People prefer a ‘view’ for final resting place; advisory board seeks columbarium for Sophiasburgh

Glenwood Chair Sandra Latchford with manager Helma Oonk at the new columbarium. in Picton in 2012. – Peggy deWitt photo

With the rise in choices for cremations, Sandra Latchford, Chair of the PEC Cemetery Advisory Committee, is seeking council support to install a columbarium at Sophiasburgh.

Latchford, in a deputation to council’s Committee of the Whole Thursday, said 75 per cent of burials now involve cremated remains as people are turning to cremation and scattering of ashes over traditional full-casket burials and burials in-ground of cremation remains.

“Therefore, we need more options for cremated remains,” she said, noting the the Funeral, Burials, Cremations Services Act requires that columbariums must be filed and approved by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario, and installed, before interment rights can be sold.

Glenwood Cemetery in Picton has three columbariums, and Latchford noted a trend in choice for people to purchase the top levels first, looking for “the penthouse suite”, before the bottom shelves. She also noted sales are often from people who were born, or grew up here, and though they live elsewhere, want to be buried here.

“We noticed the pattern. People like to know where they’re going and want a good view.” She also noted the cemetery’s new green burial sites are half sold since opening last fall and these often more affordable and greener options. The first green burial sale was from an Ottawa resident.

Cost estimates for a 48-unit columbarium, cement foundation, a crane to set it in place, landscaping and administration to file paperwork is estimated at $28,000.

At an average niche price of $1,700, revenue is estimated to be $81,600, less 15 per cent that must, by legislation, go into a care and maintenance trust fund. Each compartment, or niche, can hold two urns and small personal mementos may also be placed inside. Inscriptions may be made on the black granite-fronted niches.

With approval, Latchford would also like to see a plan to include future columbariums at the Sophiasburgh site.