| Who governs the Municipal Cemeteries? |
| The Municipal Cemeteries, operated by the City of Kawartha Lakes, are governed by the Cemetery By-Laws, provincial legislation and licensed by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO). Not all cemeteries in the City of Kawartha Lakes are operated by the municipality. View a complete listing of Municipal Cemeteries by visiting the information found at the top of the page. |
| How do I make arrangement for a burial service? |
| Contact the Cemetery Administration Office by calling 705-324-9411 extension 3508 to learn more. |
| Do the Municipal Cemeteries have scattering gardens? |
| At this time, none of the municipally operated cemeteries have the option to scatter cremains. There are private cemeteries within the Kawartha Lakes that offer this option. |
| What is the Care and Maintenance Fund? |
| The Care and Maintenance Fund is a mandatory trust fund created by provincial legislation to ensure upkeep in cemeteries. This is a one-time fee paid at the time of purchase of interment rights or the installation of a monument. Income from this Fund is used to maintain, secure and preserve the cemetery grounds. |
| Can I bring my pet when I visit the cemetery? |
| Pets are not permitted with the exception of documented service animals. Please leave your pets, including dogs, at home when visiting the cemetery. |
| The decorations I left at the grave are gone. Why were they removed? |
| Items may be removed if they are intruding on another plot, deemed unsafe, or are interfering with cemetery maintenance. Broken or unsightly decorations will be removed. Staff is obligated to provide a safe and visually pleasing environment for all who visit the property. |
| Can I have potted plants at the grave? |
| Yes, you can have potted plants but they must be placed directly in front of the headstone, in non-breakable containers and be removed prior to the winter season. |
| Why was my flowerbed removed? |
- Flowerbeds are not permitted on cremation lots, on lots that do not have a permanent memorial or at the foot of a grave.
- After consultation with the Cemetery Administrator, flowerbeds may only be installed in front of a monument, may not exceed the width of the monument or extend more than 15" into the grave.
- Poorly maintained flowerbeds may be removed without notice.
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| Can I plant shrubs or bushes around the grave? |
| Shrubs and bushes may not be planted. Bushes and shrubs impact maintenance and make it difficult for staff to accurately locate sites for burial. |
| Are borders or edging permitted around my flowerbed or grave? |
| To ensure maintenance is not hindered, borders or edging around flowerbeds and graves are not permitted. |
| Can articles or plants be placed behind or beside the monument? |
| Articles and plants cannot be placed behind or beside the monument. Flowerbeds are allowed but they must be in front of the monument. The flowerbed may not exceed the width of the monument or extend more than 15" into the grave. |
| Can I put flowers or other articles on a cremation grave? |
| Cremation graves are memorialized with a flat marker so that they can be easily maintained. Flat markers are meant to facilitate ease of mowing and decorations of any sort are not allowed. Flowerbeds or other decorative items are not permitted on cremation lots. |
| Can I put a flowerbed or other decorations on a grave that doesn't have a monument? |
| Flowerbeds are only permitted in front of a monument. If there is no monument, flowerbeds or any other decorations are not permitted. |
| Can I put flowers or other decorations by a foot marker? |
| Foot markers are flush with the ground of easy maintenance. Placing items or flowers near the foot marker impacts maintenance and these items will be removed. |
| Can I put a homemade cross on a grave instead of a monument? |
| A homemade cross does not meet the guidelines outlined in the By-laws. All memorialization must follow the guidelines in the By-laws in order to maintain the dignity and decorum of the cemetery. |
| Can I install my own monument? |
| A monument may only be installed by a qualified monument dealer, who is familiar with the By-laws and is approved by the Cemetery Administration Office. This ensures correct installation and appropriate health and safety practices for the public and the staff. |
| Can I display candles on the grave? |
| For safety reasons, candles are not permitted in the cemetery. |
| Can I put solar lights on the grave? |
| No, solar lights tend to break down over time with the pieces becoming litter in the cemetery. In order to preserve the dignity and decorum of the cemetery please do not install solar lights. |
