A loved one has passed away and now what do the survivors do?
Unless your loved one has left specific instructions about what to do after their death, the following outlines the steps leading from cremation to interment in the Holy Trinity Anglican Cemetery.
Step 1: CREMATION
Arrange for the body to be cremated at a registered cremation service. Note: Holy Trinity Cemetery no longer conducts full casket burials.
Step 2: INITIAL CONTACT
Contact the Sexton at sexton@holytrinityns.org or the parish office at admin@holytrinityns.org with the full name and date of death of the deceased. Indicate whether a plot in the name of the deceased has already been registered with the Cemetery or whether a plot is being requested. Available plots are limited to parishioners of Holy Trinity Church in North Saanich or to parishioners of St.-Andrew Church in Sidney or to immediate relatives of someone whose remains are already buried or interred in the Cemetery.
Step 3: FOLLOW UP & SETTING THE DATE
The Sexton or a representative will contact you to confirm the registered plot location or to arrange for a plot purchase which is called the Right to Inter. He/she will also provide the current fee schedule. The Right to Inter is a lease in perpetuity for a cremation plot. Be prepared to suggest a date for a memorial service in either church and/or the interment of ashes in the Cemetery. Do not set a date or have family make travel plans until the date has been set by the Sexton or priest conducting the service.
Step 4: INTERMENT ADMINISTRATION
On the day of the funeral service and/or interment, a designated family member will meet with the Sexton or representative 10-15 minutes prior to the interment for the necessary paperwork and payment of fees. Funeral arrangements are made separately with either church. The Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act of BC requires the transfer of human remains to be documented so there will be a form to sign. A copy of the Death Certificate or the Cremation Certificate will be required, preferably before the interment date.
Step 5: INTERMENT SERVICE
The interment service at the graveside will be conducted by either an Anglican priest, usually one of the incumbents of either Holy Trinity or St-Andrew, or by a Christian minister of the family’s choosing. The plot will have been uncovered (opened) beforehand and will be covered over (closed) after the family has left. The urn is placed into the plot opening or the ashes are poured into the opening. The priest will lead attendees through a few prayers and the blessing. This is a very personal event and, other than the prayers, words and blessing by the officiant, family members will have the opportunity to add their own prayers, words, songs, etc. as they wish. This should be discussed with the officiant beforehand.
Step 6: HEADSTONE OR MARKER
If a marker is to be placed over the cremation plot after the interment, arrangements can be done separately through one of the many monument-maker companies in the region. The Sexton would be happy to assist the family in making those arrangements.
For inquiries about the location of loved ones in the cemetery contactDan LeBlanc