Show All Answers

1. What steps do I take when a death has occurred?

When a death occurs, the person(s) with legal “control of disposition” will need to make arrangements through a Funeral Chapel or Crematorium. Funeral Chapels and Crematoriums are the ones that generate the death certificate, and the death certificate is one of the documents the Cemetery Clerk will ask to see. After visiting the Funeral Chapel or Crematorium, the person(s) with legal “control of disposition” will call the Cemetery Clerk to make an appointment. Questions the Cemetery Clerk ask the person(s) with legal “control of disposition” to provide the deceased person’s last known address, date of birth, place of birth (City), date of death, place of death (City), which funeral chapel or crematorium was used, what the urn is made of (if it is a cremation), and the executor(s) information. A right of interment (this may already exist), and an interment permit will need to be completed and fees paid in full prior to interment.

2. What is “Control of Disposition” and who has it?

Control of Disposition means the right of a person to control the disposition of human remains or cremated remains in accordance with Part 3, Section 5 of the: Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act.

3. When is the Cemetery Caretaker on duty at the cemetery?

Our cemetery caretaker is on duty Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

4. Is there a limit to how long someone can be interred in a plot or niche?

Interment are held in perpetuity. There is no limit to how long someone can be interred for.

5. What is the “Perpetual Care Fund”?

A portion of the price paid for the Right of Interment goes towards a maintenance care trust fund or Perpetual Care Fund. Income from the care fund is used to provide regular care and maintenance at the cemetery in perpetuity. Regular care and maintenance activities can include: cutting grass, regrading of graves, planting and care for trees and gardens, maintenance of water supply systems, road, drainage, etc. The minimum amount to be contributed to the endowment care fund is governed by provincial law.

6. What guarantee do I have that Perpetual Care will take care of the cemetery?

Perpetual Care Funds in BC are protected by law and are very conservatively managed. Income from the fund can only be spent on care and maintenance of the cemetery. The principal of a cemetery’s Care Fund is protected by provincial cemetery legislation.

7. Will the cemetery ever be used for something else?

In order to protect Interment Right Holders, strict provincial rules govern the use of cemetery lands. Graves are normally considered to be sold in perpetuity which restricts possible redevelopment.

8. Can I purchase a plot or niche and put in on reserve?

Adult full burial plots, in-ground Cremation plots, and single or double niches may be purchased ‘pre-need’ and place on reserve if you are a resident who are 65+ or have lived in Coquitlam for 20+ consecutive years, or have family members interred in the cemetery. 

9. What happens if I bought a plot or niche but don’t want it anymore?

A right of interment can be surrendered back to the City only. It cannot be sold privately. If less than 30 days have passed since the date of original issue, the full amount of the original fees paid will be returned by the City. If more than 30 days have passed, a refund equal to the current purchase price less 10% for above-ground niches for cremated remains, and 25% for in-ground burials, will be issued by the Administrator to the Right of Interment Right Holder as per bylaw 9.8 Robinson Memorial Cemetery Bylaw No.5000, 2021(PDF).

• there are not interment in the designated lot;
• the original Right of Interment document is surrendered;
• the administration fee is paid; and
• any fee associated with the removal of any memorial that is on, or around the surrendered lot is paid. 

10. Can I pay cemetery fees in advance or in installments?

They cannot be paid in advance or by installments (payment plan).

11. I have full burial plot but my spouse wants to be cremated. Can we share the same plot?

Yes. In the event that cremated remains are placed in a full burial grave in advance of a casket to be interred in the same grave, the cremated remains will be removed by the Caretaker at the time of the full burial and reinterred on top of the casket at no cost during the casket interment. 

12. How many cremated remains are permitted on a full burial lot?

Each full burial plot can accommodate one casket or two caskets (double depth graves) and a maximum of four urn vaults and 8 sets of cremated remains.

13. What type of service can I have for cremated remains?

The graveside service is a matter of family preference and can be treated the same as a casket interment. For cremated remains families have the option of placing the cremated remains themselves or having the Cemetery caretaker assist. 

14. How do I order a marker memorial?

A marker permit is required, which you purchase from the cemetery, you then send the permit to a monument dealer of your choice and start the design of the memorial.

15. How do I know if the marker memorial I’ve ordered has been installed?

Unless the marker is installed at the time of interment, our Cemetery Clerk will contact the family after the marker is installed.

16. What are the regulations around artificial flowers, adornments or landscaping on a cemetery plot?

Artificial flowers may only be place in a Cemetery between November 1 and April 29. Cut flowers, wreaths and floral offerings place on graves will be removed by the Cemetery Caretaker when their condition is considered to be detrimental to the beauty of the Cemetery. No person will adorn or define a grave with a fence, hedge, railing, curbing or landscaping. Only authorized employees of the City can plan, remove, cut down, or destroy any trees, shrubs, plants, flowers, bulbs or rocks in the Cemetery. On the day of an interment and for a period of seven (7) days following an interment, any type of floral tribute is permitted.  As per bylaw 14; Robinson Memorial Cemetery Bylaw No.5000, 2021 (PDF).