Cumberland Cemetery
This page was last reviewed on March 3, 2023.
Cumberland Cemetery
Cumberland cemetery is a unique place. It is a historic cemetery, established in 1895, and the resting place of generations of Cumberlanders. The landscape is rolling and dry, the ground covered with moss and kinnikinnick.
The cemetery features:
- traditional family ground lots accommodating one full burial and four cremated remains in contemporary sections of the cemetery as well as in historic sections of the cemetery
- a natural burial area with lots accommodating a full burial and a cremation burial; and small lots along the tree line accommodating two cremation burials
- a columbaria niche wall
- single cremation lots
- child lots
- an upright headstone or block marker may be placed on most lots in the cemetery
Planning for future works include
- central interment area with seating and gathering area, scattering garden, and columbaria niche walls
- double cremation lots
- new ground lots in historic sections of the cemetery
Cemetery Maps
Map of the Historic Protestant Section
Map of the Historic Catholic Section
Natural Burial Area
A natural burial area is new in 2018 and has some special features. Burial options include graves for one full burial and a second burial of cremated remains, and smaller graves near the tree lines for two sets of cremated remains. Full burial can take place in casket or shroud made of biodegradable and environmentally sustainable materials. Cremation burials may be placed without a container or in a biodegradable container.
Burials take place sequentially and graves are assigned following the cemetery layout plan once a death has occurred. This allows the landscape to be planted each year as burials take place. Family and friends may participate in a graveside service through a funeral services provider or on their own.
Staying true to the principles of natural burial, memorialization will take place on a common monument of black tusk basalt.
Each spring, landscaping will be planted over recent graves to restore the natural habitat of the surrounding forest. The plantings include Douglas fir, Pacific dogwood, Douglas maple, white pine, huckleberry, flowering red currant, and creeping Oregon grape.
Fees for Interments and Memorial Marker Installation
All fees increase 2% on January 1 each year.
To learn more and to discuss options, please contact the Village Office at info@nullcumberland.ca to discuss your needs. View the Cemetery Management Bylaw for detailed information.
Cemetery Hours
The cemetery is open dawn to dusk.
The vehicle gate is open daily:
- April 1 to October 30: 8 am to 8 pm
- October 31 to March 31: 9 am to 5 pm
Maintenance and Care of Memorial Markers
Mowing and Maintenance
The Village has initiated a new mowing plan for the cemetery. From May to September, grave areas will be trimmed once each month, as needed. Some of the field areas will be left with longer grass which will help build the humus in the soil, and in turn help with water retention. Not mowing in these area will also prevent the destruction of killdeer ground nests in the late spring.
Annual Spring Clean Up
Each April, Village staff tidy up and removes items that detract from the appearance of the cemetery.
If you have any personal items, mementos or artificial flowers on your loved one’s gravesite that need to be refreshed, please consider taking them home in March to be sure they aren’t removed by staff.
Cemetery and Funeral Information Resources
In BC, cemeteries and funeral service providers are regulated by the BC Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act. Consumer Protection BC is the regulatory and licensing authority.
Resources:
Consumer Information on Cemeteries
Consumer Information on Funeral Services
Green Burial Society of Canada
