Sunnyside Cemetery Master Plan

A lawn cemetery with autumn leafed trees, headstones, and timber fencing.

Project background

The City of Surrey is developing a master plan for the expansion of the Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery (14850 - 28 Avenue).

The City operates three municipal cemeteries. However, all three are reaching capacity. Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery is the only cemetery with available area for expansion. To ensure the City can continue to provide this important service to the community, a master plan is being developed to define how best to undertake the expansion works for Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery.

Through the Sunnyside Cemetery Master Plan, the City aims to:

  • Increase cemetery capacity while being sensitive to the existing forest on the property.
  • Offer new and diverse interment options for the community.
  • Ensure expansion adheres to archaeological and environmental regulations.
  • Continue to protect the Semiahmoo Trail, which runs through the property, and other important site features.

Current project phase

The project is in the early stages of site analysis and information gathering. This includes obtaining arborist and environmental assessments of the property. This phase also includes reaching out to the public for feedback and information sharing prior to working on master plan designs.

Engagement opportunities

Give your input to shape the master plan:

  • Public survey: Opens November 14, 2024 and closes December 5, 2024. The survey will be linked on this page.
  • Open house: November 20, 2024 at the South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre (14601 - 20 Ave) in the Turnbull Gallery, 5-8pm

Check back for more engagement opportunities as the project progresses.

Other City cemeteries and cemetery services

Project background

The City of Surrey is developing a master plan for the expansion of the Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery (14850 - 28 Avenue).

The City operates three municipal cemeteries. However, all three are reaching capacity. Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery is the only cemetery with available area for expansion. To ensure the City can continue to provide this important service to the community, a master plan is being developed to define how best to undertake the expansion works for Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery.

Through the Sunnyside Cemetery Master Plan, the City aims to:

  • Increase cemetery capacity while being sensitive to the existing forest on the property.
  • Offer new and diverse interment options for the community.
  • Ensure expansion adheres to archaeological and environmental regulations.
  • Continue to protect the Semiahmoo Trail, which runs through the property, and other important site features.

Current project phase

The project is in the early stages of site analysis and information gathering. This includes obtaining arborist and environmental assessments of the property. This phase also includes reaching out to the public for feedback and information sharing prior to working on master plan designs.

Engagement opportunities

Give your input to shape the master plan:

  • Public survey: Opens November 14, 2024 and closes December 5, 2024. The survey will be linked on this page.
  • Open house: November 20, 2024 at the South Surrey Recreation & Arts Centre (14601 - 20 Ave) in the Turnbull Gallery, 5-8pm

Check back for more engagement opportunities as the project progresses.

Other City cemeteries and cemetery services

Have questions about the project?

Ask away and we will get back to you as soon as possible.

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  • Has the city considered human composting as an interment option? Also, would the city consider banning permanent grave markers in favour of ones that last say 20 to 50 years? Cutting down forests and planting grass on perpetually dedicated land to satisfy practices that are becoming archaic should be made prohibitively expensive.

    Concerned with Land Use asked 19 days ago

    The City is not considering removing or reducing existing cemetery service offerings through this plan but will seek to provide a wider range of interment options that could be considered less permanent than traditional in-ground burial.

     Green burials, which is in-ground interment in a biodegradable casket without embalming, grave liners, or vaults, is being considered as a service offering in the master plan. Typically, green burials involve minimal grave markings/memorialization and promotes habitat restoration on the burial lands. Locations for green burials will be considered as part of this project.

     Terramation, which is the transformation of human remains into soil at a specialized funeral facility, is currently pending government approval. However, consideration for a terramation garden, an area to receive soil remains from the terramation process, is being reviewed as a potential servicing offering in the longer term for the cemetery.

  • In particular what does it have to do with the Semiahmoo?

    Jim asked 21 days ago

    The Semiahmoo Trail is a heritage route through South Surrey. Today, it is used as a commuting route and as a recreational trail for walking, running, cycling, and enjoying nature. More information about the trail is available on Semiahmoo Trail | City of Surrey.

    A section of the Semiahmoo Trail runs through Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery. The design will aim to protect the heritage value and character of this important public amenity and will adhere to the Semiahmoo Trail Design Standards.

  • How big is this space going to be is the room for any food stand ?

    Mr chad asked 20 days ago

    The total area of Sunnyside Lawn Cemetery is 29-acres, some areas have been developed, others are forested. This master plan will review the extent of future developable areas and identify areas for environmental protection.

    Our cemeteries do not offer food or coffee services.

  • Will any trees be cut down? What measures are being taken to preserve the original topography and any wildlife which may be affected? Will native plants be used vs lawns which need watering?

    Nicole asked 21 days ago

    The project is currently in the early stage of site analysis, which includes arborist and environmental assessments of the property.

    These assessments will help guide decisions and designs on where expansion can occur while being sensitive to the overall forest and wildlife. This assessment work is currently underway, and no design decisions for the site have been made at this stage. Therefore, the amount of tree removal and impact to wildlife has not yet been determined.

    Plant selection and maintenance will be reviewed and considered as the master plan progresses.

    wildlife,plant,tree
    wildlife plant tree
Page last updated: 07 Nov 2024, 04:19 PM