Cemeteries

Pioneer Cemetery

Pioneer Cemetery is only for persons residing in the Cowichan Valley prior to 1900 and their direct blood descendants. It is located at the end of Pioneer Rd, off Herd Rd.

Mountain View Cemetery

Mountain View Cemetery was founded by the Methodist Church in 1878. It was transferred to the United Church in 1926 and then became the property of the Municipality in 1962. This 14-acre cemetery is located at 6493 Somenos Road (the corner of Drinkwater Rd and Somenos Rd). It has beautiful, expansive views of Mt. Prevost and Mt. Sicker, along with many other surrounding mountains.

North Cowichan strives to maintain our cemetery to create a peaceful resting place for your loved ones. We have established the newest section as a lawn cemetery, where the grounds are enhanced to surround burial places with decorative trees, shrubs, and natural scenery. Beautiful memorial trees and benches add to the serene, quiet atmosphere – a special place for families to visit, reflect, and cherish memories.

Cemetery map and interment search

The Cemetery Map will show blocks and plots and of loved ones that were laid to rest. 

Grave space (plots)

Our cemetery features full sized, in-ground burial plots. For cremation burials, we offer marble columbarium niches and in-ground burial plots.

• Payment in full must be received before registering the right to reserve or occupy a plot.
• To secure side-by-side plots, both plots must be purchased at the same time.
• We will allow up to 5 interments in any one full sized plot; no more than 1 to be a casket burial.
• We will need permission (in the form of a letter) from family to place cremated remains on someone else’s plot.

Interments

We require 48 hours advance notice for any work to be done at the cemetery. Guidelines are that interments may be scheduled between 9am and 1pm for full burials or 9am and 3pm for cremation burials. Overtime charges will apply after 4:30pm on weekdays and at any time on Saturdays or Sundays. We do not have services on statutory holidays.

*A copy of a Burial Permit or Death Certificate must be provided prior to any burial.

Liners

A fiberglass liner is required in the new section of the cemetery. This is because the ground can become waterlogged and the ground will sink. The liner prevents this.

Headstones

All grave markers or memorials must be of the tablet variety made of stone or bronze. Bronze memorials must have a three-inch thick concrete or stone base, and all memorials, whether of stone or bronze, must conform to the following specifications:

Tribute trees/benches

We offer a variety of trees and benches to honor your family.

Please make an appointment with one of our caretakers to decide the best location to place your tree or bench.  The Municipality will maintain the tree/bench for 10 years from the date of installation.  Application Form (PDF)

Trees

• Price includes the tree, a bronze plaque with pink granite base, and installation labour.
• Work with caretaker to determine the best type of tree.

Benches

• Price includes the bench and installation labour.
• Plaque is not included and must be purchased separately through the municipality.

Pricing

We have 2-tier pricing for residents/non-residents of North Cowichan. All prices include the contribution to the perpetual care fund. Please add GST. 

View the cemetery brochure for all prices.

Veterans’ section

Mountain View Cemetery has a special section set aside as a final resting place for those who served in the military and their spouse/partner.

We require a signed letter from the legion (PDF) before anyone is interred in the designated Veterans’ section.

Decorations and flowers

The Cemeteries Bylaw outlines regulations around flowers and other decorations.

• Fresh cut flowers, wreaths, and floral offerings can be placed on graves from March 1 - September 30 each year.  These items may be removed by the caretaker and disposed of when their condition is considered to be detrimental to the appearance, beauty or maintenance of the cemetery.
• Artificial flowers or plastic wreaths are permitted between October 1 and February 28 each year.  After these dates, they will be removed and placed in the general pick-up area (for a maximum of 30 days).
• The following items are not permitted: glass of any kind, personal mementos, photos, decorative vases, candles, landscape rock, borders, fencing, plant hooks, plants and plantings. This is for the safety of the public and grounds maintenance crews, as well as the appearance of the cemetery.  Unauthorized items placed at gravesites will be removed without notice and placed in the general pick-up area (for a maximum of 30 days). 

Cemetery hours

Cemetery gates are open 7 days a week. Visitation is from dawn to dusk.

Contact Information

cemetery@northcowichan.ca
250-746-3106