Headstones in Yellowknife and the Northwest Territories

Yellowknife sits on the ancient bedrock of the Canadian Shield, on the north shore of Great Slave Lake. Cemeteries here and across the Northwest Territories deal with rock, permafrost and a short summer.

Cemetery rules in the Northwest Territories

Cemeteries in the Northwest Territories are mostly run by municipalities, communities and churches, each with its own rules on memorial size, materials and installation. Get those rules in writing, ask who installs and when, and submit your design for approval before production. Our cemetery headstone rules guide has a checklist of questions.

Rock and permafrost

In places, graves and foundations must work around bedrock or permafrost. Ask the cemetery how monuments are set — some prefer flat markers or specific foundation methods. See headstone foundation requirements.

A short season

Most installations happen in summer. Order well ahead so the stone arrives in time.

Many communities

Dene, Métis, Inuvialuit and settler families each bring their own traditions, and inscriptions may include Indigenous languages. Have every word checked by a fluent speaker.

Mining and northern designs

Yellowknife grew on gold mining, and today's diamond mines employ many families. Pickaxes, headframes, the northern lights and lake scenes are popular choices. See headstone ideas for a miner.

Factory-direct to Yellowknife

Marwaa Memorials manufactures in our own factory and delivers door-to-door across Canada under DAP terms, with freight, customs and duties included — so the price you approve is the price delivered. Plan the design in our Design Studio, request a quote, or call our Canada team via the contact page. Read how DAP delivery works.

Local pages: Yellowknife and our Northwest Territories headstone guide.