Cemetery Regulations
The municipal Cemeteries By-law details cemetery rules for the grounds, graves, and activities. The goal is to preserve the dignity of the cemetery and maintain a high standard for the public.
A new Cemeteries By-law 2025-156 was passed by City Council on November 3, 2025. The by-law will become effective once approved by the Registrar, Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act (Bereavement Authority of Ontario).
By-law amendments include:
- Creation of a natural burial section in New Greenwood Cemetery;
- A reduction of interment capacity for full graves from six cremations each to four cremations each;
- Restriction of tree species planted by families to cedar trees;
- Regulations regarding traditional Indigenous grave markers (“spirit houses”); and
- Grammatical edits.