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  1. Where is the Cemetery located?

    2. It is located at 4305 Halifax Street, Burnaby, B. C. V5C 3X4. Telephone: (604)294-4143 Toll free: 1-877-290-4144,
    Fax: (604)294-4163. Map of Location.

  2. Who may use the Cemetery?

    3. The Constitution states "The purposes of the Society are to provide, uphold and maintain a Cemetery in the City of Burnaby, British Columbia, incorporating a beautifully secluded park-like resting place for Freemasons of the Grand Jurisdiction of British Columbia & Yukon and for those other Brethren living in British Columbia but in good standing in any other Grand Lodge Jurisdiction, as well as their family".

  3. May the wife and children of a Freemason be interred in the Cemetery?

    4. Yes, see the Constitution, Answer No. 2 above.

  4. May a Freemason residing in British Columbia but not a member of the Grand Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia & Yukon be interred in the Cemetery?

    5. Yes, see the Constitution, Answer No. 2 above.

  5. Who are the members of the Masonic Cemetery Association of British Columbia?

    6. The members of the Association shall be the participating Masonic Lodges located in the Lower Mainland area of British Columbia which have been instituted and constituted by, and which are in good standing with the Grand Lodge of Ancient Free and Accepted Masons of British Columbia & Yukon (hereinafter called the "Grand Lodge") Bylaws, P.2, Section 3

  6. Who runs the Masonic Cemetery Association of British Columbia?

    7. The Cemetery Association is under the Directors who act within the guidelines of the Societies Act of of British Columbia and the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act of British Columbia, and the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Act of British Columbia. The Directors may, at their discretion, appoint the Secretary-Manager to conduct the aforesaid business in the manner they so direct. Bylaws, P2, Section 29. The present organization is as follows: Board of Directors, Chairman, Secretary-Manager, and Employees.

  7. When is the Annual General Meeting of the Association held?

    8. An Annual General Meeting shall be held once in every year in the month of April as such hour and place as may be determined by the Directors. Bylaws, P4, Section 8

  8. Is notice given of the Annual General Meeting?

    9. Yes, not less than fourteen (14) days notice is given.

  9. Which Lodges many send delegates to the Annual General Meeting?

    10. All the lodges from Powell River to Hope may send delegates.

  10. How many Directors are on the Board?

    11. Six (6) including the President and Vice President.

  11. How long is the term of each Director?

    12. Two (2) Directors shall be elected annually for a term of three (3) years.

  12. How many employees are at the Cemetery?

    13. Four (4) namely, the Secretary-Manager and three (3) groundsmen.

  13. When is Cemetery open for business?

    14. The office (294-4143) is open daily Monday to Friday, 8:45 AM to 3:30 PM The main gates are closed at 3:30 PM on weekdays and are closed on weekends. The gates at 4305 Halifax Street are always open.

  14. May interment rights be purchased before they are needed?

    15. Yes, on full payment a certificate of interment right is issued to the qualified purchaser of an interment right or interment rights.

  15. What is the difference between a plot and an interment right?

    16. A plot indicates a specified area in the Cemetery. When there is only one (1) interment right in a plot, the space is the same. When there is more than one (1) interment right in a plot, the term "interment right" refers to part of the plot.

  16. What is the cost of interment rights and/or interment?

    17. See the latest price list available from the Cemetery office.

  17. May terms for payment be discussed?

    18. "Terms" though normally on a cash basis, may be discussed with the Secretary-Manager. Regulations P16, Sect. 14.

  18. Does the Cemetery arrange funeral services?

    19. No, these are normally arranged through an undertaker.

  19. Does the Cemetery sell grave markers?

    20. No, these may be purchased through a monument or memorial Company. Names are available from the Cemetery office.

  20. What is the relationship of the Masonic Cemetery Association of British Columbia and the Grand Lodge A. F. & A. M. of British Columbia & Yukon?

    21. There is no formal relationship. This is explained in a quotation from the History of Grand Lodge of British Columbia, A. F. & A. M., 1871-1890, Page 272:

    Some questions arose to the standing of the Masonic Cemetery at Vancouver and its connection with the fraternity. At the Annual Communication held in Vancouver on June 28, 1928, an account was given of the origin, progress and position of the Cemetery, but the report for the year does not reproduce the statements made on that occasion. However, in that year, the Grand Master, in his address, made the position clear. It is not a commercial enterprise it is owned, controlled and operated by an elected Board of Executives. The privilege of burial in the consecrated Masonic Cemetery is open to all members of the Craft and their families. By a system of perpetual care, the Board guarantees that the graves and surroundings will always be in keeping with the traditions of the fraternity. That the Cemetery had no connection with Grand Lodge is made quite clear in a statement made by the Reviewer on Foreign Correspondence for 1930 dealing with the Reviewer for Illinois for 1929, who spoke of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia maintaining a most excellent cemetery, when the Reviewer corrected him by stating that the Grand Lodge of British Columbia maintained no cemetery of any description. The one in question is a cemetery maintained by Freemasons for Freemasons, and only that.

  21. Is there a Perpetual Care Fund?

    22. Yes, it is in the care of Computershare Trust Services. The Directors have input relative to the reinvestment of funds. The earnings from the fund are deposited in the Masonic Cemetery Association accounts.

  22. Does the Perpetual Care Fund increase?

    23. Yes, 20% of all grave sales and $ 10.00 from the installment of each new marker are added to the Fund. Also, gifts for perpetual care are forwarded to the Fund.

  23. Do fees charged by the Association cover all Cemetery expenses?

    24. No, revenues generated from investments in the Perpetual Care Fund cover approximately 75% of the expenses incurred in the operation of the Cemetery.

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