Scattering ashes on Grand River part of Cambridge city council meeting
Posted Apr 14, 2021 07:00:00 PM.
On Tuesday, Cambridge city council met, and discussed many topics including scattering the cremated remains of loved ones in the Grand River.
Council heard from delegation Prakash Venkataraman, a member of the Hindu community, who wants people to be able to do this practice.
He mentioned he has spent seven months trying to get permission for the Hindu, Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities to be allowed to scatter ashes in the river, but it has been difficult because the river flows through many jurisdictions.
“All levels of government claim it is not in their jurisdiction when it comes to the ownership of the Grand River … so it's a grey area.”
The province does allow people to scatter ashes of loved ones on Crown property, such as provincial parks and the Great Lakes, but none of these types of areas exist in Waterloo Region.
As well, the city is working on a scattering garden at Parklawn Cemetery, however, Venkataraman mentioned he believes some people in the Hindu community would feel uncomfortable scattering ashes in a cemetery as the religious practice is to do it into a body of water.
He added the Hindu community has offered to donate $20,000 to build a shelter on the banks of the Grand River within Cambridge so families can scatter ashes in solitude.
Council unanimously passed a motion to look into the matter further, and to direct staff to consult with the conservation authority, Region of Waterloo, relevant Ontario ministries, and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.
