Whistler Cemetery
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The municipality offers several options for memorialization and operates the Whistler cemetery. The following interment options are available at the cemetery:
- Full, in-ground burial
- In-ground burial of cremated remains (cremains)
- Inurnment of cremains in a columbaria wall
- Ash scattering along the Forest Trail
The following memorialization options are available:
- Boardwalks or trails
- Drinking fountains, playground equipment, other park features
- Public art project sponsorship
- Plaque on Memory Wall
Estimated donation amounts for each memorialization option are available from municipal hall.
Whistler Cemetery
The Whistler cemetery is located on Alta Lake Road approximately 800 metres north of Rainbow Park. Visitors are welcome but please respect this special place.
It is managed by the Legislative Services division, and is operated by the Resort Experience department. It is governed by municipal bylaws and provincial law. For information on the cemetery, or to purchase an interment space, please call municipal hall at (604) 932-5535 or pick up an information package from the hall at 4325 Blackcomb Way.
To report a problem or damage to the cemetery, please call parks planning at (604) 935-8180.
To purchase an interment permit or arrange a service, you can arrange a meeting with staff in the Legislative Services Department at municipal hall by calling 604-932-5535. Staff will provide a plot plan that will indicate the grave spaces that are available for purchase and will also be able to advise you about the required license, fees and service procedures.
Information packages with plot location plans are available at municipal hall the reception desk. Plot plans and further details on cemetery and interment procedures are contained in Whistler's Cemetery Regulation Bylaw No. 1788, 2006.
Frequently Asked Questions
What interment options does Whistler offer?
The 3.27 acre (1.324 hectare) Whistler Cemetery offers the following interment options:
- In-ground burial
- In-ground burial of cremated remains
- Inurnment of cremated remains within an urn in a columbarium wall
- Scattering Garden for the scattering of cremated remains which are not contained within a receptacle
What memorialization options do I have other than grave spaces?
The following memorialization options are available:
- Boardwalks or trails
- Tree or groves of trees
- Drinking fountains, playground equipment, other park features
- Public art project sponsorship
- Plaque on Memory Wall
Estimated donation amounts for each memorialization option are available from municipal hall.
How do I obtain a plot in the Whistler Cemetery?
We recommend the following steps:
- Obtain a Plot Plan from municipal hall. The Plot Plan will indicate those plots available for purchase.
- Visit the cemetery and locate the plot you wish to purchase.
- Apply for a Cemetery License and make payment of fees at municipal hall
Your plot will be reserved for you and you will be given copies of the license for your personal files. The following information is available from municipal hall:
- Cemetery Licenses and Interment Permits issued by the municipality
- Plot Plans: layout of cemetery plots and service
- Fee Schedule for cemetery services
How much notice do I need to give for a burial or interment of ashes?
Prior to any interment, the municipality requires the following notice:
- For an in ground burials and in-ground burials of cremated remains, a minimum of five working days notice
- For above-ground interment of cremated remains in a columbarium niche a minimum of two working days notice
- For cremated remains to be scattered in the Scattering Garden a minimum of two working days notice
Note: In accordance with the cemetery regulation bylaw, there are additional fees for all interments performed on Saturdays, Sundays and Statutory holidays.
What are the maximum sizes of coffins, caskets, urns and other containers for interment?
- In-Ground Burial Plot - Adult (71 cm (28 in.) wide x 213 cm (84 in.) long x 58.5 cm (23 in.) high)
- In-Ground Burial - Infant (up to two (2) years of age (30 cm (12 in.) wide x 71 cm (28 in.) long x 30 cm (12 in.) high)
- In-Ground Burial – Cremated Remains (20.4 cm (8 in.) wide x 20.4 cm (8 in.) high x25.4 cm (10 in.) deep)
- Columbarium Niche (25.4 cm (10 in.) wide x 25.4 cm (10 in.) high x 25.4 cm (10 in.) deep)
What is involved in the interment process?
For interment in the cemetery you must:
- Choose a grave space
- Pay all required fees to municipal hall
- Obtain a Cemetery License from municipal hall
- Provide a copy of the Death Certificate or Certificate of Cremation to municipal hall
- Make arrangements with the municipality for the date and time of the funeral
- Obtain an Interment Permit from municipal hall
- Provide a copy of the written authorization from the person who has the right to control the disposition of the human remains to municipal hall
- Provide memorial marker information, as indicated in the cemetery regulation bylaw, to municipal hall
What type and size of memorial marker is permitted in the cemetery?
All memorial markers are to be inlaid in the ground and no upright markers are permitted. The cemetery regulation bylaw provides maximum sizes and the fees associated with having a memorial marker installed on a grave space.
May I put flowers on a grave?
Cut flowers, wreaths and floral offerings may be placed on grave spaces, but may be removed by the caretaker when their condition is considered to be detrimental to the beauty of the cemetery.
Contact Information
Please contact the Legal Services Coordinator for further information: lschimek@whistler.ca, 604-935-8110, Fax 604-935-8109.
The cemetery is located at:
5801 Alta Lake Road
Whistler, B.C.
V0N 1B5
