On March 13, 2023, the Council of the Corporation of the Township of Leeds and the Thousand Islands approved a Cemetery Grant Policy. Please find the most updated policy here.
This policy has established a fair and consistent process for the awarding of Cemetery Grants which will be used to support capital improvement and maintenance of non-municipally owned cemeteries within the Township. The intent of the policy is to assist those cemeteries that may be financially challenged to adequately maintain their cemetery.
Cemetery grant applications will be received once per year with a deadline of March 31st. The application period is closed for the remainder of 2024.
Eligibility
The application must be completed by the cemetery group, association or volunteer(s) representing the collective interests of the cemetery.
The cemetery must be registered with the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO) and provide the licence number on the application.
Active and inactive cemeteries located within the Township that function on a non-profit or volunteer basis are eligible to apply.
Application Process
Applications will be received for maintenance, improvements and/or repairs to a cemetery, including but not limited to:
- Headstone refurbishment;
- Landscaping repair;
- Fence repair; and
- Maintenance costs, including grass cutting.
Applicants must demonstrate the need for financial assistance through the provision of bank statements and/or financial records establishing the state of the current financial position of the cemetery.
The amount of Cemetery Grant approved thought the annual operating budget will be disbursed to the eligible applicants as follows:
- Base allocation of $300 per eligible application; and
- Approved annual budget amount less the base allocation amounts divided evenly and distributed based on the number of acres of land in each cemetery as verified by Staff.
Reporting
Grant recipients shall submit a follow-up report that details the accomplishments and includes an accounting of revenues and expenditures by March 31st of the following year.
Cemetery Grant Application Cemetery Grant Report
Cemetery operators are encouraged to complete the application online or print it off and mail or email the Municipal Clerk.