Cemetery Master Plan - Stage 2 Survey

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The concept for Aberdeen Cemetery includes a range of proposed improvements aimed at enhancing the overall visitor experience and planning for future interment needs.

Key upgrades include a formalized pedestrian pathway from the fire hall parking area to the cemetery entrance, additional seating throughout the site, and the preservation of the existing beech tree, which is proposed to be added to the Abbotsford Protected Tree Register.

Currently, Aberdeen Cemetery is sold out of casket lots and has approximately 37 years of cremation lot sales remaining. To extend the cemetery’s longevity, the concept proposes infilling the existing internal roadway with new interment options once the cemetery capacity is reached. These options may include either additional casket lots or columbaria niches. Infilling the road with casket lots will extend the cemetery life by approximately one year (based on the sales numbers of all the cemeteries combined).

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The concept for Hazelwood Cemetery includes a range of proposed improvements aimed at enhancing the overall visitor experience and expanding the cemetery to accommodate additional interment capacity and service options.

Key upgrades in areas not suitable for burial include pollinator meadows to enhance the habitat value, a gathering space to accommodate celebrations of life or community events, and additional space for parking and operations material storage.

The cemetery expansion area in the northeast corner includes a mix of interment options, including traditional casket and cremation burials, columbaria, and green burial area. The southwest corner of the site includes a scattering and memorial boulder walk.

Hazelwood Cemetery has approximately one year of casket lot sales, three years of cremation lot sales, and 17 years of columbaria niche sales remaining. The expansion area will provide the cemetery with an additional 26 to 28 years of sales capacity (based on the current sales numbers at Hazelwood Cemetery).

To extend the cemetery’s longevity, the concept proposes infilling the existing internal roadway with new interment options once the cemetery capacity is reached. These options may include either additional casket lots or columbaria niches. Infilling the road with casket lots will extend the cemetery life by an additional 19 to 21 years.

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The concept for Mt. Lehman Cemetery includes a range of proposed improvements focused on enhancing  the overall visitor experience, maintaining the long-term integrity of the site, and planning for future interment needs.

Key upgrades include enhancements to the columbaria spaces with new planting beds that add seasonal interest and improve overall aesthetics. The scattering garden will be upgraded with additional plantings, soil improvements, and a memorial boulder with an epitaph, creating a meaningful focal point for commemoration. In addition, the western slope, particularly in the northwest corner, will require ongoing monitoring to safeguard stability and address any erosion concerns.

 Mt. Lehman Cemetery has approximately three years of casket lot sales and six years of cremation lot sales remaining. To extend the cemetery’s longevity, the concept proposes infilling the underutilized internal driveway with interment options once sections of the cemetery are full. Infilling the road with casket lots will extend the cemetery life by an additional two years (based on the current sales numbers at Mt. Lehman Cemetery).

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The concept for Musselwhite Cemetery includes a range of proposed improvements aimed at enhancing the overall visitor experience, improving the cemetery’s aesthetics, and planning for future interment needs.

Priorities include enhancing pedestrian entrances to create a stronger sense of arrival and emphasize the transition from public to sacred space. A number of pathways will be added to allow walking loops through the cemetery, as well as additional cemetery maps at the main entrances to improve wayfinding. In steep areas unsuitable for burial, pollinator meadow gardens are proposed to enhance ecological value and support biodiversity. Defined edges will help separate the meadows from adjacent lawn or burial areas and ensure they appear intentional and well maintained. Additional upgrades include replacing or upgrading the existing fencing and adding a planted buffer to improve boundary definition and visual appeal from the road.

A cremation garden and gathering space are proposed near the Marshall Road parking area to help extend the life of the cemetery. The concept plan also includes improvements to the parking lot and measures to formalize and screen the operations yard.

Musselwhite Cemetery has approximately eight years of casket lot sales and six years of cremation lot sales remaining. The development of a cremation garden with new columbaria niches would add an estimated 12 to 16 years of interment capacity.

It’s important to us that we hear from a diverse group of people and perspectives. The following questions help us determine how the feedback we receive represents the community.

Thank you!  We appreciate your input. Your feedback will help the Abbotsford Cemetery Strategy project team adjust and refine the proposed designs.