Monument and Foundation Restoration

Maintaining headstones is an important part of any cemetery's responsibilities; especially one that is a National Historic Site of Canada.  However, many don't realize that the Cemetery is to care for the monument's foundation - not the monument itself.  The cemetery may choose, at it's own expense using funds from the care & maintenance trust funds, to replace a troubled foundation or to lay the monument down so that it does not present a public health and safety hazard to staff or visitors.   As a heritage property designated under the Ontario Heritage Act, Cataraqui's methods for restoring foundations or monuments are consistent with the province's established methods for conservation.  The costs of replacing or repairing a damaged monument is the responsibility of the interment rights holder or the remaining family. 

Notice: Did you know that the provincial regulations state that care & maintenance fees for monument foundations, despite being only a mandatory fee since 1992, may be collected retroactively.   We suggest consulting with cemetery staff to determine if there are any fees that may need to be resolved prior to additional  interments, inscriptions, or restoration work.

Families wishing to restore a "family plot" or monument may contact us to receive a detailed estimate.  

It is important to note that Cataraqui is the exclusive provider of foundation installations or repairs to foundations and as such, we must  provide these services 'at the cemetery's cost',  as per provincial regulations.  The Cemetery does not profit from the installation of foundations. 

The heritage, historical, cultural and artistic value of the monuments and memorials found at Cataraqui Cemetery are important to individual families, to past loved ones that are memorialized and  the community we all share.  Families may contact us to learn how they may go about having us repair a leaning monument or a damaged foundation.

As we are a not for profit cemetery and a registered charity, we are always seeking assistance from families and businesses alike as donors and sponsors to help us with restoration projects.  If you see a monument that requires some attention, please let us know, so that we may inspect the issue and take appropriate steps. 

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