Funeral and celebration of life celebrants in Cambridge

What do Cambridge's municipal cemeteries offer?

The City of Cambridge is a licensed cemetery operator with four active cemeteries: Parklawn, at 750 Fountain Street North; Mount View, at 80 Blenheim Road; and New Hope and St. Mary's, at 235 and 240 Cooper Street. The administration office is at Parklawn, open Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., by appointment only (519-740-4681 ext. 4299, cemeteries@cambridge.ca).

The City also rents a chapel for funeral services, at $125 for two hours and $63 for each additional hour under the 2026 tariff. Burials cost more on weekends, on holidays and after 4 p.m., and there are no interments on December 25 or January 1. The same tariff lists a memorial bench, with foundation and dedication plaque, at $4,000, and a memorial tree with a bronze plaque at $1,500. All cemetery prices are subject to HST.

Can you scatter ashes in Cambridge?

Yes. The province allows scattering on unoccupied Crown land, including land covered by water, where no signs or postings prohibit it, and on private property with the owner's consent, and the owner cannot charge a fee unless licensed as a cemetery operator. For municipal land, check local by-laws first. In Cambridge, the City offers scattering in the Parklawn Memorial Garden: $518 for one person, and $130 for each additional person scattered at the same time. A name can be inscribed on the garden's field stone for $679.

Where can you hold a celebration of life in Cambridge?

From May 4 to October 11, 2026, the City rents picnic areas in four parks. The largest is the Dolph shelter at Riverside Park, 49 King Street West, for up to 125 people; Soper Park, at 120 Shade Street, has a shelter for up to 80. Rentals run a full day, from 8:30 a.m. to 8:30 p.m.; only Riverside Park also offers half days. For City residents, the fee is $34.38 plus HST for up to 100 people. Insurance is required and can be bought from the City. There is no electricity at the picnic sites, alcohol is not permitted, and a tent of up to 10 by 10 feet is allowed if it is not staked. The Facility Bookings Team answers at rental@cambridge.ca or 548-558-0995.

How is a death registered in Cambridge?

The funeral director, or the person responsible, registers the death with the City Clerk's Division, which issues the burial permit. The completed forms are scanned and emailed to the Clerk's Division, with the originals sent to City Hall at 50 Dickson Street. Permits are usually issued the same or the next business day. An urgent permit after hours, on a weekend or on a statutory holiday comes with an additional charge.

When is a celebrant a good fit?

A celebrant is a good fit when you want a ceremony built around the person, wherever it takes place. A celebrant from our local network comes to the place you choose in Cambridge, whether a funeral home, cemetery, park, hall or home, and writes the ceremony around the person's life, religious or not. With Celebrance, the price is shown upfront, all-in, and if the celebrant becomes unavailable, we find a replacement.

Information checked on September 24, 2026 against official sources from the City of Cambridge. Rules and fees can change: confirm with the City before you plan.

Sources: cambridge.ca: cemeteries · cambridge.ca: picnics and mill race park · ontario.ca: arrange funeral burial cremation alkaline hydrolysis or scattering · thebao.ca: welcome to the bereavement authority of ontarios faq for consumers