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.
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.
People of all faiths, denominations, creeds, or ethnicities, who are the registered owner of burial rights to a plot or a person who has the expressed permission of the burial rights owner, can be buried in St. John’s Cemetery.
To make your personalized arrangements, call us at 902-832-5649 or contact us via e-mail at cemetery@stjohnshalifax.ca so that we can set up a convenient time to explain the various options available and take you for a personal tour.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 a notarized notification of such to our office. St. John’s Cemetery also may purchase back burial right conveyances for vacant burial lots at a percentage of the original owner’s purchase price plus an administrative 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 trust fund. Income from this perpetual care trust 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.
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.
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 trust fund for care and maintenance of the property and buildings guaranteeing no further regular maintenance costs to the family. Independent trustees invest the perpetual care trust fund in accordance with diocesan canonical law.
Yes, we have burial lots available of varying types. Please contact us for further information.
Yes, we have niches available. Please contact us for further information.
There must be available space, which will be determined by our cemetery staff, for the type (casket or cremation) of burial you are seeking. The person seeking such a burial also must be a lawful heir or assign to the burial rights conveyee of that burial lot. The person seeking such a burial will be required to show proof of succession in the form of a legal instrument and may be required to provide a notarized affidavit from all the lawful heirs and assigns giving permission for such a burial in any available space within the burial lot. Please contact us to discuss a specific case.
No, for space, environmental, and other reasons, we do not permit the use of casket or urn vaults within our cemetery.
Trees and bushes are not permitted to be planted other than those planted by the owning Parish. Flowers may be permitted in certain areas and cases. If permitted, their care is your responsibility. Please discuss your wish with our cemetery staff.
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.
Grave markers are always the responsibility of the burial rights owner or their heirs or assigns. Our cemetery staff will make minor adjustments to the seating as shifts occur with weather and time. However, all cleaning, straightening, and repairs of damage to grave markers are the responsibility of the family and our cemetery does not and will not assume any costs or liability related to grave markers regardless of the cause.
Normally, yes, we may 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 rights conveyance to any individual or entity.
No. You may use any container that will not cause harm to the cemetery ground or columbarium structure and finishes.
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 and 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.
When selecting a cemetery, it is important to look for one with well-maintained property and a friendly, compassionate, and knowledgeable staff. At St. John’s Cemetery, we take pride in our grounds and have a staff that possesses these qualities. We are more than happy to discuss our affordable options with you and provide a personal tour.
People of all faiths, denominations, creeds, or ethnicities who are the registered owner of burial rights to a plot, or have the expressed permission of the burial rights owner, can be buried in St. John’s Cemetery.
To make pre-arrangements, you can call us at 902-832-5649 or contact us via email at cemetery@stjohnshalifax.ca. We will schedule a convenient time to explain the various options available and take you for a personal tour.
Pre-arranging your burial allows you to clearly communicate your wishes. It also helps avoid financial burdens in the future and allows decisions to be made without the emotions and stress that accompany a death. At St. John’s Cemetery, we respect your preferences and provide a full disclosure of all costs, allowing you to make informed choices.
No, when you purchase a burial lot, you are purchasing the right to bury remains in that lot. The legal title to the property remains in the name of the owning parish.
A columbarium is a structure specifically designed to hold urns containing cremated remains. Our columbarium has niches lining the interior walls of a self-contained building, providing protection from the elements.
The cost of burial lots within our cemetery varies based on size and intended use (traditional casket or cremated remains). You can view our current price list on our website or contact us for more information.
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, such as an heir or assign, by submitting a notarized notification to our office. We may also repurchase burial right conveyances for vacant lots at a percentage of the original purchase price plus an administrative fee.
A perpetual care fee is a separate fee levied at the time of purchasing a burial lot. It is deposited into a perpetual care trust fund, which is used for the regular care and maintenance of our cemetery. This includes activities such as cutting grass, re-grading graves, maintaining trees, and maintaining roads and drainage.
At St. John’s Cemetery, we offer burial lots that allow for the burial of a traditional casket and a cremation urn together in the same plot.
Yes, St. John’s Cemetery has maintained its well-kept appearance since 1839. A perpetual care fee is collected at the time of purchasing a burial lot or columbarium niche, which is deposited into a trust fund for the ongoing care and maintenance of the property. Independent trustees invest the funds according to diocesan canonical law.
Yes, we have burial lots available in various types. Please contact us for more information.
Yes, we have niches available in our columbarium. Please contact us for more information.
The availability of space for additional burials in a family burial lot will be determined by our cemetery staff. The person seeking burial must be a lawful heir or assign to the burial rights conveyee of the lot. Proof of succession and permission from all lawful heirs and assigns may be required. Please contact us to discuss your specific case.
No, we do not permit the use of casket or urn vaults within our cemetery due to space, environmental, and other reasons.
There are restrictions on the size and style of grave markers. Most standard markers available commercially will be permitted, but it is recommended to discuss your specific wishes with our cemetery staff.
Grave markers are always the responsibility of the burial rights owner or their heirs or assigns. Our cemetery staff may make minor adjustments to the seating of the marker due to weather and time. However, cleaning, straightening, and repairs to the marker are the responsibility of the family. Our cemetery does not assume any costs or liability related to grave markers.
In most cases, we may offer a refund for unused burial lots if the lot is not surrounded by family members with a marker spanning the plot. The refund amount will be a percentage of the original purchase price, minus an administration fee. It is important to note that burial right conveyances cannot be sold to individuals or entities.
No, you are not required to use an urn for cremation remains. You may use any container that will not cause harm to the cemetery ground or columbarium structure.
We do not permit anything of an unstable nature, such as real flowers, fruit, gels, or liquids, to be left in the niches as they may cause damage. However, you may place stable mementos, such as trinkets, jewelry, or pictures, with your loved one’s cremated remains.