Cremation services in Peterborough, Ontario | Highland Park Funeral Centre
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Peterborough Cremation Service

In 1976, Highland Park Crematorium, the first crematorium between Toronto and Ottawa, was established to serve the region's needs.  

Highland Park Crematorium, located within Highland Park Cemetery, continues to provide cremation service for the families we serve, plus for many funeral homes in the Peterborough and Kawartha region. 

With this on-site crematorium, we offer the only full service funeral, cremation and cemetery service within the City and County of Peterborough. Families selecting cremation service, with interment at one of our cemeteries, are eligible for reduced fees. 

Despite the growing popularity of cremation, many questions still remain.  Below are a few of the common questions we have answered over the years.  


Frequent Questions

What is the Cremation Process?

The deceased is enclosed in an appropriate casket or container and placed in the cremation chamber where through heat and evaporation the body is reduced to its basic elements, which are referred to as cremated remains. These remains should not be referred to as ashes since cremated remains have neither the appearance nor the chemical properties of ash, they are in fact bone fragments. After the cremation is completed, the cremated remains are placed in a pre-selected urn suitable for final placement in a niche or burial lot.

Required by the Ontario law, the human remains must be enclosed in a ridged combustible container. This container or casket must be strong enough to assure the health and safety of the funeral directors and the crematorium staff. The container must meet reasonable standards of respect and dignity.

Yes. The Little Lake Cemetery Company offers many options for those who prefer cremation. The cremated body can be interred in the ground or entombed in specially designed niches within a columbarium.

One option is to purchase a grave which would allow for interment of a casket, as well as an urn containing cremated remains.

Both types of services can be simple or multifaceted to best serve the needs of the family. Quite often a memorial service is held after cremation has occurred and generally the family will gather at a convenient time for committal, or final placement of the cremated remains. However, a family has many choices available to them, such as a traditional funeral service with visitation and a service prior to cremation or just a visitation or a graveside service.

A final resting place for cremated remains can be provided in several ways. The urn may be placed in a columbarium, a structure comprised of several recessed compartments called niches. All outdoor niches are enclosed with solid granite shutters, the indoor niches are enclosed with a glass or bronze front. Each niche is memorialized with the name and dates of the deceased. Another option is the use of a traditional grave space, this allows for the possibility of more than two burials in one location, a common choice when one spouse chooses cremation and the other traditional casket burial. Also available are smaller lots allowing for the ground burial of two urns and a small flush marker memorial.

Yes, scattering can occur on most crown lands, and on private property where the owners give express permission.  However, it is strongly recommended that families conduct due diligence in advance on both how best to scatter (with consideration on weather condition, accessibility, and suitability of placement) and on the legal barriers (such as municipal bylaws and proposed property development) to ensure there is no regrets to this permanent method of placement.   Once done, it can not be undone.

Yes, in fact this can be an excellent alternative to full scattering.  Fulfilling both the deceased wishes for scattering at a place of "personal connection", and having a permanent perpetual resting spot where memorialization can occur can be solution that satisfies the needs of all.   

Yes. You may bring a cremation container on the plane with you if certain conditions are met.  The rules changed as of July 26, 2013.   Urns may be part of carry-on luggage, but will now be subject to xray security procedures.  For full information on the regulations, visit www.catsa.gc.ca or call 1-800 0-Canada, or mention your needs to our staff for further information.   
Certainly, and for some families, this will assist them in the grieving process.   We do recommend taking the time, while the family is gathered, to consider where the final resting place will be.   Having a quiet place to visit, where family and friends can go during times of need, on anniversaries, or days of significance, to pay their respect, remember and reflect is important as well.  

Please do not hesitate to call or visit our office at 2510 Bensfort Road to discuss any additional questions you may have.  
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