While Algonquin Highlands council appeared to support calls from the public to allow families to utilize the new gazebo at St. Stephen’s Cemetery as a gathering space for funeral ceremonies, they have deferred making a final decision pending further talks with local funeral directors and the Bereavement Authority of Ontario.
Township staffer Sarah Hutson brought a policy to a Jan. 15 council meeting, outlining how the structure can be used by the public. One of the key recommendations was to not allow caskets to be placed under the gazebo for a ceremony prior to burial in the recently-opened green burial section.
“The intention for the gazebo was to create a quiet, respectful space within the cemetery for reflection and contemplation, an area that any member of the community… may visit and appreciate,” Hutson wrote in her report.
“The development of this policy is important to limit the potential risks associated with the gazebo’s use, including safety concerns, liability considerations, and conflicts that may arise from unregulated activities.”
Under the policy, caskets carrying human remains would be required to be moved directly from a hearse to the burial site – with no allowance for it to be placed temporarily within the gazebo for any ceremony.
Terry Moore, president of the Haliburton Highlands Green Burial Society – which purchased and donated the gazebo to the township last year, said he wanted to see the policy altered to allow families to hold services in the gazebo.
He noted how, in March 2025, his family utilized the space for a private service before his wife, Shirley, was buried there.
“There were 13 members of our immediate family present… everyone took a seat on the benches and took turns sharing a short personal story about a memorable encounter with Shirley. It lasted maybe 30 minutes, after that the pallbearers moved the casket to the grave site for burial,” Moore said. “I can’t tell you how meaningful that opportunity was for my family and we would like to see the same thing extended to other families.”
He said utilizing the gazebo was the only way his 97-year-old mother could say a proper goodbye, noting she would not have been able to deliver her message at the gravesite.
Hutson said safety was one of the primary concerns, noting cemetery staff are the ones responsible for moving the coffin to the gravesite, assuming all risk during the process. Transporting coffins from site-to-site, especially during the winter months, carries extra risk, she noted.
Moore suggested families could seek approval from township staff before using the gazebo. Coun. Sabrina Richards, mayor Liz Danielsen and deputy mayor Jennifer Dailloux appeared supportive of the request, though called on staff to consult with local funeral directors – who, Hutson noted, are responsible for leading internments.
Moore also took issue with the policy stipulating the township reserves the right to limit the number of attendees at gatherings, though Hutson noted that would only be enforced during harsh winter weather, when space is at a premium.
Council discussed whether all taxpayers should be allowed to utilize the gazebo for services – not just those observing a green burial. Richards noted, since the gazebo is now a municipal asset, the township should not discriminate on who can use it.
CAO Angie Bird pointed out that, since the gazebo can be utilized by anyone at any time and, currently, cannot be booked for services, there’s potential for conflicts.
“It could happen where somebody is using the gazebo at the time somebody else wants to use it for a burial – it’s not likely, but it could happen… in that situation, it wouldn’t be up to the township to say, ‘you have to leave’,” Bird said.
The policy was deferred pending further discussions with stakeholders.
At the meeting, it was also noted the Friends of St. Stephen’s was donating $1,929.65 to the township to go towards the future purchase of a columbarium at the cemetery. The money was leftover funds the group had after turning over ownership of the church building to the township last year.
