Final Arrangements

JUNE 2014 • PAGE 4 a r r a n g e m e n t s Cathedralhistoricalcemetery/CimetièrehistoriquedelaCathédrale 190avedelaCathédrale Columbarium:536Niches Saint-BonifaceCemetery/CimetièredeSaint-Boniface Saint-BonifaceCemetery/CimetièredeSaint-Boniface 917Archibald Columbarium Traditionalplots/Lotstraditionnels Cremationplots/Lotspourcendres Sacred-HeartCemetery/CimetièreduSacré-Cœur 501Plinquet Traditionalplots/Lotstraditionnels Cremationplots/Lotspourcendres CatholicCemeteries/Cimetièrescatholiques CemeteriesOffice/Bureaudescimetières:190avedelaCathédrale Ph:(204)233-7304Fax:(204)231-1205info@cathedralestboniface.ca Cathédrale de Saint-Boniface Cemeteries' manager Pascale Dalcq says the grounds are historic and sacred. Photo by Darcy Finley By Kathryne Cardwell For the Free Press m ost Winnipeggers are familiar with St. Boniface's three historic cemeteries. You may even have taken a tour of one of the cemeteries to visit the final resting places of important historical figures such as "father of Manitoba" Louis Riel, Catholic Church archbishops and early settlers in the colony. What you may not have realized is that these beautiful, well-maintained heritage sites still have available plots for burials of caskets and cremation urns. "We carry so much history, especially the Cathedral Cemetery," says Pascale Dalcq, cemetery manager for the Cathédrale de Saint-Boniface Cemeteries. "It's a sacred place." The non-profit Cathédrale de Saint-Boniface manages St. Boniface Cemetery, Cathedral Cemetery and Sacred Heart Cemetery. All three sites follow the customs and traditions of the Catholic Church. They are open to all Catholic individuals and their family members, even if those family members embrace a different faith. And service is offered in English and French. The Cathedral Cemetery at 190 Cathedral Ave. is the oldest and best-known of the three burial grounds, located in front of the magnificent facade of the St. Boniface Cathedral. Established in 1888, it's the final resting place of Louis Riel, and the priests of the diocese are still buried here today, with their crypt located inside the cathedral itself. While the grounds no longer have plots available for traditional burials, the cemetery organization has recently installed a columbarium for interment of cremation urns. St. Boniface Cemetery, encompassing 20 acres of ground at 917 Archibald St., has space for traditional burials of caskets as well as cremation urns, and it has a columbarium wall for above-ground interment of cremation urns. Finally, the Sacred Heart Cemetery at 501 Plinquet St., along the Seine River, offers a peaceful waterside view to visitors. Though only about 14 acres in size, Sacred Heart still has traditional plots and columbarium spaces available for interment. Cathédrale de Saint-Boniface Cemeteries offers pre-planning services so individuals can make their funeral arrangements. Dalcq says she is seeing "more and more" people choosing to plan their own service in advance rather than leave the task to their families in a time of grief. And as a faith-based organization, cemetery staff believe that helping with your final arrangements is more of a ministry than a service. "We believe that every human being is sacred and that they deserve respect even after their death," Dalcq says. "Our staff truly enjoy their work, maintaining the grounds and making it a welcoming place. I've been working as a cemetery manager for 20 years, and it's so very special to be able to serve people in these times." For information about burial, cremation and other services, visit www.cathedralestboniface.ca. "Peacefulgarden-likesettingforyoutocome andreflectontreasuredmemoriesofthepast." CelebratingLife,AcknowledgingLoss 204-857-4021 56ROYALRD.S, PORTAGELAPRAIRIE PORTAGELAPRAIRIE Owen Paula Jeff FiNd histOric chOicEs At st. BONiFAcE cEmEtEriEs

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