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.
