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Scattering ashes may take away your opportunity to grieve and heal, and the psychological consequences can be severe. You lose your chance to establish a family legacy and step into legal gray areas where you risk being fined. Also, there are severe adverse environmental impacts of spreading cremated remains without proper management, such as water and soil contamination.

In the lower mainland, if you pre-book or pre-purchase a burial plot, you can avoid the risk of failing to find an appropriate resting place for your loved one. Otherwise, you may have to look for a cemetery tirelessly for days, pay an exorbitant amount, and still not get the opportunity to arrange a perfect burial for them. You may even have to resort to burying them in resold plots or giving up exclusive rights to the plot.

Most people have to resort to Vancouver’s cremation services over burial. Affordability, urban environment, flexibility, and environmental benefits are the main factors behind their choices. However, burial provides a permanent resting place for your loved ones, helps observe cultural and religious traditions, and helps establish a family legacy. Your choice should consider which of these factors you prioritize the most.

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.