Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ

Q. Why should I preplan?

By making arrangements in advance, families can avoid confusion at the time of bereavement and assure themselves of cremation arrangements they desire, and at a price they wish to pay. Contact us today to speak to an experienced and knowledgeable Family Service Counselor about your options. (link to the planner page)

Q. Who is Catholic Cemeteries?

Catholic Cemeteries is a non-profit organization founded in faith and dedicated to providing education, support and resources during life’s most difficult moments. We exert every effort to enable individuals to achieve their final wishes, and empower families to make thoroughly informed decisions.

Q. What is an undertaking?

An "undertaking" is a written undertaking from a person accepted by the director under section 56 (2) (b). As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What are bereavement rites and ceremonies?

"Bereavement rites and ceremonies" are services for a deceased individual, whether or not the services are associated with the interment or cremation of the individual; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a care fund?

A "care fund" is a fund for the care and maintenance of a place of interment. As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a cemetery?

A "cemetery" is land that is set apart or used as a place of burial of human remains or cremated remains and includes any incidental or ancillary buildings on the land. As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What are cemetery services?

"Cemetery services" are the operation of a place of interment or crematorium and the disposition of human remains by interment or cremation and includes the supply of goods incidental to and as a part of interment or cremation, but does not include the sale of rights of interment; * As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law)

Q. What is a certificate of public interest?

A "certificate of public interest" is a certificate issued under this Act designating land as land in respect of which rights of interment may be granted; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a columbarium?

"Columbarium" is a structure or building or an area in a structure or building that contains, as an integral part of the structure or building or as free standing sections, niches for the inurnment of cremated remains; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a compliance order?

A "compliance order" means an order issued by an inspector under section 56 (2) (c); As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What are cremated remains?

"Cremated remains" are human bone fragments left after human remains are cremated; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a crematorium?

A "crematorium" is a building or a part of a building used for the purpose of cremating human remains and includes appliances and other equipment incidental or ancillary to that purpose; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a director?

A "director" is someone who directs under the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is disinterment?

"Disinterment" is the removal, for the purpose of permanent relocation, of (a) human remains, and (b) the container, or any of the remaining container, holding the human remains, from the lot in which the human remains are interred; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is an embalmer?

An "embalmer" is an individual who, prior to the disposition of human remains, engages in the disinfection, preservation, preparation or restoration of the human remains; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is exhumation?

"Exhumation" is the exposure and removal of interred human remains for the purposes of viewing or examination; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a funeral contract?

A "funeral contract" is a contract that provides for funeral services for (a) an infant who is stillborn, or (b) a person who is deceased at the time the contract is entered into; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. Who is a funeral director?

A "funeral director" is an individual who, in the course of business, does any of the following: (a) negotiates or enters into funeral contracts; (b) arranges, conducts or directs bereavement rites and ceremonies; (c) arranges for the interment or cremation of human remains; (d) transfers human remains or directs or supervises the transfer of human remains; (e) cares for or prepares human remains prior to disposition, other than the disinfecting, preservation or restoration of human remains; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. Who is a funeral provider?

A "funeral provider" is a person who carries on the business of providing funeral services; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canadaem>

Q. What are funeral services?

"Funeral services" are: (a) arrangements and services related to the interment or cremation of human remains, (b) care and preparation of human remains for purposes related to paragraph (a), (c) bereavement rites and ceremonies, and (d) the supply of goods incidental to and as part of the arrangements, services, care, preparation and bereavement rites and ceremonies referred to in paragraphs (a) to (c), but does not include the sale of rights of interment or the disposition of human remains by interment or cremation; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What are human remains?

"Human remains" are classified as: (a) a dead human body in any stage of decomposition, or (b) a body of a stillborn infant in any stage of decomposition, but does not include cremated remains; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is interment?

"Interment" is disposition by (a) burial of human remains or cremated remains, (b) entombment of human remains, or (c) inurnment of cremated remains; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is an interment right holder?

An "interment right holder" is a person who owns a right of interment; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a licence?

A "licence" is a licence issued under section 55 (2); As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a lot?

A "lot" is a space that is (a) in a place of interment, and (b) used or intended to be used for the interment of human remains or cremated remains under a right of interment and includes a grave, crypt, niche or plot; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a mausoleum?

A "mausoleum" is a structure or building that contains: (a) interior or exterior crypts designed for the entombment of human remains, or (b) both interior or exterior crypts designed for the entombment of human remains and niches for the inurnment of cremated remains; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a memorial?

A "memorial" is: (a) a tombstone, monument, plaque or other marker on a grave or plot, or (b) an inscription or ornamentation on a crypt or niche front, used to identify a lot or memorialize a deceased person or stillborn child; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a memorial dealer?

A "memorial dealer" is a person who: (a) offers for sale or sells memorials to the public, or (b) makes memorials that are offered for sale or sold to the public, but does not provide funeral services or cemetery services; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is an operator?

An "operator" is a person or a board of trustees that owns or operates a place of interment or a crematorium; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a place of interment?

A "place of interment" is a cemetery, mausoleum or columbarium; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is a pre-need cemetery or funeral services contract?

A "pre-need cemetery or funeral services contract" is a contract that provides for cemetery or funeral services for one or more persons who are alive at the time the contract is entered into; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What does it mean to register?

To "register" means to register under the Land Title Act; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is right of interment?

"Right of interment" is a right, in perpetuity, for the interment of human remains or cremated remains, in a lot; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. Who is classified as a spouse?

A "spouse" is a person who: (a) is married to another person, or (b) [Repealed 2011-25-320.] (c) has lived with another person in a marriage-like relationship for a period of at least 2 years immediately before the other person’s death; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. What is the definition of a stillborn infant?

A "stillborn infant" is a product of conception that underwent a stillbirth, as defined in the Vital Statistics Act; As Sourced from the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act (BC Law) http://www.bclaws.ca/EPLibraries/ October, 2013. Copyright (c) Queen’s Printer, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada

Q. Do you offer transportation for visiting?

Currently we do not offer regular transportation to the Gardens of Gethsemani, however we do suggest contacting your parish priest to assist you with your request. Often if a ride is required a volunteer in your parish can assist you or a group of individuals that wish to travel to the cemetery with a ride.

Q. How do I pay for my Burial arrangements?

There are a variety of payment options and terms designed to give you the flexibility to remain within your personal budget. Cash, check, MasterCard, and Visa, are honored for your convenience. Terms may be arranged with a down payment made at the time of a pre-need purchase, followed by monthly payments (subject to change) At the time of death, the burial arrangements must be paid in full. Special terms are available for persons in need.

Q. Is perpetual care included in the purchase price?

The Gardens of Gethsemani has established a Care Fund. The Care Fund is a Trust Fund which will provide funding in perpetuity for the maintenance of the cemetery. At the time of purchase of a plot, crypt or niche 25% of the purchase price is allocated to the Care Fund to ensure that the cemetery will be maintained in perpetuity.

Q. Can a Catholic donate his/her body or organs?

Some families choose to donate their bodies or parts of bodies for medical research or to various types of "organ banks". This is an appropriate action but should be arranged for in advance. Upon eventual disposition of the body or its parts an appropriate burial should take place in keeping with the traditions of the Catholic Church.

Q. What if I have a miscarriage, do you bury the fetus?

All life is sacred and the remains of fetuses and stillborns of Catholic parents should be given a reverent Christian burial. A no-cost burial service is available for fetuses and stillbirths up to one year. Memorialization is available on our Memorial Wall of Rachel Mourn's statue.

Q. What types of monuments or markers are allowed at the Catholic Cemeteries?

Certain areas are designated for flat bronze or granite markers. Other areas are for upright granite markers only. Monuments and Markers can be purchased through the Gardens of Gethsemani as part of your burial arrangements.

Q. Who is responsible for the Priest’s stipend?

The Priest’s stipend is the responsibility of the family and can be arranged directly with your parish or through the funeral home of your choice.

Q. May we use your chapel for our Funeral Mass?

The Evangelist Chapel at the Gardens of Gethsemani is available for funeral masses at no cost. It currently seats up to 300 people and is ideally suited to small family funerals. Catholics wishing to use the chapel for a funeral mass must make the necessary arrangements with their Parish Priest.

Q. Why are there different prices for Crypts and Niches?

In order to provide this type of resting place, we have found it necessary to maximize the use of the available space. This is done by tiering the units. Crypts and Niches which are at "eye" or "praying" level are preferred to higher locations.

Q. How many cremated remains are allowed in a full size burial plot?

The Gardens of Gethsemani, recently permitted Family Plots for the inurnment of cremated remains. Families wishing to purchase one of these plots should plan on the remains of no more than four individuals being buried in a Family Plot. Existing in ground plots containing the full body remains of an individual may become a Family Plot. In this case, the cremated remains of three individuals may be inurned. Larger Family plots may be assembled by combining regular family plots. The number of cremated remains permitted will be equal to the number of regular family plots times four cremated remains.

Q. Does the Church allow for Cremation?

Yes, in 1963 the Catholic Church eliminated its prohibition against cremation. Although cremation represents a means of disposition preferred by many, it is not the 'final disposition' - burial is. Human cremated remains are still the body of the deceased - just in a different form. Thus, cremated remains should be treated with the same respect as the 'full' body is treated prior to cremation. Honouring and respecting the deceased by keeping their remains safe, undisturbed, and memorialized in a cemetery is a time-honoured tradition.

Q. Do I require a grave liner?

The Gardens of Gethsemani has mandated the use of grave liners for all in ground burials. Grave liners protect the casket or urn as well as maintaining a level burial site for the future.

Q. Why are there different prices for in ground plots?

The demand for some sites is greater than for others and we have chosen to price based on the amenities offered. These amenities may include the types & sizes of markers allowed and the proximity to certain features such as trees, water, gardens or our own Chapel.

Q. Are your Advisor's commissioned?

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

Q. Are there advantages to buying burial space before my family actually needs it?

Yes! By making arrangements in advance, Catholic families can secure peace of mind and avoid emotional overspending. Additionally, offers flexible interest-free payment plans that assist you in ensuring your wishes are met. Contact us today to speak to an experienced and knowledgeable Family Service Advisor about your options.

Q. Who can be buried in a Catholic Cemetery?

Catholic cemeteries have a long tradition of dedicated service to the Catholic Community including non Catholic spouses, children, parents and other relatives. Christians with a connection to the Catholic community may also be buried in the Catholic Cemeteries, but Catholic Traditions must be adhered to in our Cemeteries.

Q. Why should Catholics be buried in a Catholic Cemetery?

A Catholic Cemetery is a ministry of the Catholic Church. It's only natural that those who share the same faith in life will wish to carry on that sense of community in death. When it comes to the issue of death, the sensibilities and needs of Catholics are unique and call for certain practices in the handling and care of the remains of the deceased. Therefore, in the blessed grounds consecrated by a Bishop, of a Catholic cemetery there are safeguards-mandated by the Church's Canon Law - which guarantee permanence, reverence and respect for the remains of the deceased. They are also owned and operated by the Archdiocese of Vancouver.

Q. Cemetery Rules & Regulations

April to October - No artificial flowers on graves Flower containers are provided April to October. Please do not put large potted baskets or plants on graves. The cemetery is not responsible for stolen or broken plants. November to March - Artificial flowers or wreaths may be used. Ornamentation, candles and lights are NOT PERMITTED on graves.

Q. What are the guidelines for Christian Burial?

What does death mean in Christian context? What does Church law say about funerals? To read more about guidelines for funerals and burials in the Catholic Church, download our Guide for Christian Burial. 

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