Cemetery Bylaw updated

Posted on March 5, 2026 by Vauxhall Advance

By Nikki Jamieson
Vauxhall Advance
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

During their regular Feb. 17 meeting, Vauxhall town council updated their bylaw governing the control, regulations, operation, and maintenance of the town cemetery. Bylaw 1016-26, or the Cemetery Bylaw, upon passing would repeal the old Cemetery Bylaw 937-19.

Changes to the bylaw include:

• Adding definitions for Casket, Fee, Funeral Director and Urn.

• Removing the definition for Undertaker.

• Amending definitions for Urn, Niche and Grave Liner. Assistant CAO and Town manager Mindy Dunphy noted that the old definition for Grave Liner had been “a little confusing for people” so they tried to make it “more substantive”.

• Amending section 4.4 to include that the Town has the ability to cancel or suspend cemetery services and public access in the event of severe weather, road/ground conditions, public health measures, or when other extraordinary circumstances pose a risk to town employees.

• Changing the administration fee listed in section 5.

• Amending section 5.1H to read that all documents related to plot purchases and registration are protected under the Protect of Privacy Act and will not be distributed to any agent, commercial enterprise, or town employee.

• Amending section 5.2c to specify Alberta burial permits, and that should a death occur in another jurisdiction, a disposition document such as a burial or cremation certificate issued by the proper authority would need to be obtained.

• Add Funeral Director to section 5.2i.

• Replace Container with either Urn or Grave Liner in Section 5.2jii and iii. 

• Include in Section 5.2jiii that it is the responsibility of the Funeral Director or representative of the diseased to ensure that the urns and grave liners can be accommodated in the cremation plot. The Town would also be able to refuse to permit the cremation remains internment in the event they do not.

• Adding to section 5.2lii that cremated remains must be in an urn before being placed in the niche.

• Adding to section 5.3c that no town employees are required to participate in a disinterment; no commitment for the recovery of other materials, personal effects, or items for the plot; and the town is not liable for any injury or damage that may occur as a result.

• Adding to section 5.4b that is the responsibility of the monument applicant and supplier to confirm the correct location for installment.

• Adding metal to section 5.4ciii regarding appropriate types of materials that can be used for monuments.

• Removing section 5.4civ, which had stated that the town was no responsible for errors or the placement of monuments. Wording regarding the town not being responsible for theft or damage was added to section 5.4ei.

• Adding to section 5.4diii to state that monument installation will take place during the town’s working day; may be rescheduled due to staffing, weather or ground conditions; and that the Town has the ability to refuse installation or reject the monument is the requirements are not met.

• Adding that the town is not liable for the deterioration, loss of damage of flowers, hanging or staked glass orbs, and other items placed on the plot.

Council passed all three readings of Bylaw 1016-26.