Perpetual Flower Program Update

A Message from the Board of Directors of Lakefield Cemetery

Lakefield Cemetery is committed to providing a beautiful, serene, and financially sustainable resting place for our community. To ensure the long-term health of our grounds, the Board of Directors has authorized a structured transition of our Perpetual Flower Program.

Why is the program changing?

For many years, this discretionary fund has provided annual floral pots for specific graves. However, the rising costs of professional horticulture and the administrative complexity of managing individual perpetual endowments now exceed the interest generated by the fund.

To honour our existing commitments while adapting to modern maintenance standards, the Board has approved a managed six-year depletion of this specific fund.

Your Current Service is Guaranteed

If you currently have an active perpetual flower endowment, your service is guaranteed to continue for the next six (6) years, through the end of the 2031 season. No immediate action is required to maintain this service.

Your Options

We recognize that these floral tributes are a deeply personal tradition. As we move through this transition, the original purchaser (or their legal representative) may choose one of the following four paths:

Option 1: The 6-Year Sunset (No Action Required)

We will continue to place a floral pot on the designated grave annually through 2031. After the 2031 season, the fund will be fully depleted and the service will conclude.

Option 2: Immediate Refund

The original purchaser may request a full refund of the initial purchase amount (the principal). Upon issuance of the refund, the cemetery’s obligation to provide flowers ends immediately.

Option 3: 10 or 20-Year Service Extension

For those who wish to ensure tributes continue beyond 2031, we offer a one-time “Top-Up” payment to convert the account into a fixed-term service:

• 10-Year Extension: Service guaranteed through 2036.

• 20-Year Extension: Service guaranteed through 2046.

How to Update Your Account

If you wish to choose a Refund or an Extension (Options 2 or 3), please follow these steps:

1. Download the Election Form: Flower Program Election Form
2. Submit Your Choice: Drop off, email or mail the completed form to our office.
3. Deadline: All requests for refunds or extensions must be received by December 31, 2027.

If no form is received by the deadline, your account will automatically proceed under the 6-year sunset (Option 1).

Frequently Asked Questions

Does this affect the Care and Maintenance of my plot? No. This change applies only to the specific “Flower Pot” program. The Care and Maintenance Trust Fund, which pays for mowing, seeding, and general cemetery upkeep, is a separate, government-regulated fund that remains fully protected and perpetual.

Does this affect the Annual or 10 or 20 Year Endowment pots? No. This change applies only to the specific  “Perpetual” program. The Annual and 10 or 20 year endowment programs are  unaffected by this change and will continue to be honoured.

Can I still bring my own flowers after 2031? Absolutely. Families are always welcome to place tributes in accordance with our standard Cemetery By Laws.

What if I don’t have the original paperwork? Please contact our office at 705-652-3252. Our staff can look up your plot records and confirm the status of your endowment.