Welcome to Vancouver's Cemetery
For the first time in a quarter century Vancouver’s only cemetery has new spaces available for purchase.
Columbaria
The recently completed columbaria project at Mountain View Cemetery has resulted in more than 2,000 new spaces available for cremated remains. Read our FAQ for information on prices.
Custom Family columbaria are now being developed by Mountain View. These unique structures will have 5 niches and will be able to hold 20 interments. $40,000. Contact cemetery staff for further details.
In-ground Cremation Space
The cemetery has new in-ground cremation space available for purchase. Prices range from $2500 to $3200 for a lot permitting two (2) interments, and $4000 for a lot permitting four (4) interments.
In-ground Burial Space
We are very pleased to let you know that casket graves are now available for purchase.
These new lots are located in the Masonic and Knights of Pythias sections which are in close proximity to the office building located by 39th and Fraser St.
Each lot will accommodate 8 cremated remains and 2 caskets. The lot is reusable for casket burial after remains have been interred for 40 years.
As a hybrid green cemetery through the Green Burial Council - Mountain View Cemetery does not require the use of vaults and liners. Embalming is not a requirement and bio-degradable urns and caskets are accepted.
The cost of each lot is $22,500.00 & hst.
How to Purchase Space
To purchase space we recommend that you contact the cemetery office at 604.325.2646, email mountain.view@vancouver.ca to set up an appointment.
Appointment times are available between the hours of 8:30am and 3:00pm Monday to Friday (excluding stat holidays).
We look forward to serving the needs of you and your family.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Columbaria and Niche Spaces at Mountain View
What is a columbarium?
A columbarium is an above ground structure specifically designed to hold containers of cremated remains. See some images
What is a niche?
A niche is an individual compartment in a columbarium
| Companion Niche (2 urns) | Care Fund | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bottom Row | 2,610 | 290 | 2,900 |
| Second from Bottom Row | 3,150 | 350 | 3,500 |
| Upper Rows | 3,780 | 420 | 4,200 |
| Interment | |||
| Cremated Remains - in niche | 350 | ||
| Additional Cremated Remains (concurrent with another interment) |
110 | ||
| Inscription | |||
| Niche Inscription | 275 | ||
| Plus applicable taxes | |||
How many urns of cremated remains can go in a niche?
All the current niches are ‘companion’ niches and are allowed to hold up to two interments of cremated remains. The rights holder is responsible to ensure that any urns used are sized appropriately to fit inside the niches.
What are the inside dimensions of the niches?
The inside of the niches are 11” deep, 13” wide and 12” high. The front of the niche is slightly smaller (12.25” wide by 10” high) so some urns may need to be tipped slightly to enter the niche. (Some niches are slightly larger.)
Is there a special kind of urn or container that the cremated remains need to be in?
Currently there is no required material for urns. However, the niches are not air tight so condensation will enter the niche space. The cemetery strongly recommends the use of a non-biodegradable container for all cremated remains placed in the niches.
What if my urn is too big for the niche or if I can only fit one urn?
It is the responsibility of the family to ensure that the urns used will fit within the niche. The Cemetery office has two sample niches that you can use for testing the fit.
How secure are the niches?
These niches are designed to discourage and prevent unauthorized entry. The outer stone panels are 1.5 inches thick and the screws securing the inner metal door require a special attachment. These niches are at least as secure as other outdoor columbaria options currently available in the lower mainland. Nothing is beyond the limits of someone who is determined to compromise the niche and no guarantees are made to prevent this from happening.
How many niches may a person purchase?
There is currently no limit on the number of niches a person can purchase. Bear in mind that niches cannot be sold privately – only transferred to family members. (A family member is defined in our bylaw as a parent, step parent, grandparent, step grandparent, spouse, common law spouse, same sex spouse, or natural, adopted or step sibling, child, or grandchild)
What are my payment options?
Payment for niches must be made in full at the time of purchase. We accept cash, cheque, money order, interact, Visa, MasterCard and American Express.
Can I make monthly payments or other installments?
No. The cemetery does not extend credit nor accept partial payments.
Can a niched be returned for a refund?
Yes. Within 30 days you will be refunded 100% of your fees for a niche that has not had an inscription. If you request your refund after 30 days you will be refunded your original purchase price less the care and maintenance portion (10%) and an administrative fee (currently $50)
Can a niche with a completed inscription be returned for a refund?
Yes – but the amount of a replacement niche front will be deducted from the amount refunded.
Can a niche be traded for a burial plot or in-ground cremation plot once they are available?
The original purchase price of a niche (less an administrative fee [currently $50]) can be applied towards the purchase of another space in the cemetery
If a niche is purchased for another relative, can it be transferred to their relatives name?
At the time of purchase anyone can be assigned as the owner. Once the owner is assigned, it can only be returned to the cemetery or transferred to a family member (A family member is defined in our bylaw as a parent, step parent, grandparent, step grandparent, spouse, common law spouse, same sex spouse, or natural, adopted or step sibling, child, or grandchild). They cannot be transferred to aunts, uncles, cousins, etc.
How long do I own the ‘interment right’ for a niche?
Provincial law stipulates that you own the interment right in perpetuity (forever).
What are the prices of the niches?
The interment rights for the niches are priced at 3 levels: $2,600 for the bottom row, $3,100 for the second row from the bottom and $3,800 for all other rows (there are a few exceptions to the bottom row pricing on a few columbaria)
Why are the prices set by row?
In general higher niches are more desirable than bottom niches. The pricing structure reflects this and can be seen as a premium for the higher niches or a discount for the lower niches.
Why are some bottom niches not at the lowest price?
Some of the longer columbaria have stepped rows – where the bottom at one end of the columbaria is the second from bottom at the other end. For simplicity sake, the pricing is consistent along an entire row.
What do we ‘own’ when we purchase a niche?
All you are purchasing is the “interment rights” for that specific space – the right to place cremated remains inside in perpetuity. You acquire no other interest or rights in the niche, columbaria or cemetery. The entire structure remains the sole property of the cemetery. This is the provincial law and applies to all grave space in all cemeteries in British Columbia and in most provinces.
Who owns the columbarium?
The columbarium is owned by the City of Vancouver (Mountain View Cemetery) and remains the sole property of the City and cemetery.
Who owns the niche front or stone panel?
The niche front or stone panel is part of the columbarium and is owned by the City of Vancouver (Mountain View Cemetery) and remains the sole property of the City and cemetery.
Why are some panels larger than others?
Most of the niches are covered with a single panel however the columbaria design includes some larger panels as well. These larger panels cover two or three niches and are intended to provide visual interest as well as provide an opportunity for some of those who purchase more than one niche to have the inscriptions done on one larger panel.
Can the larger panels be moved if I want a large panel over two or more niches?
Not always. There is some flexibility within the design and layout of the columbaria to move some of the panels. The Cemetery Manager must approve any movement of niche front panels.
How long does it take to get the inscription completed?
Once the fees have been paid and we have an application form approved by the family we expect to be able to complete the inscription within 5 working days. This target may be more difficult to achieve in the first few months as we expect to be busier than normal.
Can the inscription be done in other languages?
Inscriptions in other languages will be available. The Cemetery will establish the layout of the niche and size of the inscription to ensure that it is consistent with all other niches.
Do I have to inscribe the niche front?
No. There is no obligation to inscribe anything on the niche front. It can remain blank.
Can I have a bronze plaque attached to the niche front?
No. The niche fronts remain the sole property of the cemetery and only inscriptions approved and completed by the cemetery are allowed on the niche fronts
Can I use a different font for my niche inscription?
No. The font and layout of all niche inscriptions is set and controlled by the cemetery to ensure that it is done in a consistent manner and in keeping with the design intent.
Can I have a picture or image engraved on the niche front?
No. Only text is allowed on the niche fronts and only in a font and layout approved by the cemetery.
Can I have someone else do the inscription?
No. The cemetery owns the columbaria (including the niche fronts) and reserves the right to perform all inscriptions.
Why is the cemetery so restricitve on the niche inscriptions?
Consistency in the font and layout of the inscriptions is integral to the design of the columbaria and landscape improvements. Most columbaria have restrictions on the niche layouts. Those without restrictions quickly become a jumble of styles and it takes away from the overall appearance of the columbaria.
What will happen to items placed on the shelves in front of the niches?
The shelves are only to provide a place for items to be placed temporarily – for a few days. Any items placed on the shelves are placed at your risk. The cemetery accepts no responsibility for these items. Cemetery staff will regularly remove these items and they will be disposed of. The cemetery may establish a regular day each week that this is done.
What will happen to items placed on the shelf at the time of interment?
Typically we allow any items to remain at the site for 7 days after an interment before we remove them. However, these columbaria will be in frequent use in the coming months and we will not necessarily be able to keep every item on the shelf for 7 days. Small items like a pebble or flower may stay but larger items (vases, potted plants) will be removed immediately. Any items that you do not wish to have disposed of should be removed after the interment service.
What if I tape or glue something to the niche or shelf?
This is strictly not allowed and it will be removed by cemetery staff immediately. The niches and columbaria remain the property of the cemetery and the City of Vancouver. Such attempts will be considered vandalism of city property and the owner of the interment right for the corresponding niche will be notified. Future occurrences may result in the cemetery billing the owner for costs to rectify if the shelf or niche front is damaged.
What is included in the cost for a niche?
The cost of the niche includes the “interment right” for two cremated remains in perpetuity and the 10% contribution to the cemetery care and maintenance fund. This contribution is mandated by provincial legislation.
What other costs will I need to consider?
Other costs that you will have to pay are an interment fee (to have cremated remains placed in the niche) and an inscription fee to have the niche front inscribed.
Can I pre-pay any of these other costs?
No. Fees can only be paid for goods or services that the cemetery is able to provide at that time.
Can items be placed on the walkway?
No. Any items placed on the walkways present tripping hazards to the public and will be removed and disposed of immediately by cemetery staff.
Can flower containers be left on the shelf?
Any items placed on the shelves will be removed by cemetery staff weekly and disposed of.
Why are flower containers available on other columbaria niches?
Each cemetery and columbaria type has its own set of rules and regulations. Our cemetery and our columbaria do not accommodate any type of fixture or attachment.
What about a glass candle, vase or small porcelain statue on the shelves?
The cemetery does not permit any breakable objects to be placed anywhere in the cemetery. It creates a potential hazard for staff and visitors if broken and they are removed immediately and disposed of.
