Municipal Cemetery

• Map - Directions to Cemetery
• Map - Cemetery Plot Schematic
• Form - Schedule B "Interment Right Contract"
• Form - Schedule C "Interment Authorization"
• Cemetery Bylaw - Bylaw No. 1565; Consolidated March 2009
• Schedule of Fees and Charges - Bylaw 1941
• Niche Dimensions

Town of Smithers does not provide funeral home services; however, the following services are available directly through the Municipal Office:

• Burial plot sales and columbarium niche sales (including plot and niche reservations).
• Headstone installation.
• Placement of cremains in a columbarium niche without a scheduled service.
• Placement of cremains in a cremains plot without a scheduled service.

Schraders Funeral Home (250-847-2440) provides the above services and offers ceremony and other arrangements as well.

A regular burial plot is 1.5m x 3.0m (5ft x 10ft). With preplanning, each regular burial plot has space for two caskets (one above, one below) and four cremation urns. See the Schedule of Fees and Charges for costs. Please review the following when planning a casket burial: 

• Casket burials must be arranged through a Funeral Home.
• To reserve a plot, the plot purchase will complete the reservation.   Plot purchases may be made either through a Funeral Home or at the municipal office.
• The open/close (excavation) fee is paid at the time of interment.
• To plan ahead for a second casket burial in the same plot, the first casket must be placed at extra depth.  In the Schedule of Fees and Charges, refer to “Burial Plot Extra Depth”.
• In addition to the regular burial sections, plots are available in the designated cemetery sections for veterans, Masons, and children.

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There are three options for the interment of cremated remains:

1. Cremains burial in existing family plot:
   
   Each regular plot has space for burial of up to four urns. This is true whether the plot holds one casket or two.
2. Cremains burial in a smaller ‘Cremation plot’:
   
   Smaller plots (0.8m x 0.8m; 2.6ft x 2.6ft) are available to hold cremated remains. Each plot holds up to two urns, and a small headstone may be mounted at ground level.
3. Niche in the Columbarium:
   
   The columbaria are the above-ground stone structures located to the left upon entering the cemetery. Each columbarium niche can hold two standard size urns; see niche dimensions here.  Niche plaques can be ordered through Schraders Funeral Home.

See the Schedule of Fees and Charges for purchase cost and open/close fees. 

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The Town's Cemetery Bylaw includes a number of rules regulating headstone size and installation, including:

1. Memorials and markers must be laid flat at ground level.
2. Memorials and markers for cremated remains shall not exceed 450 mm x 450 mm (18 in. x 18 in.)  in size.
3. Memorial markers for regular burial plots shall be between 500 x 300 x 75 mm (20 x 12 x 3 in) and 900 x 400 x 75 mm (36 x 16 x 3 in).
4. No grave marker shall be installed by any person other than persons duly authorized.

Headstones and memorials are not sold by Town of Smithers.  Local providers include Northern Memorials (Vanderhoof), Spirit Stones (Terrace), and Schrader’s Funeral Home. If using another supplier, ensure they are aware of the Town`s monument size and style restrictions by providing them with a copy of Cemetery Bylaw 1565.

Columbarium plaques may be purchased through Schraders Funeral Home (250-847-2441). Identical plaques help maintain a consistent and cohesive look to the columbarium section.

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Mementos and flowers are important for the memory of a loved one and add interest and beauty to the cemetery. However, the Town’s Cemetery Bylaw includes the following regulations to improve the upkeep of the cemetery and assist Public Works with maintenance:

1. Cut flowers, wreaths, and floral offerings may be placed on graves but may be removed when their condition is considered to be detrimental to the beauty of the cemetery.
2. Curbs or upright memorials are not permitted, and no grave or grave space shall be defined by a fence, railing, coping, hedge, or by other marking except by an approved memorial marker, tablet, or monument.
3. The Smithers Cemetery reserves the right to remove, without prior notice, memorial products, personal mementos, decorations, or floral tributes which do not comply with the Cemetery Bylaw and Regulations.

Generally speaking, Town staff endeavor to leave minor decorations, mementos, and flowers in place until maintenance or other circumstances require their repositioning or removal. Please see the Cemetery Bylaw 1565 for the complete Cemetery regulation.

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The memorial for Unborn Children is to the right upon entering the cemetery. This memorial is managed by the Pro-Life Society of Smithers. Please contact the Pro-Life Society for further information.