains.

What is included in the interment fee?

The interment fee includes administration and permanent record-keeping (determining ownership, obtaining permission and the completion of other documentation which may be required, entering interment particulars in the interment register, maintaining all legal files); opening and closing the grave (locating the grave and laying out the boundaries, excavating and filling the interment space); levelling, tamping, re-grading and sodding of the grave-site; levelling and re-sodding of the grave after the earth settles. Any other supplies/and or services which may be required at the time of an interment would be an additional cost.

Must I put a memorial on my grave?

No. For identification each grave or lot is marked with a permanent number marker.

How soon after an interment may I place a memorial?

This is entirely a matter of choice. The memorial can be ordered as early or as late as you like. Most memorials can also be ordered in advance of need.

May more than one person own the interment rights on the same grave?

Yes. Interment rights can be owned by one person, or by more than one person as joint tenants or as tenants-in-common.

What is the difference between the various types of ownership?

Sole ownership means one individual, the interment rights holder, owns the interment rights. Upon the death of the interment rights holder, his/her estate retains ownership of the interment rights. Any future interments, transfers, inscriptions, etc., would require legal documentation to be filed.

Joint Tenants are two or more individuals owning interment rights. Upon the death of an interment rights holder, the surviving interment rights holder(s) retains the ownership of the interment rights. Upon the death of the last surviving interment rights holder, his/her estate retains ownership of the interment rights. Again, any further activity with these interment rights will require the filing of legal documentation.

Tenants -in- Common are two or more individuals owning interment rights. Upon the death of an interment rights holder, his/her estate retains ownership of the interment rights together with the surviving interment rights holder(s). If all interment rights holders are deceased, the estate of each retains ownership of the interment rights, and any further activity will require legal documentation to be filed. Legal requirements and the Cemeteries Act require written authorization from the interment rights holder(s)(s) for permission and/or direction before any interment rights can be utilized.

Can someone other than the interment rights holder be interred in a grave or lot?

Yes. Anyone may be interred in any grave or lot with the permission of the interment rights holder(s).

May I designate the future use of my interment rights now ?

Certainly. You may make allocation for future use of both interment space and inscription space on an existing memorial. Allocations may be changed or cancelled at any time by the current interment rights holder(s).

May I make necessary arrangements in advance?

Yes. All arrangements may be made in advance. When you plan ahead, you will be able to consider the many options available for commemorating a life. You will have the opportunity to make an informed decision about your funeral and cemetery arrangements, and the form of memorial you prefer. You will be able to make choices that are meaningful to both you and your family, and you will gain peace of mind knowing your family and friends will be relieved of the emotional and financial burden often associated with making arrangements when a death occurs. By pre-arranging your funeral and cemetery services, you benefit by purchasing at today's prices, free from inflationary pressures in the future. Our flexible payment plans enable you to purchase some cemetery services in advance. Whether or not you choose to purchase in advance, we recommend that you discuss your preferences with your family before you finalize them. Not doing so can cause anxiety if your wishes conflict with what your family or survivors feel is appropriate.