Headstones in Peterborough & the Kawarthas: City, Lake and Cottage Country

Peterborough's city cemeteries — including historic Little Lake Cemetery — sit at the heart of the Kawarthas, while Lindsay, Bobcaygeon, Fenelon Falls, Lakefield and Havelock are served by small municipal, church and rural cemeteries.

How Ontario regulates cemeteries

In Ontario, cemeteries operate under the Funeral, Burial and Cremation Services Act, 2002, administered by the Bereavement Authority of Ontario (BAO). A few practical consequences for families:

• Every cemetery has by-laws. They cover memorial sizes, materials, foundations and installation, and the cemetery must make them available to you. Ask for them before you choose a design.
• You can buy from an independent supplier. Families may buy a monument from the cemetery or from an independent retailer or manufacturer; either way, it has to meet the cemetery's by-laws.
• Care and maintenance contributions. Ontario cemeteries collect a regulated contribution to their care and maintenance fund when larger markers and monuments are installed. Ask for the amount in writing alongside foundation and installation fees.

Our cemetery headstone rules guide has a checklist of questions to bring.

Rural cemetery tips

• Find the right contact. Small cemeteries are often run by a municipality or volunteer board.
• Ask about foundations — who pours them, the specification and the fee.
• Plan delivery access. Spring thaw can make lanes soft; installers may wait for firm ground.

Cottage families

Many families who rest in Kawartha cemeteries live elsewhere — Toronto, Ottawa or abroad. You can arrange everything remotely: design in our Design Studio, approve the proof by email, and we coordinate delivery. See ordering for a cemetery in another city.

Lake country designs

Loons, canoes, pines and lake scenes are favourite etched designs here — see nature lover ideas and custom etched scenes.

Factory-direct to Peterborough

Marwaa Memorials manufactures in our own factory and keeps finished monuments at our Pickering warehouse (visits by appointment). We deliver door-to-door across Ontario under DAP terms, with freight, customs and duties included. Plan the design in our Design Studio, request a quote, or call our Canada team via the contact page.

See the Peterborough service-area page, the Kawartha Lakes service-area page, our Durham Region guide and all Ontario service areas.