Burial and grounds services

• Opening and closing of graves/niches and crypts with set-up for graveside services.
• Regular grounds maintenance including the removal of existing private shrubs and repair of sunken areas.
• Installation of new flowerbeds (as permitted – must have an upright monument).
• Installation of flat markers.
• Installation of concrete foundations (for upright monuments).
• Ordering and installation of bronze plaques (where applicable).
• Special affiliation with Bereaved Families of Ontario.
• A tent provided for burials held at Williamsburg Cemetery (for casket burials only, not available during winter months).

Cremation is the process of heat (approximately 1800 degrees Fahrenheit) and by evaporation, the body is reduced to fragments of bones in two to three hours. For cremation the casket is placed in the cremation chamber free of handles and other exterior fittings. Caskets must be made of wood or other combustible material. Regulations require all deceased be received in a rigid container that ensures protection to health and safety of the crematorium operator and provides a proper covering for the deceased

When this part of the process is complete, crematorium staff carefully remove all recoverable cremated remains from the chamber. Any remaining metal particles are extracted with the assistance of a magnet or by hand. The fragments of human bones are then mechanically reduced into minute particles and placed in a sturdy container which is identified with the name of the deceased, the date of cremation and the name of the crematorium.

Cremation in Canada requires the completion of an application for cremation, by the executor or next-of-kin. In addition, a burial permit and coroner’s certificate are required. Please contact your funeral  service operator of choice to obtain the correct documentation. A licensed funeral home or a licensed transfer service must be used to place the deceased in a casket/container, register the death and transport the deceased to the crematorium.

Please note, a licensed funeral home or a licensed transfer service must be used to place the deceased in a casket and transport the deceased to the crematorium.

Cremation is not the final step. It is the family's responsibility to obtain a final resting place for these human remains.

Families who have purchased a resting place that permits an upright monument. Once the monument is in place on the concrete foundation you can request cemetery staff to prepare the flowerbed at no charge. Cemetery staff will cut the grass out the width and 15” out from your monument and will add soil. Families can then plant flowers in the space that has been prepared or you can purchase gardening services from the cemetery. Requests can be made using the flowerbed service request form.

Please note, flowers with thorns such as roses or flowers that are intrusive such as “forget me nots” are not permitted. Also, shrubs are not permitted to be planted in flowerbeds. Private shrubs (miniature variety) can be planted beside upright monuments in approved cemetery sections. Please contact the cemetery office to see if your section is approved for private shrubs.