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Greater Vancouver's cemeteries are facing a greater demand for burial plots due to rapid population growth, urbanization, and inefficient use of burial spaces. The lower mainland’s poor land management and planning have also left little to no space for cemeteries to expand. Cemeteries have also begun to focus more on profit, amplifying the shortage even more.

Perennial flowers that are hardy and don’t overrun or grow too tall are ideal for planting at gravesites. Coneflower, Black-eyed Susan, Blazing Star, Stonecrop, and Catmint are ideal choices. Annual flowers such as Forget-me-not, Sea Lavender, and Marigold carry emotional significance. If there’s lots of shade, planting Coral Bells, Bleeding Heart, Hosta, or Daylilies is a good idea. However, you should always check cemetery regulations about planting, as at Bakerview we only allow plants in approved vases.

According to religious guidelines, Christians are permitted to visit cemeteries, whereas Muslims are actively encouraged to do so. Hindus, Sikhs, and Buddhists are not keen to visit a grave but are permitted to. Jews are discouraged from visiting graves as it may take their focus away from life and God. In Canada, any people from any religion can visit most cemeteries and crematoriums of any faith.

Mausoleums are architecturally impressive structures constructed to house the dead above ground and pay tribute to their legacies. Those entombed within are kept safe from the elements and decay through a controlled environment. A mausoleum can be built to either house bodies or cremated remains, or a mix of both. 

Family legacy is important because it builds an individual's identity, purpose, and character through the family’s culture and tradition. Cemeteries play a vital role in the process as they are physical proof of the family tree, markers of family history, and anchor points for impactful events for the family. A family estate or mausoleum in a cemetery can preserve centuries of family history for future generations to learn from.

Aside from cemetery-specific restrictions, Christianity allows Muslims to visit their cemeteries. Islam also allows Muslims to visit graveyards of other religions but not participate in the customs. Both religions permit visiting cemeteries so that followers can understand death and the afterlife.

You cannot visit Jewish cemeteries on Shabbat, as it is considered as a day of rest and a day of celebration. Judaism discourages lingering emotions for the dead and focuses on an individual’s connection to God and life. This philosophy directly contradicts grave visitation during Shabbat.

The gradual building shortage of burial spaces, inflation, and profit-oriented mindset of cemeteries have caused the cost of burial plots in Greater Vancouver to skyrocket in recent years. The average cost of burial niches has gone to over $7,000, and casket spaces on average can cost over $30,000 in 2024. Over 80% of people now choose cremation as they don’t want to pay exorbitant prices.

A Muslim cemetery looks as spartan and barren as possible. The burial ground is minimalistic and unadorned. The cemetery is kept clean of debris or dust and gathering around a grave to perform any ritual or ceremony is forbidden.

At an Islamic burial, the Muslim community gathers to pray for the dead, gives them a simple burial according to Islamic laws, and then heads to the house of the immediate family to comfort and care for them. It is a modest, somber, and sincere affair that helps the deceased and their family process the life after.