Losing a loved one often brings several important decisions. Among them, choosing a burial site holds a special significance. This place becomes a space for remembrance, reflection, and connection for future generations. Over time, it represents much more than a location: it becomes an anchor for memories, visits, and family history.
At Mount Royal Commemorative Services, several types of burial site are available across its three cemeteries: Mount Royal Cemetery, Belvedere Cemetery, and Des Trembles Cemetery. Each location offers its own unique features, setting, and options to meet the needs, beliefs, and wishes of every family.
The different types of burial site
Today, several options are available when it comes to burial. Some people prefer a traditional ground burial, while others choose a crypt or a columbarium following cremation.
Among the main options available in our cemeteries are:
- Ground burial plots
- Family plots
- Crypts
- Indoor columbariums
- Outdoor niches
- Glass-front or marble niches
Each option offers its own advantages, aesthetic appeal, and unique way of honouring the memory of loved ones.
Ground burial: what you need to know
Ground burial remains a deeply rooted practice in many family and cultural traditions. It involves placing the casket in a designated burial plot within a cemetery, often accompanied by a monument, headstone, and floral arrangements.
For many families, this type of burial represents a strong symbol of stability and continuity. The site becomes a physical place where loved ones can return to reflect, leave flowers, mark anniversaries, or simply spend a quiet moment in remembrance.
Mount Royal Cemetery, Belvedere Cemetery, and Des Trembles Cemetery offer a variety of burial sections designed to accommodate the preferences and wishes of each family.
Some burial plots can also accommodate multiple members of the same family, creating an intergenerational space that endures through time.
Crypts: how they work and their benefits
Crypts are another form of permanent burial. Unlike ground burial, they are located within an indoor or outdoor mausoleum. The casket is placed in a secure, enclosed space designed to provide a peaceful environment that remains accessible year-round.
Crypts are available at Mount Royal Cemetery and Belvedere Cemetery.
Many families appreciate this option for a variety of reasons:
- Year-round accessibility
- A calm and protected environment
- An indoor space conducive to reflection and remembrance
- The possibility of bringing multiple family members together within the same area
- Simplified maintenance and upkeep
Mausoleums often provide a serene, bright, and contemplative atmosphere. Some families also appreciate the comfort of an indoor setting, which makes visits easier, particularly during Québec’s winter months.
Please note that crypts are not available at Des Trembles Cemetery.
Columbariums: options and features
With the growing popularity of cremation, columbariums now play an important role in burial choices. A columbarium is a structure made up of niches designed to hold funeral urns.
Columbariums can be located inside a mausoleum or in outdoor areas specially designed for reflection and remembrance.
This option provides a permanent place of memory while offering a wide variety of formats and styles. Some niches can hold multiple urns, allowing families to remain together in the same place.
Mount Royal Cemetery, Belvedere Cemetery, and Des Trembles Cemetery offer different columbarium options adapted to the preferences and budgets of each family.
Outdoor vs. indoor niches
Lorsqu’une famille choisit un columbarium, plusieurs types de niches peuvent être envisagés.
Indoor niches
Indoor niches are typically located within a mausoleum or an enclosed space that is accessible year-round. They provide a calm, climate-controlled environment protected from the elements.
Some families particularly appreciate:
- The comfort of visiting in any season
- The peaceful atmosphere of the surroundings
- The privacy of reflection and remembrance
- Protection from weather conditions
Outdoor niches
Les niches extérieures sont aménagées à même les jardins et les espaces du cimetière. Elles permettent un contact direct avec la nature et les saisons.
Pour plusieurs personnes, cette proximité avec les arbres, la lumière naturelle et les paysages crée une expérience de recueillement différente, plus ouverte et apaisante.
Marble niche or glass-front niche?
Some niches are enclosed with a marble front, while others feature a glass-front design.
Glass-front niches allow families to display meaningful objects, photographs, or small personal mementos. They offer a more personalized and intimate approach to remembrance.
Marble niches, on the other hand, are often chosen for their timeless and understated elegance.
The choice generally depends on personal preferences, how the family wishes to honour the memory of their loved one, and the atmosphere they hope to create.
Family plots: an intergenerational legacy
Family plots hold an important place in many Québec families. They allow multiple generations to be brought together in a shared place of remembrance.
Beyond their practical purpose, these spaces often become meaningful family landmarks. They tell a story, foster a sense of belonging, and create a lasting connection between generations.
For many people, knowing that family members will rest together brings a sense of peace and continuity.
Family plots also help preserve a lasting memorial space that can be visited by children, grandchildren, and future generations.
How do you choose a permanent resting place?
Choosing a burial place is a deeply personal decision. There is no “right” or “wrong” choice—only a place that reflects the values, needs, and circumstances of each family.
Some questions that may help guide the decision include:
- Would you prefer an indoor or outdoor resting place?
- Is year-round accessibility important to you?
- Would you like multiple family members to be brought together in the same location?
- Do you prefer a more traditional or a more contemporary option?
- Is it important for the site to be easily accessible for loved ones?
Taking the time to visit different locations can also help you experience the atmosphere of each space and gain a better understanding of the options available.
You can choose your future resting place today based on your wishes and values. Learn more about prearranged funeral services.
Why do we need a physical place to remember?
In an era where so much of our lives has become digital and intangible, physical places of remembrance continue to hold profound meaning.
A burial place provides a tangible space to grieve, honour memories, and maintain a connection with those who have passed away. It offers an opportunity to pause, reflect, and step away from the pace of everyday life.
For many families, simply being able to visit a specific place brings comfort. Leaving flowers, walking through the cemetery, or spending time in reflection at a niche or headstone becomes a meaningful way to keep memories alive.
Memory often deserves a place that is stable, lasting, and peaceful. A place that endures through time and remains present for those who remain.
At Mount Royal Cemetery, Belvedere Cemetery, and Des Trembles Cemetery, every space has been thoughtfully designed to provide families with a respectful and serene environment, adapted to different ways of honouring the memory of loved ones.
