Choosing a final resting place for a loved one can be challenging. Planning for this decision ahead of time can be helpful, but many may not know where to start. Below are tips to help choose a cemetery for a loved one or yourself and we also review the cost of a cemetery plot and the associated costs around burials and interments.
We have also included at the bottom of this page, tables with common burial plot costs by province and by city.
What to consider when choosing a cemetery
When choosing a cemetery, there are primarily four considerations:
- Cemetery type
- Location
- Rules and regulations
- Cost of plot or niche and associated fees
Cemetery type
One of the first considerations when choosing a cemetery is ensuring it offers the desired burial and interment options. Many cemeteries provide burial and interment plots for caskets and urns, but some have limited options. Therefore, if choosing a cemetery before someone dies, it is essential to know the final disposition option they will choose and pick a plot accordingly.
For example, a columbarium is a structure that stores and displays urns in designated spots called niches. Many cemeteries have a mixture of columbariums, mausoleums, burial plots, etc., so it may be possible to change an initial choice down the line (e.g., changing from interment in a niche to burial in the ground).
Columbariums can be stand-alone structures, so urn interment may be all that is offered. It is essential to consider this, especially if the final disposition choice is uncertain.
Cemeteries also differ in type and association or ownership. Common cemetery types include:
- Public cemetery. This is a for-profit cemetery that is privately or corporately owned.
- Municipal cemetery. This is a non-profit cemetery owned by a city or municipality. It is often cheaper than public cemeteries but tends to be in higher demand or full.
- Religious cemetery. This is a non-profit cemetery owned by a religious organization.
- Veteran cemetery. This is a government-owned cemetery for burying or interring veterans and their families.
- Green cemetery. A green cemetery is a space reserved for green burials (burial practices that aim to reduce environmental impacts).
Some cemeteries have specific requirements that allow for burial or interment. For example, green burial practices do not use embalming fluids or toxic chemicals, so someone who has been embalmed is not eligible for a green burial. However, the cemetery type selected is predominantly determined by preference or budget.
Location of the cemetery
Location is often a top concern for people, both in terms of site location and the location within the cemetery.
A location should be chosen based on an individual’s wishes. For example, many want to be buried close to their home so family and friends can easily visit. For those who have moved to a different province, city, country, etc., this may mean that they want to be buried or interred within their current city or moved to their hometown.
The location is also dependent on availability. For example, a cemetery in a heavily populated city may not have space to accommodate a loved one. Similarly, if space is limited, the cost to purchase a plot will likely be more expensive. Therefore, people may opt to bury or inter in a cemetery in a nearby or smaller city instead.
Space availability may also be dependent on the type of final disposition. For example, green burial sites are fairly limited in Canada, and there may not be a location nearby. So if an individual is set on having a green burial, they may need to be buried further away from friends and family.
Individuals also need to consider where they want to be within a cemetery. Cemeteries offer locations inside or outside, on the ground, in a columbarium or mausoleum, at eye level, closer to the ground, etc. Some sites have gardens or courtyards that surround the plots. Others may be accessible by car or require walking. Some families want to be buried or interred in the same plot or nearby other family members. The options may be limited by availability and budget, but cemeteries will do their best to accommodate personal wishes.
Rules and regulations
Cemeteries must adhere to municipal or provincial by-laws and regulations, but some may also have their own requirements. For example, some cemeteries do not allow families to add personal decorations to the plot or headstone. Others may have a character limit for engraving or a size limit for a grave marker.
In Canada, ashes can be scattered on public land. However, if a cemetery is privately owned, the owners are not obligated to allow for ashes to be scattered on the property, or they may limit scattering to a designated area. Likewise, families may be charged an additional fee to do so.
Most rules and requirements can be found on the cemetery’s website, but cemetery workers and funeral providers will also be able to answer questions people may have. Additionally, provincial or municipal by-laws can be found on government or provincial funeral association websites (e.g., Bereavement Authority of Ontario).
Cemetery costs including what a plot costs
Price is often an important deciding factor for many people. Cemetery fees can vary significantly across Canada.
A cemetery in a prominent city like Toronto may charge over $4,000 for interment in a columbarium. Meanwhile, it may cost around $2,000 in a smaller city like Regina, Saskatchewan. However, smaller towns are not always cheaper. The demand may be higher or require more resources to be buried or interred, increasing the price.
Choice of body disposition (burial vs cremation) will also impact the price. For example, burial plots can cost anywhere from $200 to over $3,000. Niches are often cheaper but can also cost over $3,000, depending on location and style. In contrast, scattering rights or permission (some cemeteries have ash scattering gardens, for example) can be as low as $300.
Niche or plot purchase is not the only line item in cemetery fees. For example, the cost for the burial or interment service (e.g., scattering or burial rights, the closing of the grave, grave marker, etc.) and maintenance fees are also worked into the price. In addition, there may be other purchases like flowers, lights, customized headstones, decorations, engraving, etc.
Many cemeteries offer payment plans that allow fees to be paid over a period of time. However, making arrangements beforehand provides some wiggle room for payment and can cut the overall cost.
Cemetery plot cost examples in Canada
The best way to determine pricing is to contact cemeteries and ask for a price list. However, below are pricing examples from cemeteries in five cities across the country. We include example costs for burial plots and cemetery niches.
Hamilton, Ontario
Hamilton Municipal Cemeteries
Below is a sample cost for a burial or interment in one of these cemeteries. It is based on this price list.
Burial
- Plot
- Single grave in a row – $1140.00
- Interment fees
- Standard depth – $1,120
- Monument and Markers
- Temporary markers – $109
- On-site inscription (10 letters) – $300 minimum; Additional letters – $7.25/letter
- Vault and outer containers
- Outer container (concrete, not sealed) – Intermediate – $855
- Cemetery set-up
- Graveside services tent (10ft X 10ft and 4 chairs) – $260
Total: $3784 (not including HST).
Columbarium niche
- Plot
- – Monument Columbarium (engraved plaque) – $2,33
- Interment fees
- – Columbarium niche – $381
- – Niche plaque installation – $155
- Cemetery set-up
- – Graveside services tent (10ft X 10ft and 4 chairs) – $260
Total: $3,126 (not including HST)
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Brookside Cemetery
The pricing example for Winnipeg Brookside Cemetery is based on this price list.
Burial
- Plot
- Flat marker lot – $2,170
- Interment fees
- Single depth – $1,205
- Vault and liner fees
- Whitex No. 2 Concrete liner – $2,240 (PST applied also)
- Monument foundation fees
- Cement slab (single) – $428
- Monument/marker fees
- Flat marker – 20” x 10” only – $233
- Miscellaneous fees
- Photos, seasonal wreaths, tree removal, etc. – $14+
Total: $6290 (not including GST and PST)
Columbarium niche
- Niche
- Majestic or Majestic II (gold, ground level) – $4,160
- Interment fees
- Single depth – $515
- Monument foundation fees
- Cement slab (single) – $428
- Monument/marker fees
- Flat marker – 20” x 10” only – $233
- Miscellaneous fees
- Photos, seasonal wreaths, tree removal, etc. – $14+
Total: $5350 and up (not including GST and PST)
Montreal, Quebec
Notre Dame Des Neiges Cemetery
The pricing example is based on the estimated price list on the Ever Loved website.
Burial
- Plot
- Single plot – $500 – $10,000
- Plot opening and closing
- $500 – $2,500
- Outer burial container
- $500 – $5,000
- Grave marker
- $500 – $4,000
- Grave marker installation
- $50 – $1,000
- Tent for service
- $150 – $500
- Endowment
- $100 – $900
- Administration fees
- Up to $250
Total: $2,300 and up (not including GST + QST)
Columbarium niche
- Niche
- $1,000 – $3,000
- Niche opening and closing
- $300 – $1,000
- Endowment
- $100 – $900
- Administration fees
- N/A
Total: $1,400 and up (not including GST + QST)
St. John’s, Nfld
Belvedere Roman Catholic Cemetery
The pricing example is based on the estimated price list on the Ever Loved website.
Burial
- Plot
- Single plot – $500 – $10,000
- Plot opening and closing
- $500 – $2,500
- Outer burial container
- $500 – $5,000
- Grave marker
- – $500 – $4,000
- Grave marker installation
- $50 – $1,000
- Tent for service
- $150 – $500
- Endowment
- $100 – $900
- Administration fees
- Up to $250
Total: $2,300 and up (not including HST)
Cremation plot
- Plot
- $600 – $3,000
- Plot opening and closing
- $300 – $1,500
- Endowment
- $100 – $900
- Cremation vault
- $100 – $200
- Grave marker
- $500 – $4,000
- Grave marker installation
- $50 – $1,000
- Administration fees
- N/A
- Tent for service
- $150 – $500
Total: $1,800 and up (not including HST)
Charlottetown
Historial Roman Catholic Cemetery
The price estimate is based on the estimated price list on the Ever Loved website.
Burial
- Plot
- Single plot – $500 – $10,000
- Plot opening and closing
- $500 – $2,500
- Outer burial container
- $500 – $5,000
- Grave marker
- $500 – $4,000
- Grave marker installation
- $50 – $1,000
- Tent for service
- $150 – $500
- Endowment
- $100 – $900
- Administration fees
- Up to $250
Total: $2,300 and up (not including HST)
Cremation – Scattering ashes
- Scattering garden use
- $200 – $1,000
- Endowment
- $100 – $900
- Administration fees
- N/A
Total: $300 and up (not including HST)
Burial Plot Costs by Canadian Province
Here’s a table covering burial plot costs for all Canadian provinces and territories, broken down by urban, suburban, and rural areas:
| Province/Territory | Urban (CAD) | Suburban (CAD) | Rural (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alberta | $3,000 – $8,000 | $2,500 – $5,500 | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| British Columbia | $5,000 – $12,000 | $3,500 – $7,500 | $2,000 – $5,000 |
| Manitoba | $2,500 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $4,500 | $1,200 – $3,000 |
| New Brunswick | $2,000 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $4,000 | $1,000 – $2,500 |
| Newfoundland & Labrador | $2,500 – $5,000 | $2,000 – $4,000 | $1,000 – $2,200 |
| Nova Scotia | $3,000 – $6,000 | $2,200 – $4,500 | $1,500 – $2,800 |
| Ontario | $4,500 – $10,000 | $3,500 – $7,000 | $2,000 – $4,500 |
| Prince Edward Island | $2,000 – $4,500 | $1,800 – $3,500 | $1,000 – $2,000 |
| Quebec | $3,500 – $7,500 | $2,800 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| Saskatchewan | $2,000 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $4,000 | $1,200 – $2,500 |
| Northwest Territories | $3,500 – $6,500 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $1,800 – $3,000 |
| Yukon | $3,000 – $5,500 | $2,500 – $4,500 | $1,500 – $3,000 |
| Nunavut | $3,500 – $7,000 | $2,800 – $5,000 | $2,000 – $3,500 |
Burial Plot Costs for 20 Canadian Cities
Here’s a table showing estimated burial plot costs for 20 major Canadian cities, with typical price ranges based on urban, suburban, and rural areas:
| City | Urban (CAD) | Suburban (CAD) | Rural (CAD) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Toronto, ON | $6,000 – $12,000 | $4,500 – $8,500 | $3,000 – $5,500 |
| Vancouver, BC | $7,000 – $15,000 | $5,000 – $9,500 | $3,500 – $6,500 |
| Montreal, QC | $5,500 – $11,000 | $4,000 – $8,000 | $2,800 – $5,500 |
| Calgary, AB | $4,500 – $10,000 | $3,500 – $7,000 | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| Edmonton, AB | $4,000 – $9,000 | $3,200 – $6,500 | $2,200 – $4,000 |
| Ottawa, ON | $5,000 – $10,500 | $4,000 – $7,500 | $2,800 – $5,000 |
| Winnipeg, MB | $3,000 – $7,000 | $2,500 – $5,500 | $1,800 – $4,000 |
| Quebec City, QC | $4,500 – $9,000 | $3,500 – $7,000 | $2,500 – $5,000 |
| Hamilton, ON | $5,000 – $10,000 | $4,000 – $7,500 | $2,500 – $4,500 |
| Halifax, NS | $4,000 – $8,500 | $3,000 – $6,500 | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| London, ON | $3,500 – $8,000 | $2,800 – $5,500 | $2,000 – $3,500 |
| Victoria, BC | $5,500 – $11,500 | $4,500 – $8,500 | $3,000 – $5,500 |
| Saskatoon, SK | $3,000 – $7,000 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| Regina, SK | $3,000 – $6,500 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $1,500 – $3,500 |
| St. John’s, NL | $3,500 – $7,500 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Windsor, ON | $3,500 – $7,500 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $2,000 – $4,000 |
| Kitchener, ON | $4,000 – $8,500 | $3,200 – $6,500 | $2,200 – $4,500 |
| Gatineau, QC | $4,000 – $8,500 | $3,200 – $6,500 | $2,200 – $4,500 |
| Moncton, NB | $3,000 – $6,500 | $2,500 – $5,000 | $1,800 – $3,500 |
| Charlottetown, PEI | $3,000 – $6,000 | $2,500 – $4,500 | $1,500 – $3,000 |
