Nov
2010
Nov
For 57 years, Capital Memorial Gardens has been a fixture of Ottawa life. Tens of thousands of people from all faiths and backgrounds have found their final resting place there. You may have driven by the property at 3700 Prince of Wales Dr. (near Woodroffe Ave. in Barrhaven) and not even realized it to be a cemetery. With its 90-acres of rolling grass, water features and stately trees, it looks more like a golf course or botanical garden.
Capital Memorial has just opened the Garden of Paradise, a new section of their cemetery set aside specifically for the Muslim community. James Gregory, the Family Counsellor responsible, answers questions about this new service.
Why did Capital Memorial Gardens decide to open up a Muslim Section at this time?
Very simply, because there was a need. Before we opened our new Muslim section, there were only two burial choices for the Ottawa Muslim community: one in Carp and the other in Vanier. With over 100,000 Muslims now living in Ottawa, many in the central and southern parts of the city, we felt it was important to offer more choice and convenience. We want the Muslim community in Ottawa to know that they are welcome here.
What are the features and benefits of your new Muslim Section?
The Garden of Paradise was designed and established with the support of the Ottawa Muslim Association to ensure that Muslim tradition is respected. Plots are oriented towards Mecca; the highest and best-drained ground in the cemetery was chosen to provide for dry graves; affordable payment plans can be arranged with no interest. The Muslim section is separated from other areas by roads and hedges. Currently, there are 250 landscaped spaces available, with room for 1,000 more in the future. In addition, a portion of the Garden of Paradise has been set aside for baby burials.
What services do you offer the Muslim community that are not available at the other cemeteries?
Capital Memorial believes that if we have a Muslim section, then we have a commitment to support it in the Muslim tradition. At Capital Memorial, Muslim burials can take place every day of the year. During the week, burials can be done with as little as 4-hours' notice. Burials can be done on Saturdays, Sundays and holidays with 24-hours' notice (a surcharge will apply). For memorialization, families have their choice of upright granite monuments or flat bronze plaques. Full-size grave covers in granite and bronze (to discourage walking on graves) are also an option.
Can cemetery arrangements be made in advance?
Yes, in fact, we recommend it. Prices will never be more economical and the selection will never be better than it is right now. All it takes to reserve a plot is a small deposit, and an affordable payment plan can be set up to meet any family's budget. Prepayment of cemetery arrangements means that when a death occurs, a burial can take place quickly with no decision-making, added stress or financial burden for the family. Purchasing a group of plots in advance means that families can be together forever. As an additional benefit, when parents make arrangements in advance for themselves, our Family Security Plan automatically covers their children and grandchildren at no extra cost.
What is needed to make Muslim cemetery arrangements?
A plot and an opening/closing (digging and closing the grave) are required to bury a body. Some type of memorialization (upright granite monument or flat bronze plaque) is recommended to mark the grave.
How much do plots cost?
Plots in the Garden of Paradise start at $2,750. A deposit of $400 is all that is needed to reserve a plot.
What about funeral arrangements?
Most Muslims make their funeral arrangements directly with the Ottawa Mosque or Jami Omar. Capital Memorial Gardens has a new onsite Reception Centre which can also handle all funeral arrangements, should the family choose. The Reception Centre is next to the Garden of Paradise and rooms can be made available for prayer before the burial and reception following. As an alternative to local burial, our funeral services also include making all the arrangements for the burial of a loved one in their country of origin.
How can I get more information?
Talk to us in person. We are available to meet any time in your home or you can visit us at Capital Memorial Gardens. There is no charge for any of the planning services we offer, such as options, pricing, design assistance and planning tools like our Family Registry Estate Planner, Legal Will Kit, Executor's Handbook and Power of Attorney brochure. Our commitment is to provide whatever you need to make wise and informed decisions for yourself and your family.
To arrange for a tour of the Garden of Paradise or receive more information about Capital Memorial Gardens, contact James Gregory at 613-692-3588.
This article was produced exclusively for Muslim Link and should not be copied without prior permission from the site. For permission, please write to info@muslimlink.ca.
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