Funeral and celebration of life celebrants in Kingston

What do Kingston's municipal cemeteries offer?

The City of Kingston manages six cemeteries, but only one is still active: Pine Grove Cemetery, 3645 Brewers Mills Road in Seeley's Bay. A plot there can hold one burial and up to three cremated remains, or up to four cremated remains, and costs $1,365.91 plus HST in 2026, care and maintenance included.

Under the City's cemetery by-law, burials take place on business days between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., with at least three business days' notice from the family or the funeral director. To arrange a burial, contact the Cemeteries Operator at 613-546-4291 ext. 1276 or cemeteries@cityofkingston.ca.

Before any burial or cremation, the funeral director gives the Statement of Death and the Medical Certificate of Death to the City's Division Registrar, a step needed for the burial permit.

Can you scatter ashes in Kingston?

Not in the City's cemeteries: the by-law does not allow scattering anywhere in them. Ontario allows scattering on unoccupied Crown land, including land covered by water, where no sign prohibits it; the Province gives provincial parks and the Great Lakes as examples. You may also scatter on private land with the owner's consent. For municipal land, such as a City park, the Province asks you to check with the municipality first.

Where can you hold a celebration of life in Kingston?

Kingston rents out rooms and halls at seven recreation locations, including community centres, and four spaces at City Hall, 216 Ontario Street. Memorial Hall, at City Hall, holds up to 150 people and has a sound system, microphones and a projector. City staff must be present for any City Hall rental, for at least 4 hours, at $40.09 an hour on weekdays until 10 p.m. You apply online through a MyKingston account; the Special Events Office is at 613-546-4291 ext. 1801.

Many City parks can also be rented, at $19.96 an hour for up to 99 people. Every rental requires a certificate of insurance with at least $5 million in liability coverage, sent with your request or within five days (facilitybooking@cityofkingston.ca, 613-546-4291 ext. 1800).

How can you remember someone in a Kingston park?

The City plants memorial trees in approved park areas, with a small sign. A tree costs $633.41 plus HST, and applications are due by July 1 for planting that fall. The spots at Lake Ontario Park, Elevator Bay, Breakwater Park and Navy Park are all taken.

The memorial bench program places a plaque on a bench in a public park, except Confederation Park, for $1,101.28 plus HST for 10 years. For both programs, you apply through MyKingston.

When is a celebrant a good fit?

When you want a ceremony that feels like the person, wherever it takes place. A celebrant from our local network comes to the place you choose in Kingston, 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 Kingston and the Province of Ontario. Rules and fees can change: confirm with the City before you plan.

Sources: cityofkingston.ca: cemeteries · cityofkingston.ca: cemetery bylaw · cityofkingston.ca: birth and death registrations · cityofkingston.ca: rentals · cityofkingston.ca: kitchens meeting rooms gymnasiums and halls · cityofkingston.ca: memorials and commemorations · ontario.ca: arrange funeral burial cremation alkaline hydrolysis or scattering