Many families are not familiar with making cemetery arrangements.  Here are some of the most common questions and answers to better inform you.

What makes a Catholic Cemetery special?

A Catholic Cemetery is a ministry of the Catholic Church.  Consecrated by a Bishop, they are sacred places that remind us all of our Lord’s promise of the resurrection.  Within the Greater Toronto Area, all Catholic Cemeteries are owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Toronto.

May non-Catholics be buried in a Catholic Cemetery?

Yes.  We believe that families should remain together even in death.  A spouse, child, parent or relative who is not a Catholic may be buried in a Catholic Cemetery.

Does the Church allow for cremation?

Yes.  Cremation has been an acceptable option for Catholics since 1963.  The cremated remains must be treated with respect.  They should be either interred or entombed.  Scattering of cremated ashes is not permitted.

Can I arrange my burial wishes in advance?

Pre-planning will relieve your family of the emotional burden of making stressful decisions at the time of a death.  By pre-planning you ensure that your wishes will be known and carried out.  Our interest-free payment plans allow a family to work within a budget that they can afford.

What are the visiting hours of the cemetery?

• November to March   8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• March to April   8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
• April to September   8:00 a.m. to 8:20 p.m.
• September to November   8:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.

For the exact day of visiting hour time change, please contact the cemetery office.

What are the guidelines concerning flowers?

All mausoleum funeral arrangements are disposed of each day at 3:00pm.  Ground burial funeral flower arrangements are removed approximately 5 days after the funeral.  Fresh cut or artificial flowers are permitted on the grounds in the vase from April 1 – October 31.  No fresh cut flowers are permitted in the mausoleum.

When is the spring and fall cleanup?

On November 1^st all decorations other than wreaths on wreath stands will be removed and disposed of.  Permanent vases will be turned over in their storage position from November 1^st to March 31^st.  As of April 1^st all decorations other than fresh cut or artificial flowers in a vase will be removed from grave sites. 

When are wreaths permitted?

Wreaths on stands are permitted from November 1 to March 31.

Are your sales counsellors commissioned?

Our sales counsellors are not commissioned; they are here to assist you and will not pressure you into buying anything you do not wish to purchase.

Which Funeral Home do you recommend?

We deal with all Funeral Homes.  Families are advised to visit the funeral homes directly to determine the one that best meets their needs.

Do we have to use a vault?

It is your choice if you would like to use a vault.  However, we recommend using a burial vault as a protective outer container for the casket.  Many families select a burial vault for the peace of mind it brings.

Are candles and lanterns allowed?

Candles and lanterns are not permitted because of fire safety and vandalism reasons. 

If we own interment rights and we move can we sell them?

The cemetery will purchase the interment rights back, less the care and maintenance amount.  No interment rights can be sold for profit.  The interment rights holder can transfer the ownership to another party or family member subject to an administration fee.

What is the care & maintenance fund?

The care and maintenance fund is a trust fund established by the Catholic Cemeteries – Archdiocese of Toronto from funds received from the sale of interment rights, markers, or marker installations for the purpose of providing money for the Care and Maintenance of the cemetery.

Can anyone be buried in our lot?

The interment rights holder of the grave must give permission in writing for any interment and the number of burials permitted will be determined by the type of interment rights.

What happens to the ownership when I die?

The responsibility for ownership will then pass to the trustee(s) of your estate.  In most cases, this is your children.  They will then handle the affairs at the cemetery.  It is a very good idea to have a written Will naming trustees, heirs, etc.