Cremation is a process that prepares human remains for final disposition. Through the application of intense heat and flame human remains, and the container they are in, are reduced to skeletal fragments and container ash. Commonly referred to as the ‘ashes’, these skeletal remains are further processed for enclosure into an urn selected or provided by the survivors of the deceased. Following cremation the survivors must make a decision regarding the final disposition of the cremated remains.
CREMATION MEMORIALIZATION
Royal Oak Burial Park offers numerous options to facilitate the final disposition of cremated remains. The information provided here is general in nature. If you would like to discuss any of these services in more detail please do not hesitate to contact the Burial Park office.
SCATTERING CREMATED REMAINS
There are no laws in BC that prohibit scattering but it is prudent to consider the consequences of disposing of cremated remains in this manner. Scattering of cremated remains is permanent and irreversible. Scattering performed outside of a registered, licensed cemetery can deny a family, and it’s future generations, of a permanent memorial site where the life lived can be remembered, honored and celebrated. For that reason the Burial Park created a number of scattering options within the Burial Park that include permanent memorialization.
MEMORIAL WALL – GARDEN OF REMEMBRANCE
Situated near the Garden Chapel in the Garden of Remembrance the Memorial Wall provides for scattering of the cremated remains in the woods above the wall and a bronze memorial plaque with simple inscription is attached to the individual bricks which make up the memorial wall.
BOOK OF REMEMBRANCE
Situated adjacent to the Memorial Rose Garden, the Book of Remembrance provides for scattering of the cremated remains in a secure underground vault at the base of the book and a bronze memorial plaque with inscription is attached to the granite memorial book.
MEMORIAL WOODS
Located at the Columbarium Grove, the Memorial Woods is a unique setting for cremation memorialization. Intended to remain in a natural, forested state a path meanders through a large stand of trees. Depending on the lot selected, lots allow for the memorialization of up to eight (8) persons. Cremated remains memorialized on the path can be scattered beneath the surface of the lot itself, placed into the nearby underground vault or interred into a private niche. There are many products available for this very personal form of memorialization, including Boulder Memorials and Granite Niche Benches.
WOODLANDS NATURAL ZONES
Located in the Woodlands Natural Burial Zones, a unique setting for cremation scattering and memorialization. Intended to be restored to and remain in a natural, forested state Woodlands sites are an environmentally sensitive alternative to other forms of remembrance. Cremated remains are scattered in the common areas of the Woodlands and memorialization is in the form of a simple inscription on one of the community memorial boulders.
View / print the Cremation Scattering Services price list here
BURIAL OF CREMATED REMAINS
There are numerous burial options for cremated remains. These include; burial into an existing family plot where a casket interment has taken place; cremation graves situated in various locations throughout the Burial Park; or a cremation lot in the Cremation Terraces of Section ‘T’ or, the Garden or Grove of Remembrance.
CREMATION URNS
Unless indicated otherwise, there are no minimum urn restrictions for Burial Park cremation burials. The Burial Park office does have a selection of urns available for purchase, either from those on display or from catalogues. Urns can be constructed of wood, stone, ceramic, metal or plastic. They are available in keepsake, individual and companion sizes and can be personalized with memorial plaques, engravings and photographs. Families are permitted to provide cremation urns for burial that are purchased from a source outside of the Burial Park.
CREMATION GARDENS
The Garden and Grove of Remembrance are areas specially designated for the burial of cremated remains. The Garden is located adjacent to the Garden Chapel near the Burial Park entrance and the Grove is located in the older Section ‘I’ of the Burial Park.
Cremated remains interred in the Garden or Grove of Remembrance are placed in a concrete vault. A special tablet with the personalized memorial inscription forms the lid of the vault and is mortared into place at the time of interment. There are three memorial tablet options; Gray Granite, Black Granite or Cast Bronze. Interments in the Garden or Grove cannot be completed until such time as the tablet has been ordered, received and prepared for installation. Tablet delivery usually takes from 4 to 6 weeks, depending on the type of tablet ordered. When this option is selected it is important to note that the size of the urn to be interred is limited to the inside dimensions of the vault.
OTHER CREMATION GRAVES
Individual and companion cremation graves are located in other sections throughout the Burial Park including the newly developed Cremation Terraces in Section ‘T’. Cremation lots of this type allow considerable flexibility for the size and type of marker placed on the grave and also allow for the optional use of protective burial vaults. Lots designed for casket burial may also be purchased and used solely for cremation interment. Because these lots are larger in size they can be used for the interment of up to three (3) persons cremated remains.
INTERMENT INTO EXISTING CASKET PLOTS
Plots already used for a traditional casket interment allow for the burial of up to two (2) other persons cremated remains into the same lot, and additional markers may be placed on the grave for each interment. Persons requesting this type of interment are must provide proof of their relationship to the existing interred deceased and their right to use these ancillary interment privileges.
INTERMENT SERVICES
The interment process includes the opening of the grave, provision and use of required graveside service equipment and dressings, closing of the grave or niche, and grounds personnel and administrative services.
Interments can be scheduled Monday to Friday between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. The Burial Park office must be notified at least 24 hours prior to the interment time. Interment services arriving at the Burial Park later than 3:30 p.m. may be subject to overtime charges. Saturday interments are permitted but an additional fee is charged for this service.
View / print the Cremated Remains Burial Services price list here
THE COLUMBARIUM GROVE
The Columbarium Grove consists of niche structures located outdoors near the Book of Remembrance, Memorial Rose Garden and Memorial Woods. For ease of identification, each columbaria unit is named for a species of tree.
A niche is the recessed compartment in the columbarium that is designed to accept an urn containing cremated human remains. Niches are available in different size configurations:
- Individual for one (1) persons cremated remains;
- Companion allows for the cremated remains of one (1) or (2) persons cremated remains in the same niche, and;
- Family allows for one (1) to a maximum of four (4) persons cremated remains in the same niche.
- Except for size limitations, there are no restrictions on the type of urn that can be placed in the outdoor niches at the Burial Park. Families also have the option of purchasing a small flower vase that can be attached to the niche front.
View / print the Cremation Columbaria price list here
MAUSOLEUM NICHES
Located inside the Royal Oak Mausoleum are two columbarium rooms. The mausoleum is secure, dry and climate controlled, ensuring families have a comfortable, peaceful environment for visiting on a year round basis.
Please refer to Mausoleum Services link for more detailed information.
VISITATION HOURS
The Burial Park and Mausoleum are open every day of the year for visiting. The gates are opened at 8:30 a.m. and are closed and locked at dusk. Visiting hours and flower regulations are posted on the information kiosk immediately inside the Burial Park gates and on other signs located in the Burial Park.
PERPETUAL CARE
Provincial cemetery legislation stipulates that contributions be made to the Care Fund of the cemetery each time a lot is sold, a memorial is installed or certain interment services are provided. The Care Fund portion of a purchase price is invested into a legally protected fund that is established for the long term care of the cemetery. The principal of the fund is protected by law and only the interest income generated by the Care Fund can be used for maintenance of the cemetery, ‘in perpetuity’.
COSTS
The total cost related to the scattering, burial or placement of cremated remains in a niche are different for each option chosen. Burial Park family service staff can help with providing a detailed price break down for specific options.
View / print the Cremation Scattering Services pricelist here
View / print the Cremated Remains Burial Services price list here
View / print the Cremation Columbaria price list here
PRE-ARRANGEMENT
Most Burial Park products and services may be prearranged and prepaid. When products or services are fully prepaid the good or service paid for is guaranteed to be provided in the future at no additional cost. Prearrangement and prepayment ensure that your personal wishes are known and followed by your survivors and that the cost of those wishes are covered and guaranteed.
RULES & REGULATIONS
The use of any lot, all interment services, and the type and installation of memorials must comply with the established rules and regulations of the Burial Park. A summary of these rules and regulations is available at the Burial Park office.
View / print a Rules & Regulations summary here
FAQ’S
Click Cremation FAQ’s for answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about Cremation.