Cremation guide for families

The following is a step-by-step guide for arranging burial of cremated remains. The process outlined assumes cremation has already occurred and remains are being buried or scattered at one of Kitchener Cemeteries properties.

If cremation services are required, please contact the funeral home or transfer service operator of your choice for immediate assistance. If you have not selected a final resting place, you can contact Kitchener Cemeteries to book an appointment with a cemetery clerk to review available options.

Step-by-step guide

1. Book the burial or interment of cremated remains

Call Kitchener Cemeteries at 519-741-2880 to book.

Your Kitchener Cemeteries clerk will need the following information:

Name of the deceased
Section and lot number
Confirm reservations and position of interment
Your name
Your phone number
Funeral home who was responsible for the arrangements
Location of the urn – If the urn is at the funeral home, we can arrange to have the urn transferred to the cemetery.
Urn dimensions
Who should be invoiced for the interment fee’s, or provide proof of pre-payments (if applicable)
Permission letter (if applicable; required for all scattering interments)

2. Select a date and time for the burial

As per the cemetery bylaw, a minimum of 48 hours of notice is required.

Dates:

Monday – Friday between 9am – 3:30 pm
Saturday – between 9am -3pm

Please note, we will not conduct burials on the following holidays:

New Year’s Eve
Good Friday
Christmas Day

All other holidays are available for burial services, holiday rates apply.

3. Book clergy, funeral director or funeral celebrant (if applicable)

If you require there to be clergy, funeral director or a funeral celebrant present at the graveside to assist with the service, please make these arrangements prior to the day of the burial.

4. Get a copy of Certificate of Cremation

Ensure you have the certificate of cremation for the deceased. You are required to bring this to the gravesite the day of the interment and give it to the cemetery attendant prior to the closing of the grave.

5. Arrive at burial location at the time arranged with cemetery clerk

The grave space will be prepared for the burial prior to your arrival.

6. Time for service and reflection

Staff will provide you with time to have a service and reflection prior to closing the grave.

7. Closing of the grave

Once the service and reflection has concluded, cemetery staff will approach and inform you that they will begin closing the grave.
At this time, family can place or lower the urn into the final resting place, or if preferred cemetery staff will do so.
Families are welcome to witness the closing of the grave, if this is your preference please let the cemetery attendant know at the time you arrive.
Fresh flowers or potted plants may be placed on the grave once it has been closed. These will be removed from the site once they become withered. Breakable decorations, such as glass are not permitted at the gravesite.