NOTICE
St. George Fairvalley Cemetery
66 Fairvalley Church Road
Oro-Medonte Township
Mailing address: P.O. Box 285
COLDWATER, ON L0K 1E0
St. George Fairvalley Cemetery Board has submitted by-laws to the Registrar of the Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act, 2002. Any interested parties may visit our website at stgeorgefairvalley.org/cemetery to review or make copies, or contact Don Reid, Cemetery Board Chair, at 705-835-3951 for information. By-laws or amendments may be reviewed or copied at stgeorgefairvalley.org/cemetery .
These by-laws are subject to the approval of the Registrar, Funeral, Burial, and Cremation Services Act, 2002. Telephone: Bereavement Authority of Ontario 647-483-2645 or 1-844-493-6356.
Period Posted: June 19 – July 19, 2025
St. George Fairvalley Cemetery
66 Fairvalley Church Road
Oro-Medonte Township
Mailing address: P.O. Box 285
COLDWATER, ON L0K 1E0
www. stgeorgefairvalley.org
Email: info@stgeorgefairvalley.org
RULES AND REGULATIONS 2025
These by-laws are the rules that govern the operations of St. George Fairvalley Cemetery, 66 Fairvalley Church Road, P.O. Box 285, Coldwater, ON L0K 1E0, located in the Township of Oro-Medonte. They are in compliance with the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002 (FBCSA), Ontario Regulation 30/11 (O. Reg. 30/11) and Ontario Regulation 184/12 (O. Reg. 184/12), and have been approved by the Registrar, FBCSA, Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) (“the Registrar”).
Effective date: April 23, 2025
Liability of the Board: The Cemetery Board will take reasonable precautions to protect the property of Interment Rights Holders but assumes no responsibility for damages to any
person, monument, marker, or other article of any type that may be placed on any grave. The Board may, from time to time, repeal the rules or parts thereof in such a manner as in
their discretion will best serve the interests of the property under their control, subject to the approval of the Ministry of Government Services, Consumer Protection Branch, Cemeteries Regulations Unit.
GENERAL REGULATIONS
1. Monument Installation: Only companies approved by the Cemetery Board are permitted to install monuments and markers in the Cemetery. The approved companies will supply a list of all work to be done including the name of the Interment Holder to the Cemetery Board. (see Monuments and Markers below).
2. Floral Tributes and Care and Planting/Decoration of Graves: Flowers, plants and trees may be placed in the Cemetery after consultation with the Board regarding the following general directions.
a. Flower beds may not exceed the length of the monument base or exceed fifteen (15) inches in width. Plantings are only allowed in front of the monument. Fresh cut flowers or potted plants are permitted year-round and must be placed in the designated planting area or in a non-breakable, non-corrosive flower vase adjacent to the memorial. Fresh cut flowers and potted plants that have become unsightly and empty flower vases will be removed and disposed of by the Cemetery Board without notice.
b. Artificial flowers and monument saddles are prohibited.
c. Hanging Baskets: Hanging baskets will be permitted on a shepherd hook only placed against the monument base. Portable urns, glass artificial flower holders and other semi-permanent articles are prohibited.
d. Ornamental shrubs are no longer allowed to be planted in the Cemetery. The Cemetery Board has the right to remove or trim existing shrubs which encroach on adjacent lots.
e. Trees may be planted at the Cemetery in memory of a loved one. Planting of trees will not be allowed at the gravesite. The planting of trees must be made in consultation with the Cemetery Board.
f. Flowers placed on a grave for a funeral shall be removed by the Cemetery Board after a reasonable time period to protect the sod and maintain the tidy appearance of the Cemetery.
g. No person other than Cemetery Board personnel shall remove any sod or in any other way change the surface of the burial lot in the Cemetery with the exception of flower beds (see #2a above).
h. Flower bed maintenance, pruning, fertilizing, watering, etc. are the sole responsibility of the interment rights holder.
i. Should plant material (e.g. trees, shrubs, gardens, etc.) become unsightly, neglected, obscure the monument, or infringe on an adjacent lot or plot, the plant material will be removed by the Cemetery Board and the area restored to lawn. The removal of plant material may also be necessary for the opening of a grave. The Cemetery Board will not be held liable for the removal of any plant material.
j. The Cemetery Board reserves the right to disallow or remove quantities of memorial wreaths or flowers considered to be excessive and that diminish the otherwise tidy appearance of the Cemetery.
3. Refuse and Rubbish: Rubbish must not be thrown on any part of the grounds.
4. Solar Lights: Solar lights will be limited to two white lights maximum in line with
monument.
5. Complaints: Complaints of Interment Rights Holders must be made to the Board and not
to workers on the grounds.
6. Fences or Railings around Lots: Borders, fences, railings or hedges around lots are
prohibited.
7. Personal Columbariums: Any new personal columbariums are not permitted at the
Cemetery. Any existing personal columbariums already installed will be grand-fathered.
PURCHASE OF INTERMENT RIGHTS
1. Purchase: Interment Rights to a lot may be purchased from the Board at the tariff of rates
in effect at the time of purchase and according to the plans of the Cemetery. Lot to be
paid in full at time of purchase.
The purchase of interment rights entitles holders to the burial of the dead and the erection
of monuments, but only in accordance with the rules set out in the section entitled
Monuments and Markers.
2. Care and Maintenance: Fees for care and maintenance, which include maintenance of
the grounds are included in the purchase price of the rights, as specified in the Provincial
Legislation.
3. Transfer of Burial Rights: To ensure correctness of Cemetery records, no transfer of
interment rights will be recognized unless written notice has been given to the Cemetery
Board, as specified in the Provincial Legislation.
4. Resale of Interment Rights by Holders: Holders may only resell interment rights back to
the Cemetery as specified in the Provincial legislation. The resale price will be the price
at the current time minus perpetual care already remitted. An administration fee will be
applied by the Cemetery Board. Interment Rights Holders wishing to take this action must
contact the Cemetery Board.
INTERMENTS
1. Burial Permit: A burial permit, or Certificate of Cremation issued by the Divisional Registrar and showing that the death has been registered properly, must be deposited with the Cemetery Board before an interment can take place.
2. Notice Required: The Cemetery Board must be given at least two (2) working days notice of an interment need. Regular interments are held between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. Monday to Friday. Interments will not be allowed on any Sunday or Statutory Holiday or between the first snowfall and spring breakup. Special arrangements may be made with the Cemetery Board for other times. Extra charges apply in these special situations.
3. Interment/Burial Service: At the completion of the burial service and not longer than fifteen (15) minutes following the service, visitors shall remove themselves away from the grave site a minimum distance of fifty (50) feet to allow workers to complete the burial process.
4. Cemetery Board and Ordained Clergy Presence: A Cemetery Board member and an ordained clergy of a recognized church denomination must be in attendance at each interment.
5. Casket/Containers: Remains must be delivered to the Cemetery in a closed casket or rigid container. Bodies delivered or presented only in a shroud will not be accepted for interment.
6. Vault: It is strongly recommended that caskets/rigid containers be buried in a vault to protect the integrity of the grave and to prevent casket decay/deterioration.
7. Interments: One full casket burial and a maximum of three (3) cremations, or three (3) cremations will be allowed per lot. Urn vaults are recommended for cremated remains interred prior to casket burial in a lot. The cemetery operator is not responsible if there is an issue or failure with the urn or container which may occur during disinterment.
8. Scattering Rights: Scattering of cremated remains is strictly prohibited anywhere on the Cemetery grounds.
9. Animals/Pets: Full bodies or cremated remains of any animals or pets shall not be placed or scattered anywhere in the Cemetery.
10. All disinterments will be done in accordance with the Cemeteries Act.
11. No interment or other services or supplies will be provided for a lot until all arrears connected with that lot have been paid in full.
MONUMENTS AND MARKERS
1. Definition. For the purpose of these regulations, a monument shall be understood to be a permanent memorial structure projecting above the ground level. Maximum height of monuments to be three (3) feet from the top of the base. A marker shall be understood to be either a pillow or a flat marker. A pillow marker is not to exceed eight (8) inches in height with the back being approximately two (2) inches higher than the front. A flat marker is installed level with the ground.
2. Limitation. No monument or marker shall be erected until all charges are paid in full. Drawings with dimensions must be provided and approved by the Cemetery Board on all monuments or markers to be installed. Variances must be approved by the Cemetery Board.
3. Material. Monuments and Markers shall be of standard granite or marble. No artificial or perishable material including sandstone and limestone shall be allowed. Natural boulders, field stone and wooden markers are not permitted.
4. Foundations: All monuments must be placed on concrete foundations built to the following specifications not less than four (4) feet deep, not more than twelve (12) inches wide and the upper surface to be flush with the ground.
5. Monument Base: All upright monuments must be placed on a granite or marble base having a minimum height of eight (8) inches. Monument bases together with corner markers and previously approved shrubs must not exceed the width of the plot [forty-two (42) inches].
6. Monument: Monument must have a minimum thickness of six (6) inches (Department of Veterans Affairs [D.V.A.] monuments exempted) and the monument must not protrude over the end or side of the base. Monuments must not exceed three (3) feet above top
of the base.
7. Removal of Monuments: When any monument or marker is to be removed for cleaning, inscription, renovations, etc., written notification signed by the Interment Rights Holder shall be made to the Cemetery Board. Dealers/contractors doing said work will be
responsible for any Cemetery damage.
8. Comprehensive Insurance & WSIB: Proof of liability insurance of not less than $2 (two) million, and WSIB must be provided by contractors to the Cemetery Board in advance of entering the Cemetery for any and all work performed in the Cemetery.
VISITORS
1. Visitors: Visitors are welcome at the Cemetery.
2. Improper Conduct: Visitors are expected to show appropriate respect for the Cemetery. Any person disturbing the quiet and good order of the Cemetery by noise or other improper conduct, or who violates the rules of the Cemetery may be expelled from the grounds by the Cemetery Board, Cemetery-related personnel, or police.
3. Dogs and Pets: Dogs and Pets are not allowed to run at large in the Cemetery and must be kept on a leash. Any excrement created by the dog/pet must be cleaned up and removed by its owner.
4. Persons under the age of sixteen (16) are not permitted on the grounds unless in the charge of an adult who shall be responsible for their good conduct.
5. Firearms: No person with firearms will be admitted to the Cemetery except in the case of a military funeral.
6. Alcohol/Drugs: Alcohol/drug use is prohibited within the Cemetery.
7. Vehicles: Only cars/small trucks are allowed in the Cemetery. Off road, motorcycles and recreational vehicles are prohibited. Vehicles within the Cemetery shall be driven with due decorum. Owners of vehicles shall be responsible for any damage done by them or their drivers.
DEFINITIONS
1. Burial/Interment: The opening of a lot and then placing of a dead human body or the remains of a cremated human body in that lot, followed by closing the lot. A lot is a grave in the ground.
2. Cremated Remains: All recoverable bone fragments of a dead human body that remain after cremation in a crematorium. Bone fragments are mechanically processed to reduce the particle size.
3. Grave: See Lot.
4. Interment Right: The right to require or direct the interment or disinterment of human remains or cremated human remains in a grave/lot and to authorize the installation (and inscriptions) of a monument or marker.
5. Contract for Purchase of Interment Rights or Cemetery Supplies or Services: The document issued by the cemetery operator to the purchaser once the interment rights to a specific lot have been paid in full, identifying ownership and authority over those specific interment rights.
6. Interment Rights Holder: The person(s) authorized or entitled to authorize the interment of human remains in a specified lot. They may be the person named in the Contract for Purchase of Interment Rights or Cemetery Supplies or Services or such other person to whom the rights have been assigned.
7. Lot: An area of land in a cemetery containing, or set aside to contain, interred human remains and includes a tomb/casket/vault or urn with cremated remains.
8. Opening and Closing Fee: The fee charged by the cemetery operator to excavate a grave for an interment and then refill the grave.
9. Plot: Two or more lots in respect of which the rights to inter/bury have been sold as a unit. The sale of single “lots” at St. George Fairvalley Cemetery has replaced the sale of
plots. (see #7 above).
These revised regulations supersede all previously published regulations and are approved by the
Registrar
Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act (FBCSA)
Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) (“the Registrar”).