Hamilton Municipal Cemeteries - Business and Land Needs Study - Public Consultation

Hamilton Cemeteries Business and Land Needs Assessment Public Survey

The City of Hamilton is undertaking an update to the 2014 Business Strategy and Land Needs Assessment for Hamilton Municipal Cemeteries. This study will serve as a strategic roadmap to guide cemetery services, operations, and land needs over the next 30 years. It will evaluate progress made since 2014, assess current and emerging trends, and provide clear recommendations for the long-term sustainability, efficiency, and financial health of Hamilton's cemetery system.

Purpose

The City of Hamilton wants to hear from you! We are seeking community input to better understand your awareness of the cemetery system, burial and memorialization preferences, accessibility and cultural considerations, and the role of cemeteries as public spaces for ceremony, reflection, and environmental stewardship. We also want your ideas to help improve and support the long-term sustainability of Hamilton’s cemetery system.

Notice of Collection

The City of Hamilton collects information under authority of the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002, S.O. 2002, c. 33. Any personal information collected for the City of Hamilton Municipal Cemeteries Land and Business Needs Assessment will be used to identify and anticipate customer needs for our products and services. Information collected for this initiative may be stored on servers located in Canada and may be subject to Canadian laws. Questions about the collection of this personal information can be directed the Manager of Cemeteries, Public Works, 777 York Blvd, Hamilton, ON L8R 2A4, 905-973-3807, kara.bunn@hamilton.ca

What is your age?

Select option

What is your connection to Hamilton Municipal Cemeteries? Please choose all that apply.

I visit cemeteries for their park-like qualities: walking, sitting, enjoying the outdoors.

I participate in non-bereavement-related community events such as historical tours, compatible fitness activities, etc.

I have loved one(s) interred in a cemetery in Hamilton

I have pre-purchased interment rights in a cemetery in Hamilton

I am a researcher (historic, genealogical, other interests).

I work in the funeral industry.

Other (please specify)

Have you or your family made purchases or service arrangements with Hamilton Municipal Cemeteries?

Yes

Unsure

Which area are you most likely to select for a purchase of cemetery products/services for your end-of-life planning? (select one)

Select option

Do you live in this community now?

Yes

Are you more likely to select a cemetery that is:

Operated by the City of Hamilton

A privately operated cemetery

Operated by a religious organization

I am unsure who operates cemeteries

I have no preference at this time.

I plan to purchase a cemetery product or service outside of Hamilton

I will not be utilizing a cemetery product or service in my end-of-life arrangements.

I have not thought about this yet.

Hamilton Cemeteries have a range of burial, cremation, and memorialization options to suit the needs and preferences of individuals and families. Options include traditional casket burial lots, natural burial lots, cremation lots, above-ground columbaria niches, scattering rights, and memorial benches or trees. Which of the following would you consider (select all that apply):

traditional casket burial lot with an upright or flat monument

natural burial lot

cremation lot

columbaria niche

scattering area

burial lot that will allow my pets to be buried with me

a memorial bench or memorial tree, with remains scattered or buried elsewhere

Are you interested in incorporating any faith-based, cultural, or secular ceremonial practices into your end-of-life interment arrangements that you would like the City of Hamilton to accommodate?

Yes

Uncertain

Are there interment and memorialization options or services that are not currently offered at the Hamilton Municipal cemeteries that would be of interest to you or your family? Select all that apply.

Indoor Glass Niche: Columbaria niches made of glass that are located within a secure building.

Cremation Alternatives such as Natural Organic Reduction (Human Composting): a space in the cemetery that would accommodate soil produced by the newest disposition option, where remains are transformed to soil.

Memorial Walls: An inscription on a shared memorial wall or monument to commemorate a loved one, usually memorializing those interred elsewhere.

Ossuary: An above or below-ground vessel for communal and comingled cremated remains.

Mausoleum: An above-ground building used to house the caskets and/or cremation urns of individuals or families.

Services to support the care of a gravesite, facilitate seasonal adornments, or mark special events

10.

How should community members be encouraged to use Hamilton Cemeteries? Please select all that apply.

A memorial space for deceased loved ones

A community gathering or ceremonial space

A place for quiet contemplation and reflection

A park-like space for passive recreation such as walking, jogging, and picnicking

A historical or cultural landmark

Other (please specify)

11.

Which three features do you think the City of Hamilton should include as a part of future cemetery improvements? Please rank the TOP THREE (3), with 1 being the most important to you.

Expand the range of interment options at the cemeteries

Select

Enhance the overall aesthetics in the cemeteries

Select

Invest more into care and maintenance of the cemeteries

Select

Include additional seating and rest areas

Select

Develop additional walking paths

Select

Develop new ceremonial/gathering spaces

Select

12.

Do you have any other comments or suggestions regarding Hamilton Municipal Cemeteries?

Maximum 20,000 characters

0/20,000