Columbarium

Courtenay Civic Cemetery has several columbariums. A columbarium is a structure with small compartments called niches, used to hold urns with cremated remains.

Each columbarium is made of polished granite with black niche doors. A secure locking system helps prevent vandalism and unauthorized access.

Niche size and urn guidelines

Each niche can hold up to two urns.

Interior dimensions: 11.5" wide × 11.5" deep × 11.5" high
Front opening: 10.5" (urns may need to be tilted slightly to fit)

To help protect cremated remains from moisture, we recommend using a non-biodegradable urn. Although each niche has a moisture-reducing liner, condensation may still happen. 

Buying a niche

Residents and non-residents can purchase up to two niches per person.

When you buy a niche, you are buying the right to place cremated remains in that space permanently. You don't own the structure itself — columbariums are City property.

Niches can't be resold privately. However, you may:

• Transfer it to another person (a transfer fee applies).
• Sell it back to the City for the original purchase price, minus the care and maintenance fee.
• Use its value toward the cost of a burial or cremation plot.

Columbarium fees

Niche and service fees (note all fees are subject to applicable taxes)

Plaques and name scrolls

Memorials and decoration

• All niches use a bronze plaque in a standard design (ordered and installed by City staff).
• Porcelain portraits can be added (ordered and installed by City staff).
• Each niche bronze plaque includes a built-in bud vase for fresh or artificial flowers.

Please do not:

• Tape or glue items to the niche front.
• Hang items from the bud vase.
• Place objects at or near the columbarium.

Items placed outside permitted areas will be removed for safety and maintenance.

Available niches

You can refer to a specific niche number from the availability maps when making arrangements. Cemetery staff will confirm niche space availability with you.

Note: PDF maps are not accessible to screen readers. Contact us if you need help reviewing availability or would like the information in a different format.

• View D Section columbarium map [PDF/2.6MB]
• View G Section columbarium map [PDF/2.8MB]
• View photos of G Section columbarium [PDF/1.5MB]

Sold out: Dogwood, Alder, Cedar, Oak

Need help?

The cemetery team can help you with:

• Choosing a columbarium
• Understanding costs and availability
• Buying or transferring a niche
• Ordering memorial plaques or name scrolls
• Scheduling interments in a niche 
• Accessing maps in other formats