Canon H-4: GRAVEYARDS

management of graveyards:

1. a) All graveyards belonging to the Church shall be managed by the incumbent and churchwardens of the parish to which they belong.

b) No one shall have the right to make selections of a lot, to prepare a grave, or in any way to make use of or interfere with the graveyard without the approval and authority of the incumbent and churchwardens.

c) No one shall have the right to officiate at a funeral within a parish without the consent of the incumbent.

duties of vestries:

2. The vestry of every parish shall:

(a) have every graveyard belonging to the church within its jurisdiction surveyed or divided into lots and graves; and

(b) have prepared a plan showing the location and size of the lots and graves; and

(c) sell or assign the lots and graves at a price determined by them; and

(d) make regulations for the management of the property.

duties of incumbent and churchwardens:

3. The incumbent and churchwardens shall:

(a) keep the property in good order, and protect it by proper fencing and care from invasion, injury, and desecration; and

(b) collect all money due on account of lots sold and disburse it for the maintenance of fences and grounds.

perpetual care funds:

4. a) Every parish owning a graveyard shall set up a Perpetual Care Fund for the maintenance of the graveyard, as required by the Ontario Cemeteries Act. (Amended 1993).

role of Regional Dean:

b) The Regional Dean in each deanery shall have supervision of such graveyards and report and advise on necessary expenditures for maintenance. (Amended 1956, 1959).

(Adopted 1909. Confirmed 1914)

[formerly Canon 20]

©2001 Diocese of Algoma