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The Municipal Cemeteries Branch

Frequently Asked Questions
& Funeral Services Terminology

Frequently Asked Questions

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When are the Municipal Cemeteries grounds open?
The cemeteries are generally open for visiting every day of the week. However, hours can vary depending on the season, weather, and road conditions.

View the Municipal Cemeteries grounds hours
What times are permitted for booking interments/inurnments?
Brookside Cemetery
Interments/inurnments may be booked Monday-Friday between 9 AM and 3:30 PM

St. Vital Cemetery
Interments/inurnments may be booked Monday- Friday between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM

Transcona Cemetery
Interments/inurnments may be booked Monday-Friday between 9:30 AM and 3:30 PM

*Booking times are subject to availability at the time of booking, and are on a first come first serve basis. Any interment/inurnment where the grave or niche unit is not closed by Cemeteries staff by 3:45 PM will be subject a late funeral fee.

Weekend interment/inurnments are subject to staff availability and if approved, are subject to additional fees at the time of booking. Please contact our Customer Service Advisors for more information, or to submit an interment/inurnment booking.
Can flower arrangements, wreaths or memorabilia be left at a gravesite?
Flower arrangements and wreaths may be placed on an interment/burial site immediately following the funeral. After this all flowers must be left in an invertible memorial vase installed in the ground or as an integral part of the memorial. Memorabilia is not permitted to remain.
  • Vases made of glass or breakable material will be removed immediately and disposed of for health and safety reasons.
Wreaths on stands may be placed during the winter months (November 1 to April 30).
  • Other items of memorabilia such as photographs are not permitted to be left in the cemetery grounds.
How long can flower arrangements/wreaths stay on the gravesite after the interment/burial?
The flowers are allowed to remain up to 10 days after the interment but we recommend if you wish to retain the flowers, to collect them from the gravesite within the week after the interment.
Can the Cemeteries Branch place a flower arrangement or wreath at the gravesite for me?
No, this must be organized by you. But if you are using a florist to deliver, we will assist the company in locating the gravesite to place the flowers.
Are flowers available to purchase at the cemetery?
No, but we do have a limited amount of funeral and seasonal wreaths available for sale year round.
Can I plant flowers on the grave?
Annual flowers may be planted only in areas where they are allowed in the cemetery. For complete information on flower planting please contact our Customer Service Advisors or refer to the Cemetery Rules and Regulations.
When is water available in the cemetery grounds?
Water is generally available after the May long weekend until sometime in the fall (weather dependant). Contact our Customer Service Advisors.
What do I do if the cemetery water tap is not working?
Please contact our Customer Service Advisors.
What do I do if there is a tap leaking in the cemetery?
Please contact our Customer Service Advisors.
Can I sod the gravesite?
No.
Can I cut the grass on the gravesite myself?
No.
Can I inline skate or skateboard in the cemetery grounds?
No, but bicycles are allowed when used as a means of transportation.
Are pets permitted in the cemetery?
Yes, but owners must ensure that any pet remains on a leash and that all excrement is cleaned up and removed from the cemetery grounds.
Are there any types of urns that are not permitted for use in the City of Winnipeg Cemeteries?
Glass, ceramic, and pottery urns are not accepted (i.e. no breakable items). Wooden urns are not recommended for use in outdoor columbaria.
What types of urns are permitted for use in the City of Winnipeg Cemeteries?
Brass, steel, cultured marble, marble, polypropylene, granite, wood, cardboard and other biodegradable materials. If you are unsure if your urn or vessel would be a permitted material, please contact our Customer Service Advisors for clarification.

Funeral Services Terminology

Administrator:
The Administrator of the Municipal Cemeteries Branch or his/her designate.

Cemetery or Cemeteries:
Brookside, St. Vital or Transcona Cemeteries or any other cemetery operated by the City of Winnipeg.

Child:
A human being from two to 10 years of age.

Child lot or Infant lot:
An area of land sufficient in size for the interment of one child or infant casket.

City:
The City of Winnipeg.

Columbarium:
An above ground structure or building in a cemetery designed and used for the interment of the cremated remains of a deceased person/s.

Council:
City Council of The City of Winnipeg.

Cremated remains lot/plot:
An area of land designated to be used solely for the interment of the cremated remains of a deceased person(s).

Cremation Certificate:
 The certificate provided by the funeral home or crematorium

Cremorial:
A compartment in an in-ground structure for the interment of cremated remains of a human being.

Crypt:
A sub-surface vault used for the interment of the cremated remains of more than one deceased person.

Depth:
The measurement taken from front to back of a monument, monument base or foundation. For a marker, the depth shall refer to the measurement taken from the surface to the underside.

Director:
The director of the department responsible for the cemeteries operated by the City, or his/her designate.

Double depth interments:
A lot dug at extra depth at time of the interment of the first casket to accommodate a second interment at regular depth.

Funeral Director/Home:
Any individual, firm, partnership or corporation who arrange funerals on behalf of their private clients.

Height:
The measurement taken from top to bottom of a monument, monument base or foundation. For a marker, the height shall refer to the measurement taken from the top to the bottom of the marker face.

Infant:
 A human being under the age of two years.

Interment:
The burial, placement or scattering of human remains or cremated remains in a lot, plot, crypt or niche.

Interment Fee:
The charges for the opening and closing of a lot, plot, cremated remains lot/plot, crypt or niche, use of lowering device, grave linings, earth cover and other necessary services.

Lot:
An area of land sufficient for the interment of one adult casket.

Marker:
A flat memorial marker installed flush with the surrounding turf on a lot, plot or cremated remains lot/plot, in memory of a deceased person.

Medical Section:
The section of a cemetery where the remains of persons who have donated their bodies to the University of Manitoba are interred.

Memorial:
A monument, plaque or flat marker installed in memory of a deceased person.

Memorial Dealer:
Any individual, firm, partnership or corporation who manufactures, sells or installs memorials.

Monument:
An upright memorial.

Niche:
A compartment in a columbarium for the interment of cremated remains of a deceased person.

Ossuary:
An underground chamber used for the interment of loose/co-mingled cremated remains.

Owner:
The owner of a lot, plot, cremated remains lot/plot, cremorial or niche.

Plot:
An area of land sufficient for interment of two or more caskets.

Scattering Bed:
An area of land set aside for the in-ground scattering of cremated remains.

Select Sections:
Areas where only flat markers are permitted and must be placed at the foot of the lot/plot.

Summer Season:
The time period from May 1 to October 31 in any year.

Vase:
An open container intended as a receptacle for flowers.

Vault:
A reinforced box placed inside a lot, plot or cremated remains lot/plot.

Width:
The measurement taken from side to side of a monument, marker or foundation.

Winter Season:
The time period from November 1 to April 30 in any year.

Last update: October 7, 2019
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