The Town of Shaunavon has installed a Columbarium at Hillcrest Cemetery, just south of the town,  for those wanting above ground internment.

A Columbarium is a free-standing structure that consists of compartments, or niches, designed to hold urns containing cremated remains.

Tara Fritz is the Chief Administrative Officer for the Town of Shaunavon. She says, "We have adopted the new Cemetery Bylaw with the fees and schedules related to the cremated remains within the Columbarium. So, right now,  we have adopted that one Columbarium niche is set at $2500."

Each niche can hold up to two urns. The Columbarium is constructed of polished granite and Fritz says the design allows for 64 niche units. All niches are double sealed and bolted with tamper-proof hardware for security.

Total cost of the Columbarium and the pad it's on was approximately $30,000 and there is room for two more Columbariums on the pad if the need arises.