Registrar’s Directive: Cemeteries to continue interments as late into the season as safely possible

Effective immediately – All cemeteries in Ontario are directed to conduct interments as late into the season as is possible – as long as ground conditions remain safe to do so.

This means staff and equipment must continue to be available to inter, including ground burials and crypts in a mausoleum. There is no need to change your cemetery bylaws. This directive does not apply to the interment of cremated remains.

This directive is ordered by the Registrar of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002. Cemeteries are an Essential Workplace.

As usual, cemeteries must ensure they have the permission of the Interment Rights Holder for the deceased.

Note: This is not a recommendation. It is a directive. These are extraordinary times and require extraordinary measures.

Again, I ask our funeral establishments to share this directive with their local cemeteries, as not all cemeteries will receive this directive.

Thank you.  

-Carey Smith, CEO/Registrar