For families who cremate their loved ones, a dedicated site is coming to Metro Vancouver, designated specifically to honour the dead.
The B.C. Ministry of Attorney General announced it is creating the first-ever site for ash dispersal in B.C., and it will be located in Delta.
A first-of-its-kind ash-scattering site is coming to Delta, giving families and community members a dedicated place to honour their loved ones in accordance with their cultural, spiritual and funeral traditions.
“For years, people south of the Fraser, including many members of the South Asian community, have had to travel abroad or transport a loved one’s ashes overseas to carry out important funeral rites,” said Attorney General Niki Sharma.
“This much-needed culturally respectful space will provide families with a meaningful place close to home where they can gather, reflect and honour their loved ones according to their traditions.”
According to the ministry, the City of Delta is upgrading parts of the Fraser Viewpoint, which is located on Tilbury Island. The work is an enhancement of a public park, which will include a gathering place for the “respectful dispersal of created remains in the Fraser River.”
The ministry says the move is a response to a “longstanding community need” for a dedicated space for families to carry out cultural and faith-based funeral practices in a respectful, accessible, and publicly supported setting.
“This initiative responds to the needs of our community through the formal designation of a space for gathering and reflection along our waterfront, honouring the diverse cultural and faith traditions of our residents,” said George Harvie, mayor of Delta, in a statement.
“The City is proud to invest in enhancements and improved accessibility for this site, ensuring it becomes a welcoming and dignified place for families and community members for generations to come,” he adds.
Delta is contributing as much as $225,000 to the improvements. Delta’s investment will go towards improvements to facilitate safe access to the foreshore at the park. It currently features a reflective garden and seating area.
The Metro Vancouver site will be of particular importance to the South Asian community who wish to honour their dead loved ones.
“This project is of major significance for all British Columbians, and especially the broader South Asian community,” said Ranjit Hayer, president of Khalsa Diwan Society Vancouver, in the B.C. news release.
“People from all faiths will now have a dedicated gathering space to respectfully perform final rites for their loved one. I would like to thank Mayor Harvie and Attorney General Sharma on their commitment in bringing this project to life.”
The Province said it has published guidelines for other municipalities that want to establish ash-dispersal sites that ensure these sites are created in a “respectful and sustainable manner.”