Interments

Full Burial Lots

Please contact the Cemetery Office (519.442.3822) to make an appointment to discuss lot purchases. Staff can meet family members at the cemetery to view the lot location prior to purchasing interment rights for the lot. Family members are welcomed at the Cemetery Office in Paris to complete the sales contract.

Lots for full burials are available at all active cemeteries except Burford Congregational Cemetery where interments are only performed. Lots are about 4' by 10' in size but dimensions vary slightly for each cemetery. One full burial and three cremations are permitted within a single lot. The interment rights holder otherwise known as the lot purchaser should designate what family members will be interred in the lot when purchasing the lot. Existing lot owners should contact the Cemetery Office to update this information in our records.

Cremation Lots

Cremation lots are available at the Paris Cemetery and Burford Pioneer Cemetery and are 2' x 3' in size. Up to two people can be interred in a cremation lot, but some lots allow only one interment. Check with cemetery staff to confirm.

Columbarium - Paris Cemetery

A columbarium is an above ground permanent structure containing several niches or spaces for the placement of cremated human remains.

Niches are 12" by 12" by 12" are available for purchase at the Paris Cemetery.

Two appropriately sized urns may be placed in one niche. Wood or cardboard containers are not allowed in niches.

[insert cemeteries9.jpg]

Memorialization is engraved into the 12" by 12" granite face of the niche.

Fees and charges for these services are included in the municipal fees and charges schedule.

Interment rights

Interment rights are the rights to place human remains or cremated remains in a grave, crypt or niche. It is important to remember that cemeteries do not sell the land that is a lot or plot. They sell rights to be buried in a lot or plot.

"Interment rights holder" means the person who holds the interment rights with respect to a lot whether the person is the purchaser of the rights, the person named in the certificate of interment or such other person to whom the interment rights have been assigned: ("titulaire de droits d'inhumation").

Who has the legal authority to decide?

One of the first things to determine after someone dies is who has the authority to decide what will happen to the deceased person's body.  Here is a list, in order, of who may act as legal representative to make decisions:

1. Estate trustee, also called an executor or executrix, who is named in the deceased person's will (or an administrator appointed by the court)
2. Spouse
3. Adult children

If you are the legal representative, the county may ask you to provide photo identification and proof of your authority, such as a will or court order, before making arrangements. Please contact the Cemetery Office before finalizing funeral services to ensure all necessary documents are provided prior to interment.

Source information: Ontario Ministry of Consumer Services

Helpful Links

• Ministry of Government and Consumer Services - Cemeteries and Funerals: Your Rights
• Ministry of Government and Consumer Services - Guide to Funerals, Burials and Cremation Services
• Ontario Government - Wills and Estates Law/ Power of Attorney