Frequently asked questions
Please find below the answers to many frequently asked questions at St. John’s Cemetery.
For further information or clarification about these questions and answers, or any other questions, please contact us by telephone at 902-832-5649 or submit your question at cemetery@stjohnshalifax.ca.
FAQs
- When selecting a cemetery, what should I look for?
- Who can be buried in the cemetery?
- How do I make pre arrangements?
- Why should I pre-arrange my cemetery needs?
- When I purchase a grave lot am I purchasing the property?
- What is a columbarium?
- How much does a burial lot cost?
- Can I sell my burial plot?
- What is a perpetual care fee?
- My spouse or partner wishes to be buried traditionally in a casket while I’ve decided on cremation. What can we do?
- Will the cemetery always look as good as it does today?
- Do you have any burial lots available?
- Do you have any columbarium niches available?
- Our family has a burial lot and several relatives are buried there. Can I be buried in the lot?
- Can we use a casket or urn vault?
- Can we plant a tree, bush, or flowers on our family grave?
- Can I put any grave marker or headstone on my family grave?
- Once a grave marker or headstone is placed on the burial lot, who takes responsibility for it?
- We own a family burial plot and we will not use all of the spaces. Can we return the unused lot(s)?
- Do we have to put cremation remains (ashes) in an urn?
- Can we put anything in the columbarium niche with our loved one’s cremated remains?
1. When selecting a cemetery, what should I look for?
Most importantly, select a cemetery with well-maintained property, and a friendly, compassionate and knowledgeable staff. At St. John’s Cemetery, we take great pride in our grounds and you'll find the qualities you're looking for in every member of our staff. We will be happy to discuss our wide range of affordable options at a time convenient to you.
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2. Who can be buried in the cemetery?
People of all faiths, denominations, creeds, or ethnicities, who have title to a burial conveyance, can be buried in St. John’s Cemetery.
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3. How do I make pre-arrangements?
To make your personalized arrangements, call us at 902-832-5649 or contact us via e-mail at office@stjohnscemetery.ca so that we can set up a convenient time to explain the various options available and take you for a personal tour.
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4. Why should I pre-arrange my cemetery needs?
By pre-arranging your burial, your wishes are made clear. Advance planning is the best way to avoid heavier financial burdens in the future. Decisions are made apart from the emotions and stress of a death. We will assist you and respect your preferences - personal, family, emotional, financial, and spiritual. We will make a full, unhurried, in-depth disclosure of all costs, so you can make prudent and informed choices in an atmosphere free from the grief that accompanies a death.
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5. When I purchase a burial lot am I purchasing the property?
No. When you purchase a burial lot you are actually purchasing the right to bury remains in a burial lot; the legal title to the property remains in the name of the owning parish.
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6. What is a columbarium?
A columbarium is a structure specifically designed and constructed to hold urns containing cremated remains in numerous small compartments or niches. Our columbarium has its niches lining the interior wall of a self-contained building, so they are not exposed to the elements of weather.
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7. How much does a burial lot cost?
Within our cemetery, burial lot prices vary by size and intended use (traditional casket or cremated remains). Please click here to view our current price list.
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8. Can I sell my burial lot?
No. St. John’s Cemetery does not recognize the sale of burial right conveyances between private parties. However, burial right conveyances may be transferred to another person, an heir or assign, by submitting witnessed, written notification to our office. St. John’s Cemetery will purchase back burial right conveyances for vacant burial lots at 80% of the original owner’s purchase price less an administrative fee.
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9. What is a perpetual care fee?
A perpetual care fee is a separate fee levied at the time of the purchase of a burial lot conveyance and is deposited to a perpetual care fund. Income from this perpetual care fund is used to provide regular care and maintenance of our cemetery. Regular care and maintenance activities may include cutting grass, re-grading of graves, planting and caring for trees, maintaining roads, drainage, etc.
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10. My spouse or partner wishes to be buried traditionally in a casket while I’ve decided on cremation. What can we do?
At St. John’s Cemetery you can choose a burial lot that allows for the burial of a traditional casket and a cremation urn together in the one burial lot.
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11. Will the cemetery always look as good as it does today?
Yes. Since 1839, St. John’s Cemetery has taken great pride in its well-maintained cemetery. A perpetual care fee is levied at the time of the purchase of a burial lot or columbarium niche and is deposited in a perpetual care fund for care and maintenance of the property and buildings guaranteeing no further cost to the family. Independent trustees invest the perpetual care fund in accordance with diocesan canonical law.
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12. Do you have any burial lots available?
Yes, we have burial lots available of varying types. Please contact us for further information.
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13. Do you have any columbarium niches available?
Yes, we have niches available. Please contact us for further information.
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14. Our family has a burial lot and several relatives are buried there. Can I be buried in the lot?
There must be available space, which will be determined by our cemetery staff, for the type (traditional or cremation) of burial you want. You also must have right of succession (lawful heir) to the burial rights conveyed to that burial lot. You may be required to show proof of succession or provide a notarized affidavit from all the lawful heirs giving permission for your burial in any available space within the burial lot. Please contact us to discuss a specific case.
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15. Can we use a casket or urn vault?
No, for both space, environmental, and other reasons, we do not permit the use of casket or urn vaults within our cemetery.
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16. Can we plant a tree, bush, or flowers on our family grave?
Trees nad bushes are not permitted. Flowers may be permitted in certain areas and cases. If permitted, their care is your responsibility. Please discuss your wish with our cemetery staff.
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17. Can I put any grave marker on my family grave?
No, there are restrictions with regards to size and style. Most standard markers available commercially will be permitted. In any case, please discuss your wishes with our cemetery staff.
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18. Once a grave marker is placed on the burial lot, who takes responsibility for it?
Grave markers are always the responsibility of the family. Our cemetery staff will make minor adjustments to the seating as shifts occur with weather and time. However, all cleaning and repairs of damage to grave markers are the responsibility of the family and our cemetery will not assume any costs or liability related to grave markers.
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19. We own a family burial plot and we will not use all of the spaces. Can we return the unused lot(s)?
Normally, yes, we will offer a refund for unused burial lot(s) if the lot is not sandwiched between the remains of two family members with a marker spanning the plot. The amount of refund will be based on a percentage of the original price paid for the burial lot less a prescribed administration fee. You may not sell your burial lot conveyance to any individual or entity.
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20. Do we have to put cremation remains (ashes) in an urn?
No. You may use any solid container that will not cause harm to the cemetery ground or columbarium structure or finishes.
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21. Can we put anything in the columbarium niche with our loved one’s cremated remains?
No, we do not permit anything of an unstable nature (i.e. real flowers, fruit, gels, liquids) to be left in the niches as they may cause damage to the wood or finishes. However, you may put just about any memento (trinket, jewelry, picture) that is stable in nature in with your loved one’s cremated remains.
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